FEEDING SWINE 307 



get their nourishment largely from pasturage, and only one-half 

 grain feed is given, unless feed is cheap, in which case full grain 

 feed may be continued until they are weaned at four to five months 

 of age. If the sow is to raise two litters a year, the pigs must be 

 weaned at a considerably earlier age, viz., from one and one-half 

 to three weeks old, in order to get the sow bred again in time. To 

 do well, pigs weaned at this age must have had grain before weaning 

 and must also receive skim milk with their grain feed after this pe- 

 riod. If skim milk is not available, a slop is made of hot water and 

 rolled or ground barley, oats, and wheat shorts (1:1:2). A little 

 digester tankage added to the slop before feeding will give good 

 returns. 



The amount of grain fed to pigs on pasture should vary accord- 

 ing to the kind and condition of the pasture, price of grain, thrifti- 



FIG. 80. A thrifty bunch of sows and pigs crowding around the feed troughs a familiar 

 farm scene. (Pacific Rural Press.) 



ness of the pigs, etc. The Oregon station 17 gives the following as 

 a safe rule to go by with regard to feeding grain to pigs on pasture : 

 When the price of pork on foot at the farm is more than three 

 times the price of grain, a rather heavy ration should be given; 

 when the price of pork is five times or less than, the price of grain, 

 a minimum amount should be fed. 



The growing period of pigs will last until they are five to six 

 months old, depending on the method of feeding practised, usually 

 about five months old, when they will have reached a weight of 

 nearly 100 pounds; they are then put on fattening rations. 



The Dietrich Standard for Pigs. Dietrich concludes, from 

 careful studies of the nutrition of pigs conducted during a series 

 of years, that one and the same pig under different conditions may 



17 Circular Bulletin 18. 



