190 



THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



4. Rations for Pigs 



During the first month after birth the food for pigs should consist of 

 the milk of the dam. For pigs intended for early market this period 

 should be extended to two months, and to ten weeks for weakly individ- 

 uals. If the milk of the dam is insufficient, a common practice in Ger- 

 many is to provide a goat for wet nurse (Fig. 87), care being observed 

 to select one adapted for the purpose (low hanging udder). Bottle 

 feeding is also practiced under such circumstances. 



As soon as the pigs show a tendency to gnaw foreign objects, which 

 usually occurs at the age of two of three weeks, they should have 

 crushed oats or whole wheat or barley, and this should be followed later 

 with cracked peas and beans. In addition they should have access to pre- 

 pared chalk, (one-third ounce per head per day), as well as soft coal, 



om Landwirtschaftliche Zeitung.) 



earth, sand, pitch, wood ashes, bone meal or charcoal. The lime con- 

 taining materials favor bone development, while the other substances 

 stimulate digestive activity, thus favoring feed utilization and effecting 

 an actual saving of feed. According to trials at the Wisconsin Experi- 

 ment Station the saving thus affected amounts to as much as 28 per cent. 

 By the end of the third or fourth week the milk of the dam may be 

 displaced to the extent of one-half with cow's milk. The latter should 

 be fresh, warm, and slightly diluted with water. Later on skim milk, thin 

 gruels, etc., may be gradually substituted. The latter should be given 

 sparingly at first, one-quarter of a pint, and gradually increased to 1 

 quart. According to Klein, saccharification of the starchy gruels which 

 are gradually substituted for the milk (pp. 33 and 186) is not followed 

 by better assimilation in pigs, as is the case with calves. As they become 

 accustomed to solid food the pigs are gradually weaned. They are sepa- 



