Youth Show Swine: Pre- and Post-Fair Pig Handling

March 30, 2026

Taking your pig to the fair is a big part of the 4-H experience, but it also comes with responsibility. This video covers how to get ready before fair week, what to keep in mind while you’re there, and what to do when you bring your pig back home. You’ll learn simple steps that help protect your pig and others from getting sick. 

Video Transcript

Pre- and Post-Fair Pig Handling

Hey there, youth swine farmers! Fair season is approaching quickly, so let’s talk about what to bring to the fair with you.

Things to bring to the fair

  • Feeder and enough feed for the length of time they will be there
    • A feeder that clips to the pen is ideal; otherwise, pigs have a tendency to flip feed pans over, so a clip-on feeder helps to minimize waste.
  • Check your county’s waterer situation
    • Some may have water lines installed while others may require you to bring a waterer with you and refill often.
    • Animals should have free access to water at all times
    • Depending on the water, you may need a filtration system or electrolytes to help with the transition and encourage your animals to drink.  
  • Bedding such as shavings
    • Check your fair guidelines - some require you to clean out pens completely each day while spot cleaning is sufficient at others, so it is important to have enough shavings for the length of time your animals will be on the grounds
    • Shovel, rake, and/or broom to clean pens with
    • Muck bucket or wheelbarrow
  • Show supplies
    • Whip
    • Brushes (hard and soft bristles) 
    • Soap
    • Hair and skin conditioning spray (if your fair allows it)
    • Pump sprayer
    • Towel/Rags
    • Safety pins or a show harness for your back number
    • Show “box” to keep supplies in
  • Fans!
    • This helps to keep your animals cool and helps with ventilation in the barns
    • Some barns may have large fans in the aisles, but if you would like your animals to have their own fan, bring the fan and an extension cord.  Work with your show official on how cords can be hung, safety is important.  
  • Miscellaneous items to keep in your show box
    • Bucket to mix feed or refill waterer
    • Zip ties
    • Wire cutters
    • Scissors
    • Paperwork such as breed papers or health papers (if needed)
    • Over-the-counter medical items such as SpectoGard, probiotic paste, etc.

Now that we know what to bring to the fair, let’s talk about getting your pigs to and from the exhibition.

Loading and unloading hogs on the trailer

  • If you have regular access to a trailer, make sure to practice this process a few times before you need to transport your pigs for the first time.
    • Be patient and calm - their instinct is to do the opposite of what you tell them to do
  • You’ll need a sorting board to help guide your pigs onto the trailer, and it is easiest to do with multiple people
  • If you have a ramp (or can build one), have your pigs practice walking across the ramp in the yard before introducing the trailer. This can help them be more comfortable and confident when loading.
  • Lightly bed your trailer with sawdust or sand.  Straw holds and adds heat.  

How to handle pigs coming home from exhibition

  • If your fair is not a terminal show and allows you to bring your pigs home, it is important to keep both their health and the health of any animals remaining at home in mind when they come home.
  • Animals who have left and returned to the farm should be isolated in a separate area of the barn for 10 days when they return
  • Be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect all your equipment (brushes, feed pans, show equipment, show boxes, trailers, etc.)  
  • Monitor the pigs for any signs or illness
    • If they display any signs of illness such as fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, or changes in behavior, contact your veterinarian.

Keeping all these things in mind will help you have a successful experience before, during, and after fair week. Good luck!

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