How to Care for Your 4-H Pig

Raising a 4-H pig will teach a youth valuable lessons about responsibility.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pig Dusting Powders
• Pig Wormer
• Straws
• Animal Water Buckets
• Wood Shavings
• Large Bucket
• Large Bucket

1. Provide a clean, dry, draft-free shelter for pigs. Despite their reputation, pigs need clean living quarters.

2. Provide bedding, such as straw or wood shavings, for warmth if temperature drops below 60 degrees F.

3. Provide water for your pig to lie in if temperatures are above 80 degrees F. This is how pigs cool themselves.

4. Feed your pig using a clean feeder located where the pig is unable to soil its food.

5. Provide fresh drinking water at all times. Keep water in a large water trough that can't be turned over, or purchase a self-watering barrel.

6. Check pigs weekly for lice or mange mites. Dust with lice dust if necessary. Check with local feed store for a good brand.

7. Worm pig at least once before you show it. You can use a wormer you mix in feed.

8. Check with veterinarian about vaccinations your pig needs.

9. Walk your pig around its pen to build muscle tone - something judges look for in show pigs.

Tips & Warnings

• Feed and water your pig daily - twice daily is a good feeding practice.
• Give your pig attention. Pigs love to be scratched and played with.
• Pigs will root up grass, turning a once grassy pen into an all-dirt area. Place pigpen where you don't mind not having any grass.

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on 8/24/2007 I have a minature potbellie pig and he runs around with the dogs all day long.

on 8/8/2006 Like us, pigs sunburn. But they burn twice as easy. It's good to have lots of shade and cold water during the summer. Like horses and cows, pigs will also sleep in the sun, this results in a major sun burn. However, a serious sunburn can effect the nerves of a pig, causing them to stumble and fall, and often times their hind end will collapse out from under them. This may cause permanent damage to your pig if continued. It is very scary and sad to watch. Also like us, you can use aloe vera sunburn lotion on them. It feels just as good to them as it does on our sunburns. It is also a good idea to use fly powder during the spring and summer, to keep bloat flies from getting under your pigs skin and laying eggs. Good luck.

on 7/1/2006 If your pig stops walking in the middle of the show ring, get down and speak softly to the pig. This develops a voice recognition and bond with the pig.

on 3/20/2006 The best thing you can do to prepare your pig for the show is to give it a massage every once in a while. Seriously! Rub your hands over all parts of the pig, gently or vigorously as your pig prefers and talk to it while you are doing it. Pigs love it and they will become very familiar with you. Maybe 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a week, or more if you have time, should do the trick. You will soon learn what your pigs sweet spot is (behind the ears is a favorite). Feeding time is a great opportunity. I promise you will have the most friendly and well socialized pig at the show.

on 2/7/2006 If you want your pigs to not run from you, and go wherever you want them to go, all you have to do is work with them every day. You should be able to let them out and they should not run like raging maniacs, just get them out every single day and you'll be just fine!!