How to Figure a Hog's Daily Weight Gain

When you raise a hog for a show, you need to make sure that you have both the right diet and ample time for the hog to gain the proper amount of weight. You also should track your progress regularly to ensure that your hog is gaining weight at the recommended rate; if it isn't, you may need to adjust the type of feed and the amount that it consumes. By regularly weighing your pig and determining its daily weight gain, you give yourself the information you need so that your hog grows big enough by showtime.

Things You'll Need

  • Large animal scale
  • Calculator
  • Appropriate food (varies)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Weigh your hog and determine if it is a "growing" pig or a "finishing" pig. Growing pigs weigh approximately between 40 and 125 pounds, while finishing pigs weigh approximately between 125 and 230 pounds.

    • 2

      Feed your hog according to its weight class. As they gain weight, hogs require different types of food, and more of it. For example, grower food is high in protein and dense in nutrients, while finisher food is less so.

    • 3

      Weigh your hog every day to determine its daily weight gain. You also may add up your daily totals for a week and divide by seven to determine its average daily weight gain. Growing pigs should gain about 1.54 pounds per day, while finishing pigs should gain about 1.8 pounds per day.