FEEDING OF PIGS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 26 (Supplement)

FEEDING OF PIGS.

USK OF MEAT MEAL. VALUE OP GRASS. Meat-meal added at the rate of oneQuarter to half a pound per pig per day Improves every known feed for pigs In proportion to its unsuitability. Added to raw potatoes or roots of any description, feeds on which young pigs go back in condition even to the stage of dying, and on which grown pigs Just hold their own, meat-meal improves the feeding value from about three shillings per ton up to thirty shillings per ton, after paying for the meat-meal used, states Mr M. J. Scott. Grass fed to pigs returns about twelve shillings per acre per month without meat-meal, with meat-meal the value of grass is 40s per acre per month, after paying for the meat-meal. These are striking improvements, so striking that they have to be seen first before they can be believed. One does not appreciate the value of meatmeal unless the results of it have been seen, and there is certainly no feed used in small amounts that does give suoh striking results, especially with feeds that are not by themselves pig feeds. With milk or grain the benefits from using meat-meal are still noticeable, but not in such a definite way. As a general rule meat-meal at the rate of half a pound per day, or skim-milk at the rate of one gallon per day, should be used as a foundation feed supply for all pigs after weaning. From weaning until pigs are 70 lb. live weight, i.e., at 12-14 weeks old, they are still babies and should receive as a minimum two gallons of milk per day, or half a pound of meat-meal and li lb. of grain. In addition they may be fed further milk or grain, as much as they will eat, or else they should be allowed access to roots or pasture to pick up as much as they want. Supplementing the Rations. This two gallons or two pounds of feed is sufficient till they are about 50 lb. weight, but only enough for limited growth after that weight. Unless It is supplemented with other feed growth will be slow after 50 lb. Is reached. If the pigs are being taken on to porkers it probably pay to give them as much skim-milk as they will consume, especially if thero is abundance of It. If the supply is limited, the skim-milk can bo gradually reduced to one gallon per day after 12 to 14 weeks, plus as much grass, root*, etc., as they can oonsume. Where grain Is the main feed supply it is wise to reduce the amount and let the pigs grow slowly on light rations from 70 lb. to about 110 over a period of about 8 to 10 weeks. Three weeks’ finishing should make them prime at about 140 lb, alive If they have not been done too hard. If bacon is being produced, the slow growth period oan go on for eight months till the pigs are 170 lb. live weight. Three weeks’ topping off on full rations makes them into baconers of 200 lb. live weight.