FEEDING SWINE 245 



A pig of proper age and weighing under 100 

 pounds will require less than 300 pounds of feed 

 to yield 100 pounds of increase, while a mature hog 

 weighing 300 pounds will demand over 500 pounds 

 of feed to yield 100 pounds of increase. There is, 

 therefore, a decided economy in feeding hogs only 

 up to a certain point. This point ranges from 175 

 to 250 pounds, depending on circumstances the 

 market price of hogs, and the sale value of feed. 

 In these days few hogs are fattened by feeders until 

 they attain a weight of 400 or 500 pounds. If they 

 were, every pound of gain would cost twice as much 

 as it would fetch in the market. 



Rations Are Narrow at First. The first food of 

 the pig is milk; and milk is a narrow ration. Soon 

 after birth additional food is demanded that will ad- 

 mit the gradual introduction of the carbohydrate 

 ingredients. Middlings, shelled corn, or corn meal 

 may each be profitably used. If $lim milk is avail- 

 able, it will supply abundant protein, but corn meal, 

 middlings or shorts should be added also. This 

 combination is easily furnished as a slop, which 

 may be continued even until the beginning of the 

 fattening period. 



The young pigs, during their suckling days, will 

 do best if fed additional slop in a separate pen and 

 away from the mother and the larger pigs. Runs 

 in which are grown green grasses, the clovers and 

 other forage crops are indispensable if pork is to be 

 made at profitable returns. Provided for in this 

 manner, the pigs will widen their ration in accord- 

 ance with their needs. 



