692 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



a heated automatic waterer is provided, feeding warm slop is probably 

 not worth the added trouble, even in the northern states. More and 

 more are hog raisers giving up the slop barrel, which often becomes a 

 filthy method of feeding swine. (923) 



It is not a good plan to allow pregnant sows, especially those heavy 

 in pig, to follow fattening cattle. They are apt to become too fat and 

 also to be injured by the cattle. 



1023. Water; salt, and other mineral supplements. Plenty of clean 

 fresh water should always be furnished brood sows, and the supply should 

 be conveniently accessible so they will take enough for their body 

 requirements. In winter thruout the northern states it is wise to provide 

 a heated automatic waterer. Many men foolishly make no other provision 

 for watering their sows than to pour cold water into a colder trough once 

 or perhaps twice a day. Often the water freezes over in a little while, 

 and for the rest of the day the thirst of the sows must be unsatisfied. 



Brood sows should always be supplied with salt. This had best be fed 

 in a suitable box or self-feeder, so they can take what they wish. 



Whether it will be beneficial to add other mineral supplements, will 

 depend on the ration fed. "With good legume hay and such animal feeds 

 as dairy by-products, tankage, or fish meal, there is generally no need of 

 any mineral except common salt. If there has been trouble from hairless 

 pigs, iodine should be supplied, as is pointed out elsewhere. (916) When 

 rations are fed which are low in calcium or phosphorus, mineral supple- 

 ments should be added which furnish these essentials. This matter is 

 discussed fully in preceding chapters, and it is pointed out that there is 

 no evidence whatsoever that better results are secured by feeding ex- 

 pensive proprietary mineral mixtures than by using the simple mixtures 

 there recommended. (99, 916) 



1024. Exercise; shelter. An abundance of exercise for the pregnant 

 sows is absolutely indispensable if thrifty pigs are to be expected. To 

 force the sows to take plenty of exercise, it is a good plan to feed them 

 at a point quite a long ways from their sleeping quarters. If there is 

 at this place a rack with choice legume hay, the sows will make many 

 trips back and forth each day. When sows are fed ear corn and the 

 allowance is properly limited, they will spend considerable time search- 

 ing for the last kernels, and the longer they can be kept on their feet, 

 the better it is for their health. If a ground concentrate mixture is fed, 

 it is often a good plan to scatter a little shelled corn, whole oats, or sheaf 

 oats on the ground for them to work over. Sows heavy in pig should 

 not be compelled to plow thru snowdrifts, but paths should be made for 

 them. Ashes or litter, such as straw, should be put on icy places, else 

 they may slip and wrench themselves, which may result in abortion. 



Shelter for swine is discussed in a preceding chapter. (931) It is 

 there pointed out that the prime essentials are that winter quarters be 

 dry, well-lighted and well-ventilated, but free from drafts. There 

 should be sufficient room so that the sows can keep their beds clean and 



