CHAPTEB X 

 CAEE OF THE BROOD SOW 



To have brood sows in prime condition at the beginning of the 

 breeding season, in the Fall, it is well to have them come off from 

 good fresh grass or pasture of some kind, having for a short time 

 been fed grain and being in a slightly gaining condition. This 

 usually brings them in season very shortly, and generally where 

 there are many, all will come in season about the same time. This 

 is well, as it enables a large number to be bred as near the same 

 time as possible, and the litters to arrive about the same time in 

 the Spring, thereby giving one a large number of youngsters of 

 practically the same age. 



During the time these sows are being bred and carrying their 

 litters they should be fed absolutely right for best results. First 

 and all the time they should have plenty of exercise the more the 

 better. If they could run about the pastures and fields during the 

 daytime, between the feeding periods, it would be well, and they 

 should sleep some distance from where they are fed. 



Her Feed. The feed should be composed of a variety and 

 should be as nearly a balanced ration as possible, containing the 

 proper amounts of both fat and bone-making material, and never 

 solely an all-corn ration. Of course corn is the cheapest feed one 

 can use in the cornbelt, especially if he grows it on his own farm, 

 and if this must be used for the sake of economy, it can be to the 

 amount of about three-fourths of the ration, with the other fourth 

 composed of feeds containing a high percentage of protein. Tankage 

 fed in the proportion of one-tenth to nine-tenths corn, makes prac- 

 tically a balanced ration. Hogs on alfalfa or green feed, need less 

 tankage. For convenience it would be better to grind the corn and 

 mix the tankage with the meal, which can be fed dry or soaked 

 and fed as a slop. 



"With this ration a feed of the third cutting of alfalfa hay, which 

 is always bright and green, would be an excellent addition, giving 

 both bulk and green feed for the sows. 



A mixture of one part shelled corn, one part oats, and two parts 

 finely cut alfalfa hay put through a cutting box, makes a nicely 

 balanced ration, with the addition of five per cent, tankage, or where 

 skim milk is plentiful, use it instead of tankage, in the proportion 

 of three pounds of skim milk to one of grain. 



Another good ration is equal parts of rye and barley ground 

 fine and mixed with twenty-five per cent white middlings or shorts 

 on account of price of middlings, although middlings are very 

 good adding about five per cent, oil meal or tankage. This makes 

 almost an ideal ration. 



36 



