Having a livestock scale on a homestead is few and far between, at least where I live. So being able to measure your pig without one is crucial if you want to get an accurate guess on your pigs weight.
*This formula will be available in the printables section so that you can add it to your pig binder to have on hand!
Using a measuring tape:
- Keep a fabric measuring tape or a piece of string on hand to use as a measuring tape. If using string mark the dimensions on the string and then measure the dimensions using a steel tape measure.
- Place the tape/string under the pig right behind the front legs and measure the circumference of the pigs girth in inches. This measurement is known as the Heart Girth
- Then measure the Length of the pig along its back, starting right between the ears to the base of its tail, again; in inches.
- To calculate the pigs weight, first square the Heart Girth to get the Girth Result.
- Now Multiply the Girth Result by the Length and DIVIDE by 400.
- You now have the weight of your pig in Pounds.
Example:
FORMULA – Girth x Girth x Body Length / 400 = Approx Hog weight.
Pretend I’ve just measured my pig Hammy. Hammys Heart Girth measurement is 50 inches. And his length measurement is 40 inches.
I will now square the Heart Girth (50 x 50) = 2500 (2500 is the Girth result)
Next I’ll multiply the Girth Result (2500) by the Length (40) and divide by 400 = 250 Pounds (250 is Hammys weight)
