How to Care for Your 4-H Market Hog
Raising a hog as a 4-H project is a rewarding venture, and addresses each of the core areas that National 4-H seeks to cultivate in youth: head, heart, hands and health. Founded to complement the classroom study of science with outdoor, practical projects, 4-H has partnered with local schools, state extension services and the United States Department of Agriculture to develop an extra-scholastic curriculum that gives students hands-on experience in agricultural, environmental and engineering tasks. Additionally, the programs enhance management skills, leadership qualities and outdoors experience. To raise a swine and guide it to the point of competition in a county or state fair tests physical strength, knowledge of the animal, emotional endurance and patience. This project also requires the scientific talents for observation and recording. Indeed, many participants report being stronger and wiser for the experience.
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Things You'll Need
- Garden hose (to wash off pig)
- Scrub brush
- Mild soap, such as Orvus
- Clippers
- Cane
- Rags (to wash out ears and wipe off feet)
- Water bucket
- Feed pan
Instructions
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Select the breed you wish to raise. The breeds are broadly divided by general appearance. Dark breeds like Berkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, Poland China and Spot are known for sturdiness and healthier fat-to-meat ratios. White breeds, known for fertility and nurturing natures, include Chester White, Landrance and Yorkshire. Each breed has strengths and drawbacks. Seek out information on the pig's ancestors. Consult your 4-H advisor or hog-showing veterans.
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Monitor your hog's appearance vigilantly during the first 2 to 3 weeks of the project. Hair should be sleek, tails tightly curled and eyes bright. Take its temperature daily, a normal temperature will hover around 102.5 degrees F.
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Familiarize yourself with fair guidelines for showing hogs. Coordinate feeding with the scheduled show date. For example, if you purchase a piglet at 50 pounds and it must weigh 200 pounds by the fair date, 100 days away, you must make sure the animal gains about 1.5 pounds daily. This is keeping with the average weight gain for a pig in sound health.
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Keep the hog's environment as quiet and stable as possible. Nothing compromises the swine immune system like stress. Its shelter should be cleaned on a daily, if not twice-daily, basis, maintaining an average temperature of 70 degrees F until it reaches about 125 pounds, at which point it can be lowered to 60 degrees F.
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Keep a supply of fresh and clean water, free of impurities, on hand at all times. Copious amounts of water are necessary for the growth and health of your pig.
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Give the hog a good washing from time to time with clean water and mild soap. This is especially important just before showing, but regular cleansing will make the pre-fair bath less stressful for the animal and, incidentally, less work for you. Take care to keep water out of the ear canals, as penetration may cause the swine to lose its balance.
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Walk your hog daily, not only for exercise, but to rehearse for the fair. The pig's pace, balance and gait will all be evaluated when you bring it to be shown. Use a staff or cane to gently prod it if it weaves too much or gets distracted.
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Clip excess hair from the tail and inside the ears. Be careful not to over-groom. Judges prefer to see your hog in its "work clothes."
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Tips & Warnings
Feed can be fortified with anti-bacterial medication for the early stages of the hog's growth. After 125 pounds, wean them off the medicated feed and switch to feed with a higher protein content.
Do not be shy about calling your veterinarian if the pig behaves unusually, registers a high temperature or looks tired or depressed. The vet should be experienced in large-animal practice.
References
Resources
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