The Hays Free Press

SELECTING PROSPECTS AND PREPARING
THEM FOR THE NEXT FALL HOG SHOWS

Some Timely Suggestions on the Subject From an Agricultural College Expert

Picking The Individuals How Candidates for Exhibition Purposes Should Be Handled and Fed.

[By W. L. Blizzard, Animal Husbandry Department. K. S. A. C.]

How to prepare show barrows that will take prizes is a subject of interest to every breeder of fine hogs.

The method required for a pig under six months is different from that needed for one in the class for animals twelve months and under eighteen months.

In order to compete successfully in an important show, you must have well chosen and skillfully finished hogs.

In the under-six-months class, as in all others, the aim is to secure the hogs are ready to drive into the show ring. To secure the greatest size, together with the desirable finish, it is well necessary to crowd strenuously, but carefully, from the time the hogs are born until show time. The dam must be fed liberally on milk-producing feeds, and at the earliest possible age the pigs should be taught to eat grain.

A creep should be provided where they may have access to grain.

A good combination of feed for the pigs is 50 per cent corn, 45 per cent shorts, and 5 per cent tankage, measured by weight. This mixture should be made into a slop with milk. By making the slop rather thin, feeding capacity will be developed.

The method of feeding after weaning will be similar to that followed before weaning. The pigs must be kept growing and fattening and must not become hard. The appetites and peculiarities of each individual must be carefully studied, and the pigs should never be allowed to get off feed.

During the thirty days previous to the show a change should be made in the ration. This change should be made gradually. A combination that has proved satisfactory for the new ration is 70 per cent corn, 25 per cent shorts, and 5 per cent tankage. There is nothing better than milk to put finish on young hogs, and its use should be continued throughout the feeding period. Pasture should be provided as long as possible.

While they are running in pasture the hogs will get considerable exercise, but will not take a sufficient amount during the finishing period. When the weather will permit, it is worth while to give show barrows an early morning walk.

No radical changes should be made in the feed, either in kind or in quantity. Care should be exercised to prevent pneumonia.

If houses are properly ventilated and are kept in a sanitary condition, and the hogs are kept from piling, there will be little danger of pneumonia.

Trouble is sometimes experienced with rheumatism. A simple preventive treatment will do away with this.

Sometimes the mistake of crowding too hard during the first six months is made.

Wormy hogs never make good show hogs.

Avoid getting off feed before show time in a thrifty growing condition until about four months before show time, when the finishing period should begin. They should then be crowded to the limit with fat-producing feeds, but great care must be taken to keep them from getting off feed. This finishing period may be started with a ration consisting of 62 per cent corn, 30 per cent shorts and 8 per cent tankage.

The percentage of corn should be increased gradually until time for the show. If the best possible finish is desired, milk and pasture must be provided.

The early feeding and management of the barrows to be shown in the class of animals twelve months and under eighteen months, is very similar to that of the class just described.

Sometimes a somewhat different type is selected for this class. Early maturity is not so important as is the case in the other classes, but a type must be selected that will insure plenty of size with quality at show time. Hogs of this type usually finish out smoother at a late age because they are slow feeders. The finishing period should extend over a period of about six months, and the method and ration should be the same as suggested for barrows six months and under twelve months.

A different method of handling is required for a pig under six months from that needed for one in the class for animals twelve months and under eighteen months.