By weighing your pigs every week or every two weeks, you will know how well your pigs are doing and, at the same time, your pigs will become accustomed to you, making it easier for you to show them. Handling your pigs in various situations (such as getting them in and out of scales ) will improve your showmanship skills. This will make hogs easier to drive at the fair when you must place them in pens at the show ring.
Make sure that your pigs are getting plenty of exercise to increase muscle development. One way to assure yourself that your pigs are getting the correct amount of exercise is to load them in a trailer and start them out about 150 yards from their pen, then drive the pigs back to their pen. When you start this process, make sure that it is cool enough that your pigs don't overheat. Early morning or late evening are the best times to do this.
Increase the distance gradually up to no more than one quarter of a mile and you will be pleasantly surprised with the overall increase in muscle development. By walking your pigs, you will also get them accustomed to being drive, just like in the show ring, and ultimately this will improve your chances in the showmanship contests at your local fairs.
Keep your pigs on an excellent diet that is correctly balanced in amino acids, proteins and fat to assure that your animals can reach their genetic potential when show time rolls around.
