THE PIG INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Issue 1337, 15 January 1912, Page 8

THE PIG INDUSTRY.

+ . | FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT OP SOWS. In Uio course iif an article on the feeding and management of sows, Mr. D. A. Gaumnilz, of the University of Minnesota, remarks that usually as many of tho farm grains as ]>o:-sil>le should bo fed. Frequently, however, it is much cheaper to use others rather than exclusively farmproduced feeds. Sinco over-feeding makes brood suws -undesirably fat, and since their voracious appetite inclines them to unmusical squealing when they are not full, it has been an approved plan to provide them, when they are not caring for a litter, with feed only moderately nutritious, but as bulky as possible— such, for instance, as contains considerable water. This class includes pasture crops of different kinds, roots, clover, or alfalfa hay and milk. By the use of these and other bulky feeds, the sow's stomach is distended and she is satisfied, and yet does not fatten up as when concentrated feed like grain is given. Tho great advantage, therefore, of having pasture for brood sows, both (luring farrowing and after, is clearly seen. Good supplementary rations, in addition to pastures and roots, are as follow:— Four parts of milk, by weight, and one part of corn; shorts alone; corn and shorts, equal parts; six parts corn and ono of oil-cake; seven parts corn and one of tankage.' AMOUNTS TO FEED. Dry sows that are in good condition and on good pasture need littlo else. If they are. confined to pens—a condition that never should exist on a well-managed farm —such sows will probably do well on .851b. of grain a day, a cwt. of sow. When the sow is thin, tins amount should lie increased to one pound a cwt. a day. The larger allowances ordinarily recommended aro practically wasted. As farrowing time approaches, the bulk of feed should bo cut down, less water should bo given, and more protein and oily feeds should lie fed, so as to keep the sow in a laxative condition. If she is iu good condition, light feeding will help keep her so. Exercise in tho fresh air, together with caro noted in feeding, should bring her up to farrowing limo in lino shape. . MANAGEMENT AT FARROWING. Attention to the brood sow at tho farrowing time should bo especially emphasised. This is an important crisis in the pork-producing business, which is to determine the result of many months of feeding and watchfulness. No business man would think of going away and neglecting his affairs at a time when his presence was so imperatively necessary; neither should the pork-producer. The brood sow should always be housed in •a warm, comfortable place, if the outdoor temperature is not such as to permit her to farrow in the pasture. She should be disturbed as little as possible.