Pigs Fatten Fast On Feed Boiled in Outside Cauldron

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 23 (Supplement)

Pigs Fatten Fast On Feed Boiled in Outside Cauldron

"Certainly, I am lucky in having an outside copper, but anyone can boil up a couple of benzine tins." Thus spoke a Taranaki breeder of pedigree pigs who is getting wonderful results from his system of treating barley for pig food A Daily News reporter had just watched the process of feeding and, after noting the condition of the boiled barley, had congratulated the farmer upon his substantially built cauldron with its spacious fireplace. "You will be surprised, no doubt," added the farmer, "when I tell you 1 value that boiler as much as I do any so-called essential implement on the place. It has been worth a great deal

of money to me in the'economic feeding of my pigs. If an old cow dies it is skinned and boiled down. All farm grown vegetables follow the example of the cow, while grain, treated to a couple of hours' boiling, has an added value in its increased digestibility." In the case of barley, the farmer tips a whole sackful into his copper and adds 60 gallons of water. After a while he pours in another 20 gallons, so that the final ratio is 80 gallons of water to the sack. The barley is boiled for four hours, by which time its food value has become thoroughly distributed throughout the paste-like substance that was the water. Similarly, the swollen grain is held in suspension s 1 that the first dipperful taken from the copper contains just as much food value as the last. Practically No Cost. Firing is done with wood secured on the farm and the only cost assoeiated with the conversion of a sack of whole barley into 80 gallons of rich food is that represented by the time occupied in periodic stoking. The reporter watched the barley paste being fed to 18 in-pig sows. While he expected a pig to be a pig. he was agreeably surprised at their perfect condition and healthy appearance. These sows were carrying their second litters, the first having been brought to weaner stage on winter feeding without the loss of a single member. The average farrow had been nine and, as the famous copper plaved its part in the arrangement of their diet, it has assumed a position of even greater significance in the eyes of its owner.