HOW TO FEED THE PIG

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4430, 1 July 1909, Page 4

HOW TO FEED THE PIG

The main expense in raising pigs is their feed, and it is the duty of the farmer to get the most out of it that he possibly can. Some farmers make a mistake in throwing feed to their pigs and letting them take care of it. When they are fed in this way they do not receive the full benefit of the feed, for a portion is wasted. We must remember that one day’s poor feeding will more than counterbalance two days of good feeding. Regularity in feeding is of very great importance. The digestive systems of animals adapt themselves to receive food at certain times, and if the food is not given at the expected time the animal is worried, and this results in loss. Frequently the food, being late, is taken in too large quantities or too hurriedly for the best good of thd animal. For this reason it is to our advantage, as well as to that of the pigs, to make it a rule to feed them at exactly the same time each day. Then, again, we must be careful what we feed. Any old thing that no other anihial will look at is not good enough for pig feed. We cannot expect good meat unless clean food is used. Some farmers when they begin to fatten congratulate themselves that they have all the maize that their pigs will consume, and that there is no better feed. They will start exclusively On corn at the commencement of the fattening period, using no care, and finally the appetite and digestion of the animals are injured, and they are given a backset that they will not readily overcome. ' Corn should be fed only in small quantities at first, gradually increasing the amountas the stomachs become stronger, until they are on full feed. Better results are produced by feeding corn in relatively small quantities in conjunction with mill foods, lucerne, clover hay, and such foods as turnips, artichokes, etc.