Question: I will sell about 80 show pigs this April. Most are being born this month. I will start them on 209, then 409, then transition to T100. How do I make them look their best on sale day (April 1st)? More specifically, do I need to use a supplement at 50 to 70 lbs to help them look their best? Can a supplement be feed at this age?

Answer: Jeff,

Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.

I suggest feeding about 3 to 5 lbs per pig after weaning of PRELUDE 209. Then transition to PRELUDE 409.

PRELUDE 409 is designed to prepare young prospective showpigs for sale, so you can:
Option:
1. Keep the pigs on 409 until you sell them

2. Transition to Showpig Grower at about 40 lbs in bodyweight

3. About 10 to 14 days prior to sale, you can put them back on PRELUDE 409 until sale

If you desire the pigs to be more expressive in muscling, you can add High Octane Fitter 35 for the final 14 days prior to sale at the rate of 2 to 4 oz per day along with either PRELUDE 409 or Showpig Grower.

The Fitter 35 will do a nice job at burning just a touch of fat and increasing top shape.

Hopefully this makes sense. If it does not, or at any time you need more help please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: I am wanting to feed Purina depth charge and the directions say to feed 8 to 32 oz per day. Is that measured by the weight of the feed or by the volume in a measuring cup.

Answer: William,

Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.

That is actually by weight (8 oz = 1/2 lb, 16 oz = 1 lb etc).

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: What do you recommend feeding to get a deep grove down the top of our hog?

Answer: Ryan,

Thank you for your question.

For improving top shape I suggest the following diet:

With Paylean:
(TOTAL FEED PER DAY; DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL FEEDING MORNING AND EVENING):
HSC Showpig Grower 4 to 5 lbs
High Octane Power Fuel 1 lb
High Octane Paylean Premix 2 oz

Without Paylean:
(TOTAL FEED PER DAY; DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL FEEDING MORNING AND EVENING):
HSC Showpig Grower 3 to 4 lbs
High Octane Power Fuel 1 lb
High Octane Champion Drive 2 lbs

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: I have been feeding my show pig Moormans Pig Feed. As of last night he weighed 162 lbs. He is being showed in Houston on March 12. Today I bought Honor Show Chow because I ran out of the Moormans. What are the pros and cons of switching feed now? And also, I weighed him for the first time on January 15 and he weighed 140 lbs, will he make weight at this rate? He gets 3 lbs of feed twice a day.

Answer: Sheila,

Thank you for your question and for choice of Honor Show Chow.

You pig needs to average at least 1.65 lbs per day gain for the next 41 days (March 12) to make the minimum weight limit. Right now your pig is gaining about 1.37 lb per day.

Most of our feeds are higher in energy than the Moormans products. So you should see faster growth although the pigs will usually eat less of ours per day than the Moormans feed. That also is due to the higher energy content.

To get you pig to grow faster I suggest adding our High Octane Heavy Weight product beginning at 8 oz per day. In 3 to 5 days increase the Heavy Weight to 12 oz per day. Heavy Weight should help your pig eat more and grow faster.

If you need more help please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
Honor Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: Has been stated on the use of Paylean that a supplement for joint health should be used and that a horse joint supplement is ok to use. The bottle says not for use in horses going to be used for human consumption. So it is ok to use? Ingredients are MSM, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Vitamin E, flaxseed oil, soy lecithin and sunflower oil.

Answer: Jonathon,

Thank you for your question.

Glucosamine and chondroitin from NATURAL sources (from shell fish) are okay to use in showpigs.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: We have only 11 days to the show. My pig is pretty deep (you could always be deeper) and has good rib, excellent fat cover and muscle. We are holding slightly. I just discovered your Depth Charge feed. If I should start him on Depth Charge now, will it do anything at all, or is it too late? Will it help with keeping him in a fuller appearance at the show if he becomes stressed?

Answer: Amber,

Thank you for your question.

High Octane Depth Charge is a filler that expands rapidly in the pigs digestive tract. It really works better the longer you feed it. I suggest getting the pigs use to it and consuming it prior to show. I suggest 21 to 30 prior to show for just fill, and feeding it through the feeding period at 8 oz per day along with regular feed if help is needed with rib shape.

For holding/limiting weight gain our Powerfill product does a great job.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: Last year you mentioned several additives to help with raising show pigs. What was it that helped put more top on the show pigs? The pigs are about where they need to be weight wise for mid March show.

Answer: Bill,

Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.

High Octane Champion Drive is the product you are looking for. It does a nice job at adding top shape to pigs, lambs, goats, and cattle.

For pigs feed 1 to 2 lbs per day along with regular feed depending upon how much help the pig needs.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: Currently have two gilts weighing 180 lbs. Been feeding 5 lbs of 16%, 1 lb of Powerfill,and 8 oz Depth Charge. Gilts are gaining approximately 1.5 lbs per day need to get them to 2 lbs or more per day. Both are adequate muscled, carry enough middle but could use more cover, really just need to increase rate of gain.

Answer: Justin,

Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.

It sounds like your gilts pretty lean. That is the nature of the beast with swine, the more muscle they have and the leaner they are, the poorer they eat and the slower they grow.

Energy is the key to growth. Our new product High Octane Heavy Weight is designed to get pigs to eat more and to provide extra energy. It is 70% crude fat and pigs love the taste. Start at 8 oz per day per pig and in 3 to 5 days, increase to 3/4 lb (12 oz).

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: My question is I have 3 bags of powerfill left. Can I feed the powerful along with the show chow T100 grower when we get the pigs? They will be in the 50 to 70 lb range.

Answer: Jonathon,

Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.

If the Powerfill is less than 6 to 8 months old, or it DOES NOT smell bad, or have obvious damage from insects, mold, or heat or water damage then it is okay to add to the regular Showpig feed.

I suggest adding about 1/2 lb per day per pig along with Showpig Grower or Finisher.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: My question is concerning my sons two barrows. The larger one weighs 180 lbs and the other 166 lbs. 285 lbs is the limit and weigh in is in 46 days. I am currently feeding 6 lbs of 18% pro 6.2% fat feed and 8 oz of depth charge daily. The 180 lb pig is heavy muscled with a great belly but is lacking cover on his top. Would like to have him around 280 lbs by weigh in.The 166 lb pig is moderate muscled with good cover and belly and I would like to make his muscle pop while not reducing his cover putting him at 265 lbs. This is the second year I use the depth charge and I am very satisfied with its results. This is the first time I am going to try any other of the high octane supplements and would like to know which ones would help with my situation and how to feed them. I do not know if I am on the right path but I am looking to buy the heavy weight, champion drive and fitter 35.

Answer: Marc,

Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.

For the heaviest barrow that weighs 180 lbs currently, and can gain 100 lbs in the next 46 days, that equates to 2.17 lbs per day. For more cover and to gain about 2 lbs per day, I suggest the following diet:
(TOTAL FEED PER DAY; DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL FEEDINGS MORNING AND EVENING):
HSC Powerfill 2 lbs
Regular showpig feed 2 lbs
High Octane Heavy Weight 3/4 lbs (12 oz) start at 8 oz and increase to 12 oz in about 3 to 4 days
High Octane Depth Charge 1/2 lbs (8 oz)

The barrow should gain about 2 lbs per day on this diet. If you want him to gain a little more, increase the regular showpig feed by about 1/2 lb per day.

For the lighter barrow that currently weighs 160 lbs, and you would like him to weigh 265 lbs, that equates to an average daily gain of 2.28 lbs per day. Paylean will really help muscling, however it will increase growth rate. I suggest feeding Paylean for the final 21 days. If you decide to do that you will have to take into account the extra growth from Paylean, and slow the pig down a little now (less than 2 lbs per day).

For the next 25 days or so I suggest feeding:
(TOTAL FEED PER DAY; DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL FEEDINGS MORNING AND EVENING):
HSC Powerfill 2 lbs
Regular showpig feed 1 lb
High Octane Heavy Weight 1/2 lbs (8 oz)
High Octane Depth Charge 1/2 lbs (8 oz)
High Octane Champion Drive 2 lbs

This should have the barrow gaining right at 2 lbs per day. So, in 25 days the barrow should weigh about 210 lbs with 21 days remaining.

For the final 21 days, I suggest this diet:
(TOTAL FEED PER DAY; DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL FEEDINGS MORNING AND EVENING):
HSC Powerfill 2 lbs
Regular showpig feed 1 lb
High Octane Heavy Weight 3/4 lb (12 oz)
High Octane Depth Charge 1/2 lb (8 oz)
High Octane Champion Drive 1 lb
High Octane Paylean Premix 2 oz

The increase in Heavy Weight will help maintain the same level of fat cover while you feed Paylean.

Keep an eye on the pigs weight gain as pigs are different and do not all utilize feed the same.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist