We have a February Hamp gilt that we are feeding for mid October show. She weighs 270 but we are having trouble getting her to consume six pounds of feed per day divided into 2 feedings. Have been feeding Moormans 16% 7% fat since first of June. She seems to be somewhat hard still over her top and just not putting on cover. Just dropped her down to the 14% Moormans feed this week and adding steamed rolled oats. I would like for her to look like some of the big bellied gilts that we so often see at shows but just can't seem to get her there. Any and all suggestions are appreciated! TIA!

Have you tried Milk Replacer? I also like the Vita Charge and Sure Champ products to stimulate appetite. They make one called Spark that might help get her going.

In terms of fill you need to be feeding something along the lines of Purina Ultra Full. We have been using this product since it came on the market and it does wonders for dropping the belly and rounding out the bottom 1/3rd. The sooner you can get her on this the better. Start slow and work your way up with it.

Also, are you wet feeding? This also helps with consumption and and gut fill.

Unless she is super hard muscled I wouldn't go to 14%...stay at the 16% Hi Fat.

A couple Essential Feed products come to mind for your situation. For appetite, Sweet Crunch is a strawberry flavored granola that makes hogs consume very well. A handful on top or mixed in should do the trick. In terms of softening body and adding cover, Soft Silk is a 99% crude fat liquid soybean oil that is cherry flavored. 2-4 oz a day top dress will work very well to give that soft, fresh look through the center body. These products are available through Kent Feeds dealers as well as through the website EssentialShowFeeds.com.

Mix some Frosting XL or Moorfat in the feed and she should finish it all. Remember some gilts tend to turn into finicky eaters. Wet it down with milk replacer or actual goat milk.

The way you are feeding her now she will be 315 plus by mid October??