Showing Pigs
Showing pigs is a great family project. Young livestock enthusiasts get to meet new friends, travel to different places they have never been before, and spend time with their family and friends. Showing pigs teaches young people the responsibility of caring for another living being. It involves daily feedings, washing, exercising and forming a bond that can only be formed over sharing a daily marshmallow.
Showing pigs today isn’t the same as when Wilbur was loaded up in a wooden crate and hauled to the county fair in the children’s classic, “Charlotte’s Web.” It isn’t even the same as it was a decade ago. Times change, and so do the trends. Showing pigs is very competitive across the United States, with many elite breeders fine-tuning their genetic show pig offering each season. With the use of artificial insemination (AI), and many breeders using the same boars, litters of pigs are often closely related. That means the exhibitors and feeders have their work cut out for them at home to make it to the backdrop.
Sure Champ® Can Help
At Sure Champ, we are passionate about our own show livestock projects. We spend countless hours in chip barns sorting baby pigs, looking for the ideal show pig prospect. Once we get those little pigs home, we break them and spend countless hours walking pigs back and forth in our grassy backyards. We determine days on feed, get the right rations calculated, wash, brush and repeat. At BioZyme, makers of Sure Champ, our team is made up of people just like you.
We understand the hours of time and dedication required to get an animal ready. Every species is different, yet they all take time, passion, and determination. Showing pigs probably takes a little extra patience. It takes some extra bonding early on, especially since you have nothing but your whip to control your pig with—no halter, no chain.
At Sure Champ, we know champions are made at home. There is a champion inside each and every exhibitor. It takes fortitude and knowledge to succeed. We hope you find this blog filled with the information you need as you #PreptoWin.
Acclimate Your Pigs to Their Surroundings
Once you have selected and purchased your new show pigs and brought them to your barn, it is time to get them used to their environment. This can be a stressful time in their lives, but with a little TLC, you can make it far less intense for your new pigs.
Make sure the exhibitor spends time with the new show pig project daily. For the first few days, this might look like the exhibitor simply sitting in the pen with the pig, getting it used to the sight, sound, and smell of the exhibitor. Some kids simply sit in the pens and talk to their pigs. Others will sit on a bucket in the pen and read a book out loud, and by day 3 or 4, they will start brushing their pig.
Slowly start introducing the whip to your pig. First, do this in the pen, slowly moving it around the pen. By days 8 or 9, you should start walking your pig up and down the aisleway of your barn, and if you have indoor wash racks, start rinsing your pig to get it accustomed to the wash rack.
Breaking your Pig to Drive
Perhaps one of the more challenging tasks of a new show pig project is breaking your show pig. However, our Sure Champ team concurs that this task is easier the younger the pigs are when you start working with them. Follow these 6 steps for successful pig breaking.
1. Start Early
You want your project completely comfortable around you or any judges by the time you are showing. Pigs are smart but stubborn—it’s best to start early. While it is important to start early, make sure your pigs are tame and used to people. That is why it is so important for your exhibitors to work with them in their pens first.
2. Don’t Let Them Run
Try your best to avoid them running from their pens when you are getting them out. Running from their pens into an open area creates a bad habit that can carry over into the show ring. One of the best ways to prevent your pig from running—and a good rule of thumb in the early breaking stages—is to use two whips. Using a whip on each side of the pig’s face is a good way to teach control and teach the pig to keep its head up.
3. Use a Good Whip
When initially breaking your pigs, we recommend using a sturdier whip. There is about as many types of whips as there are breeds of pigs. However, starting with a shorter, firmer whip gives you more control over your pig. Once your pig is broke to drive, you can transition to a different whip that better suits your style.
4. Whip Placement is Key
Where you tap your pig is important in teaching it to drive and ensuring it has good habits for the rest of its show career. Tap your pig under its nose to keep it going with its head up. Keeping its head up is key to a good presentation.
Also tap it on its side to get it going – never on its butt, as that can cause it to hump up, which is not good for presentation.
Tapping your pig on top of its head will teach it to lower its head to the ground. The last thing you want is a show pig with its head down. Whip placement is key, and it is important when practicing walking your pig at home like you would at any show you want to win.
If you want the pig to turn left, tap it on the right side of its head. If you want it to turn right, tap it on the left side. Teaching it with whip
5. Start Small and Build Up
Start walking your pig in a small, enclosed pen so it gets used to driving with the whip. Once it is used to driving in a smaller area, move to a larger area like your yard or pasture so it can get used to walking in bigger and less enclosed areas like it would at fairgrounds.
The same principle applies to the amount of time you work with each pig. Work each pig for up to 5 minutes the first week, focusing on getting it to drive with the whip and keeping its head up. Add another 5 minutes each week so that your pig and your exhibitor each build stamina and can ultimately walk for 30 minutes without getting tired. Depending on the size and caliber of your show or the decision-making skills of the judge, your pig might be required to drive for a longer time, and you will want it to be able to do so with ease.
6. Parents are Encouraged to Help
We always encourage young people to do their own work when showing pigs. However, there is one time that it is best for parents or experienced siblings to step up to the plate—breaking baby pigs. For the first few weeks of breaking a young show pig, we suggest the parents do the work. This helps the pig get into good habits and prevents both the pig and the showman from becoming frustrated and wanting to throw in the whip.
Daily Care for Skin & Hair
Wilbur might not have made much of a first impression at the county fair because he was a basic white pig without a hint of sheen on him. Today, showing pigs is competitive, and first impressions count. Show pig skin care should be a big part of your daily routine.
Since we know champions are made at home, we recommend you spend time on a hair and skin routine daily. Some will argue that washing daily dries out the skin; others will say that washing daily with a conditioning shampoo promotes healthy skin.
Choose the shampoo that you like best. Some pig exhibitors use inexpensive human shampoo like Suave, while others use livestock shampoo from a show supplier. Rinse your animal down, then soap it from snout to tail using a soft brush. Scrub any excess dirt or manure from the skin and hair to ensure it stays clean.
Once you have soaped up your pig and feel it is clean, rinse thoroughly to be sure all the soap is off. Try to prevent water from getting in the pig’s ears.
When you finish washing, dry your pig. You can do this one of 3 ways: with a towel, with a blower, or by letting it air dry.
Brushing your pig and adding a skin conditioning agent daily is very important to its overall appearance. However, in hot climates, do not use an oil-based product since it will intensify the heat. There are several products on the market. Use the one that works best for you and your budget, and make sure to brush the product into the skin thoroughly.
For white pigs, don’t use a hard-bristled brush, as it will leave red marks.
Nutrition Matters
Feeding your pig is a big part of the success of showing pigs. Keeping them on feed is vital, and keeping them hydrated is key to keeping them eating.
Water is the most essential nutrient for all livestock. Although different watering systems are available, from gravity flow to a pressure system, the most important thing to remember is to keep water fresh, clean, and available at all times. In the winter, make sure your pipes don’t freeze, and if the water system relies on electricity, make sure that the power source is always working.
When it comes to feeding, you have lots of options. Each exhibitor or feeder will likely find his or her feed of choice based on experience, recommendation, convenience, or price. When you first bring young show pig prospects home, start them on a starter feed that contains 16-20% protein.
You will want to feed each show pig about 4 to 8 pounds daily, split into two equal feedings. We recommend feeding your animals as close to 12 hours apart as possible and on a consistent schedule. For example, if you feed them at 7 a.m., feed again at 7 p.m., and keep that schedule. Observe them as they eat and watch for anything unusual. Give them an allotted amount of time to eat, and after that time, if they don’t finish, take their feed away from them. This teaches them not to “play” with their food and to be efficient eaters.
Supplementing Nutrition
Several supplements are on the market in addition to feed. We recommend a few to help you keep your pig healthy and performing.
Sure Champ® is a line of products that supports the health and well-being of show livestock. This product line is powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. Sure Champ products help keep your animal healthy and performing by enhancing their digestive system. Since we know that 70% of the immune response is found in the gut, if your animal’s digestive system is healthy, the rest of it will also be healthy.
Here are a few Sure Champ supplements we recommend for performance:
Sure Champ® Extreme with ClariFly®
Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly is a pelleted, daily supplement for show livestock with Clarifly designed to support hoof health, hair coat, and performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Designed for all species, it contains Amaferm and MOS to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system. It also contains HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils and garlic, as well as ClariFly to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge.
Sure Champ® Liquid Boost®
Sure Champ Liquid Boost is a liquid for all livestock designed to provide immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. Formerly known as Vita Charge Liquid Boost, it contains both Amaferm and MOS, and it contains flavoring to help drive the intake of feed or water.
Sure Champ® Appetite Plus Gel
Sure Champ Appetite Plus Gel is a gel for all livestock designed to provide immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. Formerly known as Vita Charge Gel, it contains both Amaferm and MOS and works fast to support appetite and hydration.
Sure Champ® Climate Control Gel
Sure Champ Climate Control Gel is a gel for all livestock designed to support digestive health and recovery when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Formerly known as Vita Charge Climate Control, this gel contains Amaferm and HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils, to support animals when heat is a challenge. It promotes appetite and water intake.
Sure Champ® Clench Gel
Sure Champ Clench Gel is a gel for all livestock designed to support normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea/scours. Formerly known as Vita Charge Clench Gel, it includes Amaferm and MOS, and it contains electrolytes to support rehydration.
Sure Champ® Joint Juice
Sure Champ Joint Juice is a liquid product for livestock designed to support joint health utilizing patented technology. Joint Juice contains MHB3®, a patented high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. It lubricates joints and supports mobility and soundness.
Health & Cleanliness
You’ve selected your show pig; you know how to work its skin and hair and the importance of a good nutritional program. Now, it’s time to focus on providing a healthy, clean environment for your show pig to grow and thrive.
Be sure to put your pigs on clean, dry shavings. It is important to scrape or pick out waste from each pen daily. Do you like to sit in wet shavings? Neither do your pigs. Keep a wheelbarrow nearby to put the waste into and keep it outside, away from the door.
Keep fans blowing in the same direction to keep the air flowing and help prevent flies. If the flies are too pesky, you can apply a fly spray to your pigs.
Finally, have a health protocol in place. A healthy pig is one that is on a good nutrition program, has a clean environment, and will grow and perform. If you have questions about a health program, reach out to your pig breeder or a local veterinarian.
Biosecurity: Returning from a Show
Returning home from a show offers challenges to your barn, especially if you have pigs that stayed at home this time. You don’t want to bring unwanted germs or diseases back into your healthy barn.
Quarantine
The first line of defense against introducing outside diseases and contaminants into your barn is to quarantine animals that have traveled. Pen them away from the other pigs, preferably in another building. If that is not an option, put them in the same area of your barn together, avoiding nose-to-nose contact between pigs that have traveled and other pigs that have not.
Disinfect
Disinfect the animals and supplies that are coming back into the barn. If you do have an outside wash rack, wash each animal with disinfecting soap before it comes back in. The same is true for any show supplies that you take with you, including feed pans, water buckets, brushes, sprayers, and whips.
One family on the Sure Champ team even goes so far as to have shoes exclusively for their home barn and shoes they wear to shows. The shoes that go to shows are disinfected when they get home, and they don’t ever go to their barn.
Showing Pigs is Fun
Showing pigs is fun. It also teaches responsibility and work ethic and builds lasting memories with family and friends. Perhaps the best part is watching the hard work pay off when the judge selects you and your project as champions.
Make your Champions at Home
Although showing pigs is fun, it also takes work to get to the backdrop. Breaking a pig to drive, perfecting hair and skin and finding a feed routine that works for your barn are all part of making your champion at home. We hope that part of your routine will include Sure Champ products.
You can get your Sure Champ products as easily as ordering online today.
Do you prefer to support a local Sure Champ dealer? Find a dealer near you to find all your favorite Sure Champ and other BioZyme products.
Want to stay current on all of our educational blogs and news? Sign up for our newsletter.
