RATIONS FOR PIGS 191 



rated from the sows and the intervals between nursings are lengthened 

 from time to time. 



Pigs intended for breeding purposes should have chopped beets by the 

 time they are three months of age, or cooked or steamed potatoes, dried 

 potatoes, ground corn and tender green feed, especially red clover. The 

 males should have somewhat more nitrogenous food than the females. 

 One hectare of clover furnishes sufficient pasture for 25 to 40 shoats 

 (one acre for 10 to 16 shoats). Soil and weather conditions must of 

 course be suitable. Stubble fields and potato and beet fields, after the 

 main crop has been harvested, are also suitable runs for young pigs. In 

 addition to the latter, extra rations should of course be supplied. A mere 

 run for young pigs is only a makeshift. 



Young pregnant sows should have gradually increased rations of 

 ground oats or barley, and later on, especially after farrowing, they 

 should have wheat bran and linseed cake. 



The following table contains hints for combinations of feeding stuffs 

 suitable for breeding stock. They are based on 1,000 pounds live weight. 

 The values in parentheses apply to fattening pigs of early maturity. 



Digestible 

 Age in Months Live Weight Dry Matter Albumen Fat Carbohydrates 



pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds 



2 to 3 40(40) 44(44) 6.2(6.2) 1.0(1.0) 28.0(28.0) 



3 to 5 80(90) 36(36) 4.0(4.5) 0.8(0.9) 23.5(24.0) 



5 to 6 120(130) 32(32) 3.0(3.5) 0.5(0.7) 21.0(22.0) 



6 to 8 160(180) 28(28) 2.3(3.0) 0.3(0.5) 19.0(20.0) 



9 to 12 240(270) 25(25) 1.7(2.5) 0.2(0.3) 15.0(19.0) 



Since most of the feeding stuffs commonly fed to swine are deficient 

 in lime (potatoes, beets, grains), it is advisable to give daily rations of 

 from one-sixth to one-third of an ounce of prepared chalk, and in case 

 of phosphorus deficiency, like abount of precipitated calcium phosphate. 



Pigs intended for fattening at the age of 6 months should have more 

 proteids from the beginning than breeding stock (for nutrient standards 

 see p. 165). If it is not intended to fatten the pigs until they are mature 

 (12 to 18 months) they should have rations with somewhat less protein, 

 in the form of whey, wheat bran, feed meal, corn, beet pulp, distillery 

 slops, chaff and soiling crops, unless for some reason it is preferred to 

 give the run of a pasture. 



For intensive feeding of growing pigs, easily digestible, highly avail- 

 able feeding stuffs, like cracked grains and leguminous seeds, feed meals, 

 potatoes, meat meal, blood meal and fish meal, creamery by-products, 

 etc., are necessary. The more digestible the feed and the more avail- 

 able the nutrients, the more rapidly will the animals accumulate muscle 

 and fat. Special care is necessary in the selection of the proper feeding 

 stuffs for the last 7 or 8 weeks of the fattening period. The consump- 

 tion of large quantities of feeding stuffs rich in the various oils and fats 



