I am positive I bought thru 4-H. In the county of which I live, it is a large county area,
with a huge fair that takes place every April. The animal barns are enormous. The
GP's, rabbits, birds and goats are housed together. The fair last 10 days. The animals stay 10 days.
The
GP's are judged on 2 things. Breed, which is the
GP and how it meets the standards of his/her breed and coloring. Showmanship, which is how the child shows and handles his/her
GP's. The child holds the
GP in various positions to show the body,
front feet, back feet, teeth, genitals, ears and eyes. Each
GP must be tagged on the ear to show his number. A blue ribbon or higher enables to
GP to go to auction. It is a childs choice to put his/her pig in the auction. Pigs have been known to sell for up to 100 dollars. I personally talked to one father whose daughter has several blue ribbon pigs. She can make up to several hundred dollars on her pigs at auction. That's how she buys her school clothes every year.
The children whose pigs, birds, rabbits, earn red ribbons on down have the choice to sell their animals. I have seen on many cages. ForSale 5.00 to 25 dollars. The children themselves exchange pigs to better the chances of the perfect pig, so I guess some of them are breeding.
Working up to the fair is mock fairs or shows so the kids can practice on how to show and handle their pigs. It was at one of these I bought my 2
GP's. Pigs are brought to these shows to be sold. My Legelas, is such a pig. He has a tagged ear. He is a beautiful full breed silkie, but he didn't measure up and I got him for 5.00 dollars. The other was a full breed trexal (sp, I'm not good with the breeds.) My, much loved, Gimli,
who was such a charactar. He too didn't measure up. He was old. He too was 5.00 dollars.
I know these are not "pet shows". These pigs have to be a breed with very set standards and colors.
I am not saying the kids don't love their
GP's and take care of their pigs. They have to keep logs as to just how well they are taking care of these pigs. It is part of the weekly 4-H meetings these kids attend thru out the year in getting ready for the end result, the fair. I too don't know how many keep their pigs because after loving and raising their pigs they can't give them up.
I thought for years it all was ok. Showing and selling
GP's. It has always bothered me with the bigger animals that they were raised with love and then sold off to be food.
I am sorry this is so long. That is how the 4-H is here with the
GP's. Other places may be different. I see it now the same as if I bought from a petstore. It just keeps the process going. I'd like the kids to have some more education on this. Like I said I point anyone who will listen to me to
Cavy Cages. I get on my soap box and then I can't shut up. Ok someone tell to shut up. over and out.