Any pig people here?

[PaFFA Proud]

I know there is a place for pig issues, but it dosent seem real popular. Any way my question is how do you go about calming 40lb piggies to trust you? I got 3 hamp crosses to barrows and a gilt. Any suggestions?

 

[sue]

I know there is a place for pig issues, but it dosent seem real popular. Any way my question is how do you go about calming 40lb piggies to trust you? I got 3 hamp crosses to barrows and a gilt. Any suggestions?

Squeeze em  in  your arms and kiss em - 3 times a day.  :-*

 

[shortdawg]

Once they figure out you are the person with the feed they will love you !

 

[PaFFA Proud]

I know there is a place for pig issues, but it dosent seem real popular. Any way my question is how do you go about calming 40lb piggies to trust you? I got 3 hamp crosses to barrows and a gilt. Any suggestions?

Squeeze em   in  your arms and kiss em - 3 times a day.  :-*

lol tried, they all squealed and the gilt bit me

 

[lightnin4]

I knew some people that raised show pigs--they bribed them with vanilla wafers!

 

[3ilshowgirls]

My daughters show pigs - they have been showing pigs since they were 3 years old (they are  6 and 8 now).  My youngest sits in the pen and brushes them while they eat...if they are hungry they will eventually give in and stand still.  Seriously, my daughter is the "pig whisperer" with banners and ribbons and plaques to prove it.  My wife isn't very far behind her, they both can "talk" to those pigs and they end up being just like the family dog!  That is NO LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Show Dad]

miniature marshmallows

 

[SFASUshowman]

Time Time Time...pigs are naturally very social animals...if you spend enough time with them they will accept you.  They are also very curious and intelligent animals. Chasing them does absolutely no good. Get you a good book and camp out in the corner of the pen. They will come to you.  And as has been said before, pigs really like the person with the feed bucket, but if you just dump the feed and walk away you dont accomplish anything.

 

[kanshow]

Just like some of the other posters have said.  Get something sweet - mini marshmallows, vanilla wafers, vanilla creme sandwich cookies - turn a bucket upside down in the pen and sit on it and feed the ones who come up to you.    Pigs are very smart and it usually only takes a couple sessions before the pigs are coming to you instantly when they see you.        Once they are coming to you without hesitation, start trying to touch them.  Most love to be scratched on the belly so try to get to that point.    Also if you have them on a self feeder - take that away from them until they are tame - usually doesn't take too long. 

 

[Throttle]

I know some ppl have good luck with training showpigs with marshmallows, but we haven't had any that really got into them. I think just spending tons of time with them is the key. My daughter just sits out there and talks to them, tries to touch them, works her way closer day after day. Put the time in and they will eventually learn to like you

 

[kanshow]

We've noticed that different pigs like different things.. some will go crazy over marshmallows while others like vanilla wafers.    But the key is spend the time in the pen with them.    We keep our pigs in about an 8 x 8 pen in the beginning.   

 

[PaFFA Proud]

Thanks everyone for the advice, ill try each tip and see what works best for me and them. Unfortuntnely I have to move my pigs to a friends farm cause my mom decided she has a zero tollerance for pigs on the farm, she thinks their mean, nasty, and will eat people

 

[SFASUshowman]

Another thing is start introducing them to the stick as soon as you can. And let them out of their pen and walk them at least 2-3 times a week if not more.  I know evryone worries about pigs running away, but they wont, trust me they are going to come back to the food bowl. If anything you will have a problem getting them to leave the pen, and this is what causes the issues you see with pigs in the show ring staying on the fence, squealing, and throwing a fit. They just want to go back to their pen, so you have to work them at home on walking. Another thing that as a judge I always tell exhibitors in showmanship. A good showman uses their whip very very lightly, just using gentle touches and taps. A GREAT showman never even has to touch the pig, because they have worked the pig at home and all they have to do is show them the stick to turn them.

 

[rtmcc]

Bodie puts a pile of straw in the corner of the pen and just goes in there and lays down until they come up and start kissing on him and then he rubs on then and just plays and spends time in there with them.  Marshmallows and Skittles are good too.  I never thought I'd be a pig goy.  But they are fun!  They have so much personality.  He's got his three for this year so he can drive them around in <cowboy> the show barn already.

Ron