Training pig to walk with head up

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buckI
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Training pig to walk with head up

Post by buckI » Wed Aug 07, 2013 12:34 pm

My daughter is in her second year of 4H and showing pigs. I am trying to get her to train her pig to walk with her head up.

The gilt is a energetic and a little chargey so she often runs off with her trying to catch back up.

Any suggestions and tips on getting a pig to be more up-headed.

Gilbertowner
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Re: Training pig to walk with head up

Post by Gilbertowner » Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:24 pm

bring the feeder up in height

mtbkmom
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Re: Training pig to walk with head up

Post by mtbkmom » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:17 pm

Confine your space so that she doesn't run off far...no more than 15 x 15 until you get good control, then take her out. That way you can "catch up" sooner and keep training her. I've seen tap, tap, tapping under the neck until they get it. I've seen following marshmellows on a stick. My 5 wo piglets have been going after marshmellows since 4 weeks and follow them around the pen on a stick....this helps us gets pics when we want them. We also put their waterer up high to make them pick their heads up to drink.
"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."--I Am Second.

Medic25275
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Re: Training pig to walk with head up

Post by Medic25275 » Fri Aug 09, 2013 3:54 pm

I have to affirm the previous comment. All of our feeders hang at or just above nose level. Our pigs just naturally walk with head up. They are not walking around looking for food on the ground.

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HILOfarm
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Re: Training pig to walk with head up

Post by HILOfarm » Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:17 pm

Walk them in tall grass, taller than the hog. They keep their head up to see better, it seems to slow em down a little too! Good luck!

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Re: Training pig to walk with head up

Post by mtbkmom » Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:35 pm

Never thought of tall grass....I can really see that working without working yourself to death.
"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."--I Am Second.

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IndianaMom
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Re: Training pig to walk with head up

Post by IndianaMom » Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:55 pm

Had to laugh when I read your recommendation to walk in tall grass. We used to do that and it didn't stop the pigs from running. We used to have to chase them down once in awhile with the golf cart. Was thinking about this the other day and we really had a good time doing it. Lots of laughter. Try it.

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