Raising Quality Showpigs

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Although there is a lot that goes into showing and raising livestock, specifically show pigs, it is one of the most fun experiences that a person could have! When you think of raising pigs, most people wouldn’t think about all of the time, money, and equipment that are needed for this project, but in the end, all of that will pay off. Before deciding to join the “show pig world”, you should consider picking out that perfect hog, taking proper care of your pig, and showing your pig properly at the county fair or jackpot show! Before you pick up your show pig, there are several important items that you should make sure that you have for your hog! One of the most important things for any animal, especially show pigs, is properly built shelter, so that they can get out of any harsh weather conditions or sun bathe when the weather is warm. Like any human being or animal, it is important to eat and drink on a daily basis. Although it is up to the showman to determine what source will be used to supply the pig with food and water, there is no doubt that the pig should have a proper feed and water source. You should also make sure that you have a show stick of choice so that you can exercise your hog daily and fitting equipment to ensure that your hog looks spotless come show day! The pig’s pen should be an ideal size to hold a 250 pound animal, which would be about 8ft x 12ft. Since the weather can be unpredictable, the pen should have both a shaded and an open area so that the pig is able to choose where he wants to go! There should be both an area for the pig’s bedding and an area for the pig to go to the bathroom, but the most important thing is that there is enough room for the hog to move around comfortably, since that is w... ... middle of paper ... ...s of your pig, but be sure to show all of the positive features first! Most importantly, stay relaxed and have fun!! Raising and showing pigs will teach you so many valuable lessons that you cannot get anywhere else, so following a few steps to ensure that the pig is properly taken care of is well worth it in the end! Although raising livestock does take a lot of time, money, and equipment, it will all pay off well in the end! You should always consider what to look for in a show pig, how to properly care for it throughout the year, and how to show it at your local county fair or jackpot show! Works Cited http://grimes.agrilife.org/files/2011/03/pig_show.pdf http://lasalle.agrilife.org/files/2011/07/How_Raise_Show_Pigs_7.pdf http://lindnerfeed.com/pigfeeds.html http://www.showpig.com/ http://www.thejudgingconnection.com/pdfs/Basic_Show_Pig_Feeding.pdf

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