overweight advice

Basic nutrition information, show pig, sow, and boar feeding advice
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cracklethepiglet
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overweight advice

Post by cracklethepiglet » Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:44 pm

Hi,

PROBLEM:
I'm in a bit of a dilemma because my pig weighs 275 lb. as of today. The max weight limit for my fair is 275 lb. and the weigh-in is next Saturday.

HISTORY:
I have been weighing my pig consistently every Saturday morning for about the past month and a half. She has always seemed pretty good
with her weight. She seemed like she would be around 250 lb. for fair or just generally mid-range, maybe on the heavier side (weight is 210-275 lb.). When I weighed her last weekend she was supposedly 238 lb, but I believe the scale was inaccurate. Since she seemed lighter than what I expected, I upped the feed.

For this past week I have been giving her (per day):
5.5 lb. of 17.5% Show-Rite
1 lb. of Full Tank
12 oz. of Fat and Fluffy

I listed bellow all of her weights:
5/28/18 - 218 lb.
6/2/18 - 228 lb.
6/9/18 - 231 lb.
6/16/18 - 238 lb.

My dad and I made sure the scale was very accurate today; we weighed ourselves on it and it perfectly recorded our current weights, plus we used a leveling tool to make sure it was as level as possible. All the other times we've used it we haven't used the leveling tool but we did weigh ourselves - it was always a few pounds off for both of us, but we would estimate by adding or subtracting a few pounds depending on how off it was.

My pig has a big appetite and my leader thought she was on the big side when he saw her once, but when the weights came in I didn't worry about her weight anymore.

The fair is about 1/2 an hour-45 mins. away from where she is housed at, so I'm assuming she'll lose some weight? If so, would anyone know about how much?

One more thing, she will arrive at the fair on 6/29/18 in the morning and then weigh-in will be on the next day around noon.

PLAN:
I talked to my leader and he said to do this per day for the next week:
2 lb. of 17.5% Show-Rite
1 lb. of Full Tank
8 oz. of Fat and Fluffy

This is what I'm planning on feeding her for the week. I feel bad doing this to her, but I can't afford to have her overweight.
I'm also going to walk her a lot this week, maybe 30 min. per day/just generally exercise her more than I usually do.
I'm planning on giving her no feed on the day of the weigh-in, only until after she's weighed.

Has anyone been in a situtaion like this? If so, what's your advice to me? Should I cut out water for 12 hr. before weigh-in - or just decrease water intake? The planned temperature for next Saturday is 88F so I don't know if that's a good idea... Should I give her half of the planned feed amount the day before? (e.g. 1 lb. of feed, .5 lb of Full Tank, and 4 oz. of Fat and Fluffy all just for one day)

BTW, just want to ask anyone's advice even though my leader is helping me out - I just like to see different perspectives and other experiences people have had ;).

THANK YOU!!!
Crackle the Piglet :D

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kgb
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Re: overweight advice

Post by kgb » Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:24 pm

If that diet is total per day, she will weigh what you want. But. She will also lose muscle and freshness because she won’t be getting enough lysine and other amino acids, and her metabolism will start breaking down muscle to capture those amino acids.

My suggestion is to feed:
(Total daily feed; divide into 2 equal meals):
High Octane Fitter 35. 3 lb
High Octane Depth Charge. 1/2 lb

The pig should average gaining 0.25 to 0.35 lb per day. That would be about 2 lb this week and NOT lose muscle or freshness.
Dr. Kevin Burgoon
Purina® Honor® Show Chow® Nutritionist
http://www.PurinaMills.com/Show-Feed
http://www.facebook.com/HonorShowChow
http://www.twitter.com/HonorShowChow

If you have the power to do good for someone...use it. Proverbs 3:27

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cracklethepiglet
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Re: overweight advice

Post by cracklethepiglet » Sun Jun 24, 2018 12:56 am

Thank you so much for the response! I'm going to try to see what feed stores around me carry those products. I'm still trying to add a fat cover to her, so do you think I could squeeze in a product like Fat and Fluffy without her gaining much weight from it?
Crackle the Piglet :D

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kgb
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Re: overweight advice

Post by kgb » Sun Jun 24, 2018 1:17 pm

Not, not really. Energy (calories) is responsible for growth. The higher the energy content the faster the growth.

Does the pig need more fat cover?
Dr. Kevin Burgoon
Purina® Honor® Show Chow® Nutritionist
http://www.PurinaMills.com/Show-Feed
http://www.facebook.com/HonorShowChow
http://www.twitter.com/HonorShowChow

If you have the power to do good for someone...use it. Proverbs 3:27

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cracklethepiglet
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Re: overweight advice

Post by cracklethepiglet » Sun Jun 24, 2018 2:18 pm

Yes, the pig could use more fat cover.

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kgb
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Re: overweight advice

Post by kgb » Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:41 am

Well, you can add some but it will also make the pig grow faster.
Dr. Kevin Burgoon
Purina® Honor® Show Chow® Nutritionist
http://www.PurinaMills.com/Show-Feed
http://www.facebook.com/HonorShowChow
http://www.twitter.com/HonorShowChow

If you have the power to do good for someone...use it. Proverbs 3:27

bhls
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Re: overweight advice

Post by bhls » Mon Jun 25, 2018 6:05 pm

If you have a weigh back to manage at the show (or for that matter, even if you don’t), I would suggest using the Essential Keep ‘n On electrolyte once you weigh in until you show. You’ll need 4 bottles. Provide one 48-72 hours out, one 24 hours out, one the morning of show and one 20-30 minutes before entering the ring. This product will provide body fill, freshness and shape WITHOUT weight gain if you simply fill each bottle with water and then provide that mixture to the pig (follow directions on bottle). Since you’re going to be “holding hard” these last few days, it will be crucial to have a plan for the pig to regain the body and freshness lost during the holding period. Keep ‘n On can help with this.

You might also supplement your current holding ration with a few raw eggs each feeding to promote freshness.

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cracklethepiglet
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Re: overweight advice

Post by cracklethepiglet » Sat Jun 30, 2018 7:42 pm

UPDATE: I made weight! She was 261 lb. this morning. I cut her water off last night and gave her a bucket of water this morning. I also didn't feed her last night or this morning, only until after she was weighed. I fed as KGB recommended. Thanks for the advice! It helped to keep her fresh. Now on to market showmanship...
Crackle the Piglet :D

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