DRY FEEDING PIGS

Shannon News, 17 February 1925, Page 4

DRY FEEDING PIGS

Mr S. F, Edge, the noted English pig breeder, said recently he was convinced that dry feeding Pigs . had . come to stay. He had proved it, he ; declares, beyond all doubt at Ditch- j ling, provided the pigs are given water to drink and steps are taken to prevent their wallowing in it. Sows, suckling, little pigs, breeding stock, and stores of all ages thrive wonderfully on the dry feeders at Ditchling. There the self-choice system of feeding is followed, which means that the pig attendants place the feeding stuffs in separate compartments of the feeders. Then the pigs are permitted to select their own foods, and it is found that in actual practice they "balance" theirsrations to within a decimal point or two of the ratio of albuminoids and carbo-hydrates to which the exper*. mixers would have themselves mixed them. If the human mixers had work, ed out a ration on a ratio of 1 to 4 the pigs on a dry feeder would consume quantities of the various foods I offered to them which would produce a similar ration. Pigs will not be adversely affected by changing from wet to dry foods If water is placed some distance from the feeders the pigs will eat considerably less than if the two are fairly close together. In many litters there are one or more runts. A little extra feed and care will bring these along profitably If left to take pot luck with their bigger brothers and sisters they fare badly, and prove an unprofitable proposition. Profit comes not in how little we can keep the pig on, but in how much we can get him to eat of a balanced ration. The younger the animal the more thoroughly it digests its food. Therefore, mature pigs early. The six months 200 pound pig* costs one-half of the 200 pound 18 months* pig. A lengthy animal, active, stronglimbed, deep and well sprung in the ribs, having numerous teats and every indication of prolificacy, vigorous in growth, and stamina, combined with docility of temperament, are the outstanding characteristics of a good brood sow.