700 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



should solve all difficulties. (957-60) In the absence of this, the pro- 

 portion of tankage, linseed meal, wheat middlings, etc. should be large 

 enough to provide a nutritive ratio of 1 : 4.0 or 1 : 4.5 for pigs not on 

 pasture and of 1 : 5.0 or 1 : 6.0 for those having good forage. 



1034. Growing and fattening pigs. In the preceding chapter the 

 various rations which are satisfactory for growing and fattening pigs 

 have been discussed in detail. A study of the various trials there re- 

 ported will show anyone which combinations of feed are most economical 

 under his local conditions. 



The importance of good protein-rich pasture for all swine thruout 

 the entire growing season cannot be too strongly emphasized. Pasture is 

 especially important for young pigs, as it keeps them growing thriftily, 

 and also greatly reduces the cost of the gains made. In fact, no one 

 should expect a good profit from his pigs if he fails to provide this 

 nutritious and economical feed. In addition to such pasture as alfalfa, 

 clover, or rape, at least 2 Ibs. of concentrates daily per 100 Ibs. live 

 weight should be fed, except where pasture is unusually cheap compared 

 with grain, and the allowance of concentrates should never be less than 1 

 Ib. daily per 100 Ibs. live weight. (924) Pigs should gain at least one-half 

 to three-fourths pound a day. 



In the corn belt, self -feeding pigs on pasture has become a common 

 practice, except for breeding stock. The use of the self-feeder for grow- 

 ing and fattening pigs has been discussed fully in a preceding chapter. 

 (925-8) Where the amount of concentrates fed in summer on pasture is 

 limited, the pigs should be finished in the fall on all the concentrates 

 they will eat, hand-fed or self -fed. In the corn belt when new corn is 

 ready, pigs are quite commonly fattened on new ear corn or snapped 

 corn, along with a suitable protein-rich supplement. As has been pointed 

 out previously, turning pigs into standing corn to ' * hog down ' ' the crop 

 is often an economical practice. (942) 



Whether to crowd spring pigs to an early finish by self -feeding them 

 concentrates on pasture, or whether to force them to consume more 

 pasture by restricting their concentrate allowance, will depend entirely 

 on the relative prices of grain and pasture, and the prices for pork at 

 the various times in the fall and winter. (983) Many corn belt farmers 

 find it most profitable to have the spring pigs farrowed early and then to 

 crowd them on self-feeders for an early market, so that they can sell them 

 in the fall before the usual slump in the price of pork occurs. In the 

 West, where alfalfa pasture or other pasture is cheap, compared with 

 grain, it is usually more profitable to restrict the allowance of grain and 

 finish the pigs for a later market, perhaps after prices have recovered 

 somewhat from the usual fall slump. Pigs should always be provided 

 with an abundance of fresh water in a trough or an automatic w&terer. 

 If self-feeders and automatic waterers are used, it should be borne in 

 mind that even with these labor-saving devices one cannot expect success 

 if he does not give the proper attention to his pigs. One should see daily 



