224 FARM ANIMALS 



an average period of lactation varies from four 

 hundred to five hundred and thirty pounds with 

 an average of four hundred and sixty-five pounds. 

 The milk of sows varies greatly in its composition. 

 Thus, the fat may range from four to twelve per 

 cent., but is always higher than in cow's milk. 

 In connection with the amount of milk yielded 

 by sows, the question is frequently argued whether 

 greater gains will in the aggregate be made from 

 small or large litters. As a rule, pigs in large 

 litters are more thrifty and show better appetite 

 than those in small litters. Some of the pigs in 

 large litters, however, may be killed by the sow 

 so that the total production of pork is somewhat 

 reduced. The production of large litters in- 

 dicates unusual vigour on the part of the sow and 

 this quality is usually transmitted to the off spring. 

 The milk production of sows has been found to 

 vary considerably according to their temperament 

 and feeding, in much the same way as is observed 

 in cows. 



It is sometimes thought that sows should not 

 be overfed before the pigs are weaned and that 

 no effort should be made in this way to hasten 

 the growth of the pigs. It is possible, however, 

 to force the sow to such an extent as to increase 

 greatly the rate of growth in the pigs before 

 weaning and such extra feeding has Ibeen found 

 to be an economical practice. Ordinarily when 

 this is done the amount of food consumed by the 

 sow and utilized by her in maintaining her own 

 weight and in increasing the weight of the pigs is 

 about the same as that required by the pigs after 

 weaning. 



The proper age for weaning pigs is eight weeks. 

 The practice on this point varies with different 



