Cole and his pigs started doing their daily exercise routine yesterday. We are gearing up for upcoming shows at the Cow Palace, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Sonoma County Fair and the California State Fair.
It is important to work with your animals before you bring them to any show. The cane that Cole is carrying is used to train and guide the pigs. In the showring, you will be judged on the pigs appearance, your appearance and how well you work with your animal.
This is my son Cole with his Pop-Tab container at the 2007 California State Fair, and with his Duroc pig "Ruby"
Cole started collecting pop-tabs for the Ronald McDonald houses last year after we visited one of the houses at UC Davis. He saw the large container of pop-tabs in the office and told me that he wanted to start collecting them. This has now blossomed into a countywide collection process, with numerous 4-H clubs collecting pop-tabs for Cole.
Ruby is a gilt (never had piglets). She is going to be bred, so she will be nice and pregnant, when Cole shows her at the upcoming fairs. Cole is hoping that she will have piglets around September 15th. It takes a pig 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days to have babies. After she has her litter of piglets, she will be a "Sow" (Momma pig).
