RICH COUNTY 4-H
SHOW PIG SELECTION
Darrell Rothlisberger
Breeds of Pigs
 There
are many breeds..
 Hampshire
 Duroc
 Yorkshire
 Chester
 Crossbreed
Hampshire
Duroc
Yorkshire
Chester
Crossbred – York x Hamp
Selection Criteria
Muscle
Frame
Structural
Correctness
Capacity
Movement
Style
& Balance
Parts of the Pig
Back
Loin
Neck
Shoulder
Rump
Rib
Ham
Jowl
Forearm
Flank
Hock
Muscle
This
is what you are selling to
the consumer
Select a pig that is moderate to
heavy muscled
Know the indicators of muscle
Indicators of Muscle
Groove
Dimple
Stifle / Ham
Wide Based
The groove!
Frame
Length
and Height
Select a pig that is
Long
Tall
bodied
Structural Correctness
How
the pig is put together
A pig should move with ease
Take long strides
Joints should be clean and be
at the proper angle
Structural Correctness
Good
Poor
Notice angle to joints…
Capacity
Movement
Style and Balance
A hog
that has style and
balance:
Holds
its head up when walking
Smooth in its overall appearance
Be clean made through
shoulders, jowl, top line and
underline
Style and Balance
Nutrition
Five
basic nutrients for pigs
Water
Protein
Energy
Minerals
Vitamins
Do not feed scraps, garbage or other foods to show pigs
Water
 The
most important nutrient
 Must be available clean and fresh at
all times
 Best if it is available
through a nipple
 Don’t let them step in
or lay in their water
Protein
 Provide
material to build tissue
 Hair,
hooves, skin, muscle,
internal organs
 When
in the growing stages protein levels need to be
higher
 When in the finishing stages protein needs to be lower
Protein Levels
Weight of Pig
Recommended
Protein level
Up to 100 lbs
18-24%
100 to 150
18-20%
150 to market
16-18%
These levels may need adjusting depending on your
pigs specific needs and requirements
Proteins and Amino Acids
 Proteins
are made up of
Amino Acids
 Pigs need amino acids to
utilize protein
 There are 20 different
amino acids
 Lysine is the most important
 Be sure your feed has Amino Acids
Metabolizable Energy ME or
Fat
 Levels
need to be between 3% and
6.5%
 Growing pigs need more ME
 Finishing Pigs need less ME
Metabolizable Energy ME or
Fat
 Important
for body maintenance,
growth, movement and heat production
 Efficient use of Energy depends on
levels of protein
 Remember… Most commercially
prepared show pig feeds feeds will be
well balanced with regards to protein
and energy levels
Minerals
 Important
for bone growth and
other body functions
 Calcium
Phosphorus
 Salt
Iron
 Manganese
Zinc
 Copper
Iodine
 Selinium
Vitamins
 Important
for performance, growth and
body functions
 11 Major Vitamins
 A, D, E, K, riboflavin, pantothenic acid
 choline, B12, biotin, folic acid
Facilities and Pen Preparation
 Provide
protection from
extreme weather
conditions
 Provide good
shade and
protection from
sun as well as
wind
Facilities and Pen Prep (con’t)
 Pen
needs to be safe and clean
 Make sure there are no sharp objects
where the pig can injure themselves
Facilities and Pen Prep (con’t)
 Two
weeks prior to
arrival
 Disinfect
pen, fences and
structures with a bleach
mixture of 1 part bleach
with 4 parts water.
 Spray this liberally over all
areas
Facilities and Pen Prep (con’t)
 Keep
pen clean of trash and
manure at all times.
 Pigs will defecate in one part
of pen so it is easy to keep clean
 Keep pen surface soft . . .
 Good
pen bedding can be sand, wood
chips or shavings or well tilled soil
Facilities and Pen Prep (con’t)
Early care of your new pig
 Spend
time with your pig throughout the
project
 Get to know them so they will be used
to you and know who you are.
Feeding Methods
 A self
feeder is the best
way to feed show pigs
 It keeps feed clean and
dry
 It is always ready and
plentiful
 NOTE: you must check
daily to insure proper
feed availability
Feeding
Spray them down
with cool water
three times a day.
Also keep their
pens wet down to
keep dust away
On hot days pigs
will not eat well.
Exercise
 Only
exercise
when it is cool
 Use a cane or
driving
instrument
when
exercising
Basic Equipment

Feeder
 Water barrel w/
nipple
 Show bat
 Spray bottle or
pump sprayer

Brush
 Shampoo
 Shallow Rubber
Feed Pan
 Water bucket
 Hair Conditioner or
light oil
 Water hose
Health
 There
are several very important
vaccinations your pig should have had
before you bought them
 Atropic
Rhinitis
 Ecoli
 Dysentary
 Pseudo-rabies
 Parvovirus
 Erysipelas
 De-worming
Health
Check
with your breeder
Ask if your pig has had
vaccinations
If purchasing from out of state:
Ask
if they are a certified herd
This means that all animals are
free of Brucellocis and Pseudorabies
Is my pig sick?

Pig goes off feed
 Quits drinking
 Gets scours
 Off by themselves and laying down

WHO SHOULD I CALL?…
 Local Veterinarian, Breeder, Leader, Ag
Teacher, Extension 4-H Agent

Papers and Regulations

Be sure to get a proper bill of sale from the
seller
 Brand inspection papers are not required on
Pigs
 If purchasing from out of state be sure to
follow the requirements mandated by law by
the Utah Department of Agriculture. For
more information call the state vet at
(801) 538.7100 See Darrell for details
Rich County Junior Livestock
Schools and Skillathon

June 14-17, 2005
 Rich County
Fairgrounds
 Demonstrations
 Lectures by experts
 Hands on instruction
 Showmanship
 Fitting
 Feeding
Rebel Jackpot

June 18, 2005
 Rich County
Fairgrounds
 Swine 8:00 AM
 Steers 10:00 AM
 Lambs 2:00 PM
 Pigs and Lambs $10
 Steers $25