Chapter 5

Cont. for word count [Ideally, the Owner’s goal for the sow should be based more on physical factors rather than numerical weight. The sow’s progress should be measured by how far the sow’s belly is from resting on the ground while she is on her hands and knees (the most natural position for a sow). The Owner may judge when the sow’s gaining is complete by when her belly reaches the ground, or by how much of her belly spreads out while resting upon the ground (for example, whether it spreads out wide enough side to side, or whether it’s large enough to touch the ground from just below her breasts all the way to her knees). Her belly hang should be measured frequently. The sow should encouraged to become obsessed with how much her belly hangs while she’s on her hands and knees. She should come to eagerly anticipate the moment her belly reaches the ground, even if its only significance to her is that it means she can then stop growing. The practicality of using belly growth as a marker of progress, however, depends on how the sow wears her fat; if she is extremely bottom heavy and doesn’t gain much in her waist, she would likely reach her maximum allowed weight long before her belly comes close to the floor. In such an instance, other attributes should be used for judgement instead, such as whether her rump and hips have reached a certain width.]

Contract duration and ending

After a trial period which may last for several months, the sow must decide whether or not to agree to a long term arrangement. While the sow may be encouraged to agree to an arrangement of indefinite length, due to the physical and psychological extremes of the situation she is allowed to agree to an arrangement with an opt-out possibility.

The first chance of opting out will at least six months after entering into the arrangement. At that time, she can choose to continue onward or leave the relationship entirely. If she continues, the next chance occur six months later. If, after a year has passed and she still wishes to continue, she will remain her Owner’s sow until she reaches the goals which have been set for her.

The initial phase of the contract will end only the sow reaches the goals which her Owner has set for her and become her Owner’s ideal pig, unless she has been released before then. It shouldn’t take more than three to five years for her to reach that point, possibly less, if her feedings have been at all effective.

Once the Owner has gotten the sow to the weight that he or she wants her to be, the Owner is free to consider his or her job complete and may release the newly-fatted pig back into the habitat. The Owner may also choose to keep his or her prized pig for as long as he or she wishes. In the post-transformative phase, the relationship can continue on as before, except that the sow should no longer continually gain weight (and her feed should be lessened to compensate). Weight gain may still occur gradually or in spurts as long as it doesn’t exceed the maximum allowed weight.