FEED AND CARE OF SWINE 685 



moreover, protein that is well-balanced in composition ; also, the rations 

 must supply ample mineral matter and sufficient vitamines; (2) rations 

 which are laxative, instead of constipating; (3) the right amount of 

 feed not too much or the sows will get too fat; (4) plenty of exercise; 



(5) comfortable quarters dry, roomy, well- ventilated, and well lighted; 



(6) freedom from worms and lice. 



1013. Well-balanced rations necessary. The pregnant sow needs a ra- 

 tion containing liberal amounts of protein and mineral matter, especially 

 calcium and phosphorus. This is because considerable amounts of these 

 nutrients are needed in the development of the unborn young, in addi- 

 tion to the supply required for the nourishment of the sow herself. When 

 sows are nursing their litters, there is a still greater need of these nutri- 

 ents, for milk is rich both in protein and in mineral matter. (147-150) 

 Young sows need a larger proportion of protein and mineral matter than 

 mature sows, in order to provide for the growth of their own bodies. In 

 this connection it is important to bear in mind that a large proportion 

 of each year 's pig crop is borne by young gilts only about a year of age. 



Not only must sows receive an ample quantity of protein, but also the 

 protein in the food must be well-balanced in composition. (915) As has 

 been pointed out previously, the quality of the proteins in the ration 

 is a matter of far greater importance in feeding swine than with cattle or 

 sheep. This is because swine are fed chiefly on the grains and grain by- 

 products, all of which contain poorly balanced proteins. For instance, 

 good results are not secured if sows, when not on pasture, are fed such a 

 combination as corn with gluten feed (a corn by-product), even if mineral 

 supplements are added to the ration. (981 ) Without question, brood sows 

 also need supplies of the fat-soluble vitamine and of the water-soluble 

 vitamine. All ordinary rations contain plenty of the latter, but there 

 may sometimes be a lack of the fat-soluble vitamine, especially if white 

 corn is fed as the grain. (939) 



1014. Grain alone unsatisfactory for sows. Many farmers have learned 

 to their sorrow a fact clearly shown by scientific experiments that grain 

 alone is an entirely unsatisfactory winter ration for brood sows. Not 

 only are the grains low in protein, but they are also very deficient in 

 calcium, and the proteins are of an unbalanced nature. Furthermore, 

 with the exception of yellow corn, the common grains are low in the fat- 

 soluble vitamine. On such a ration sows can not be expected to produce 

 large and thrifty litters. In a trial by Eward at the Iowa Station 1 the 

 average weight at birth of pigs from gilts fed only ear corn in winter 

 was but 1.74 Ibs. and only 68 per ct. of the pigs were strong. Compared 

 with this unsatisfactory record, the pigs from gilts fed ear corn with 

 tankage, alfalfa hay, or clover hay to supplement it, averaged 2.18 Ibs. in 

 weight and 92 per ct. of them were strong. ' In a similar trial with year- 

 ling sows, the pigs from sows fed corn alone weighed 1.85 Ibs. on the 

 average and but 41 per ct. of them were strong. On tankage and ear 



'Am. Soc. Anim. Production, Proceedings 1913. 



