Question on grooming pigs

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hi, I am 9 years old and have a 4H assignment about grooming pigs.Pig books don't have any information on this.How do you do it, what tools do you use, and what is it that you do?Anybody that has any info on this, please e-mail me. Thank You Michael Morey

-- Michael Morey (www.wind_crest@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002

Answers

Found this on the Net for you... did a search for Show Pig Grooming...

Cleaning. It is best to give the pig a good scrubbing two or three times before the fair. Start about one week before the show and do the last washing after you arrive at the show. It usually requires more than one washing to remove all the dirt and dandruff from the pig. Grooming. The animal’s hair coat will show more bloom if you begin brushing the pig prior to show time. Brushing also will help gentle the animal. Brush the hair coat in its normal direction. Never part it on the back. Clip the animal’s tail from switch to tail setting if desired. The inside and outside of the ears also can be clipped.

To give a pig a glossy hair coat, apply transparent oil to darker hogs. The oil can be mineral oil or a non-detergent motor oil. Never leave a large amount of oil on the pig. The best way to apply oil is to soak a rag and rub it over the pig. If too much oil is applied, take a dry rag and rub some off. White pigs and white areas on dark pigs can be dusted with a white powder to give the animals a nice appearance. Here again, too much powder is not desirable. Sometimes a good washing makes the pig just as attractive. Before entering the ring. Prior to entering the show ring, the exhibitor should brush the pig clean of all straw and clean its feet of excess mud or manure. T

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002.


Here is a web site by Iowa State University, University Extension, http://www1.ics.uci.edu/~pazzani/4H/Pigs.html and another site by Colorado State Extension, http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/PUBS/EXTE4H/11011.pdf., maybe these will answer some of your questions.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), January 21, 2002.

Why not see if you can contact whoever competed in your area county fair and ask them how they do it. Your 4-H leader should be able to put you in touch with some of them. Preferably the one who won the showing portion of the competition. When my son was learning, the kids who had won the last two years showed him what to do and what not to do. And when my son won the next competition, he was the one showing the younger kids how it's done. That's one of the best parts of 4-H competitions.

-- Fran (on MD's Eastern Shore) (simpleplesurzfrm@dmv.com), January 21, 2002.

Hi, My name is Tim and I have been showing pigs in Ohio for about 3 years. I'm glad that you are finding an intrest in the showing business! The basics of grooming is the get a decent show pig brush you can find at basically any Farm store. Always brush your pig with water every day just to let them get a feel for the grooming process. Then, if you really want to get into it I recommend subscribing to the Farm catalog called PBS. They have some very good show produsts to shine and even straighten your pigs hair. I also recommend clipping the week of the fair or livestock show. (check with your 4H rules for the reqiered hair length) At my show you are not alowed using powder. but you can check on your rules. If you need any more info, you can post other questions.

-- tim (wysfarm@yahoo.com), January 21, 2002.

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