Question: We have about 28 days until our fair. We have three barrows that are about 185 to 200 pounds. Our weight limit is 270 lbs. I am currently feeding Showpig 16 L200 topdressed with about 1 lb of Champion Drive and 1 lb of power fuel per day. The barrows seem to be growing good but need more top. Am I on the right track or should I change their diet. I was planning on adding Paylean in about another week. Is that feasable? Thank you for your input.
Answer: Jim,
Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products.
It sounds like you are on the right path. It also depends upon what needs to be done in the pigs. If you need a lot of help with top shape and muscle, then 21 days on Paylean should do it.
If you just need to tweak muscle and add more shape and crispness, then 14 days on Paylean should work.
I suggest adding 1 lb per day High Octane Fitter 35 along with what you are feeding now. Fitter 35 helps increase the total amount of muscle, while Champion Drive does a great job at improving the shape of muscle, especially the pigs top.
When you begin Paylean, I would also increase the Power Fuel to 1 lb per day to keep the adding muscle soft.
Question: This morning my pig tilted his head to the side while walking and kept it that way for approximately 5 minutes while I was working him. Also his eye has been bloodshot every 2 weeks for about 3 days then clears up. We have another pig that shares the same pen, his eyes have not got red so I do not think it is pink eye. The pen has been cleaned of straw and is cleaned twice daily. We are 6 days out from fair and not sure what to do about his head and eyes.
Answer: Rachel,
Thank you for your question.
Sometimes when pigs get water and or dirt/sand in their ears this will cause them to tilt their heads. Water is usually the culprit. It is very easy to get water into the pigs ear during washing.
As for the eyes, it could be blowing dirt or sand. I suggest contacting your local veterinarian if this problem persists.
Question: We have a gilt at 240 and averaging 1.4 lb gain. We have 14 days until fair. Would like to get to approximately 270 lbs. She has good muscle but needs some cover as well as filled in at her ham/loin junction. Not sure if we should top dress with powerfill or use as full feed. Have a barrow at 270 lbs and want to keep to 1 lb gain. Needs tightened up a little especially in jowl. Have him on 2.25 lbs powerfill, 1 lb fitter 35 per day.
Answer: Joanne,
Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products.
The first pig can gain a little over 2 lbs per day over the next 14 days. I suggest the following diet for adding cover and keeping the pig developing:
(TOTAL FEED PER DAY; DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL FEEDINGS MORNING AND EVENING):
HONOR Show Chow Powerfill 2 lbs
HONOR Show Chow Showpig Finisher 2 lbs
High Octane Power Fuel 1 lbs
High Octane Champion Drive 1 lbs
For the second pig, I believe you are feeding the correct diet. You also can add a little beet pulp is you desire.
Question: I need a supplement to hold a pig for an October show to add to his feed so that he will not be as hungry and to fill out his gut. I was told to purchase Power Fill, but all I see is Power Fuel. Is that the same thing?
Answer: Jeana,
Thank you for your question and interest in HONOR Show Chow products.
No, HONOR Show Chow Powerfill is not the same thing as High Octane Power Fuel. Powerfill is a complete feed when used for holding/limiting weight gain, and Power Fuel is a high fat topdress.
I have attached some information for your use on Powerfill and our other products. Please take a look and let me know if you need more information.
Question: My daughter has a Duroc barrow that looks real nice. He is wide and square. He just needs more top. We went to a SAILA show this weekend. She Took first in her class. The judge said he needs a little more top. Third in class on Saturday and the same comment from a different judge. Pig is 187 lbs. 83 days to state fair weigh in. He is one pound a day gain. 3 lbs per day powerfill 2 lbs per day full tank. Would apperciate any help.
Answer: Toby,
Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products.
Powerfill when fed at 3 lbs per day will usually produce about 1 lbs per day gain. I am wondering if the pig is 178 lbs, why it is being limiting to this low of a daily gain? You can slow the pig down at this point, but personally I would not slow him down that much.
I suggest feeding:
(TOTAL PER DAY; DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL FEEDINGS MORNING AND EVENING):
HONOR Show Chow Powerfill 2 lbs
High Octane Champion Drive 2 lbs
The Champion Drive will help produce the top in your pig that you desire. This diet should have your pig gaining about 1.25 lbs per day.
Question:I am hand feeding my hogs and I am trying to get fat on them. I am using fattening additives and I was wondering if I use a complete feed with a lower protein, will it make the pig lose its muscle definition worse, or will it make a difference?
Answer: Ben,
Thank you for your question, and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products.
It depends upon the pig (its genetic makeup and it’s daily feed intake). If pigs are not genetically muscular, then a lower protein feed will cause them to lose muscle shape.
I suggest feeding HONOR Showpig 16, and High Octane Power Fuel (1 lb per day).
Question: We have a 160 lb gilt with average muscle build. The fair is in 7 weeks. Right now she rotates between Honors Grower 16% and 19%. We are trying to understand the difference.
Answer: Auggie,
Thank you for your question, and for choosing HONOR Show Chow products.
HONOR Show Chow Showpig Grower L200 is 19.5% crude protein and 5% crude fat. HONOR Show Chow Showpig 16 is 16% crude protein (much lower than the 19.5% in Grower), and 6.5% crude fat (much higher than the 5% in Grower).
Question: I have a 177 lb Hamp gilt. Our county fair is in Septmeber. I have noticed that she has been scratching along the fence and my FFA teacher said she has swine pox. Is there any medicine for the pox and what could the scratching mean? Also, I am feeding her Showpig Show Chow 16. She needs to not weigh more than 250 lbs for show. Any suggestions as to what I should be feeding her from now till show and how often?
Answer: Danielle,
Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.
I do not know about swine pox. I suggest you contact your local veterinarian.
For the feed part of the question, can you tell me the exact date of your show, and what the maximum weight limit is at your show?
Question: Our fair is in 28 days and just went to purchase finisher with paylean. The dealer scared us to death telling us it is to early to have our 200 lb barrow on paylean yet and that we can not take him off or he will die. So now we cannot take him off and what happens if he is on paylean to long. Our weight limit is 300 lbs at fair. He has nice hams and broad shoulders needs fill in between.
Answer: Cheyenne,
Thank you for your question.
First, you can take your pigs off of Paylean, they will not die if you do. That is completely false. I have attached some information for your use on feeding Paylean.
Usually, I recommend feeding Paylean for the final 14 to 21 days prior to show depending upon the pig. Paylean increases muscle and growth rate in pigs. So, if your pig is already well muscled, you may not need to feed Paylean at all.
Please take a look at the attached information and let me know if you have further questions.
Question: We are feeding 4 show hogs and currently they are at different weights. We are showing at 2 fairs, Ashland County and Loudonville Fair. When do we start feeding Champion Drive, Power Fuel and Paylean Mix and for what period of time? They currently weigh 140, 165, 180, and 195 lbs. We have also bought Prelude 409 and would like your suggestions on feeding that as well. Thanks for your input.
Answer: Shawn,
Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products.
When you begin to feed the High Octane supplements and which ones, will depend upon the pig. They are all a little different, and will probably need to be fed a little differently to get the most out of them.
I have attached a sheet on our High Octane supplements that will help.
Basically, here is a summary:
High Octane Power Fuel high energy supplement (31% crude fat), extruded nugget. Use to improve cover (body condition), soften muscle and growth. Feeding rate is 1 to 1 1/2 lbs per day per pig.
High Octane Champion Drive high protein supplement (32% crude protein, 5% crude fat), pellet. Does a very nice job at adding top shape. Feed 1 lb per day for the final 30 to 40 days prior to show.
High Octane Fitter 35 high protein supplement (35% crude protein, 2.5% crude fat), pellet. Does a great job at burning fat, cleaning up the jowl area AND increasing muscle. Feeding rate is 1 to 2 lbs per day for 30 to 40 days prior to show. The difference between Champion Drive and Fitter 35 is that Champion Drive will NOT reduce body condition NOR add any. Fitter 35 will burn fat (if energy is not supplemented like adding more of Power Fuel).
The PRELUDE feeds are actually pig starters and are designed to be fed to pigs weighing 12 to 20 lbs (PRELUDE 209), and 20 to 75 lbs (PRELUDE 409).
