SCIENTIFIC S \V1.\K FEEDING 201 



METHOD OF FEEDING 



It is of primary significance that each pig in the lot should 

 get its proportionate amount of the various feed nutrients, 

 and very great harm results if the nutrients, and especially 

 the crude protein, are unequally distributed among the in- 

 dividuals of a lot. For the sake of equal distribution of this 

 ingredient especially, it is suggested that the grains used be 

 ground and mixed with the milk and water, thus making a 

 slop of all the ingredients except the mineral matter. A little 

 of the corn, however, may be fed whole in order to develop 

 the teeth and to accustom the pigs to feed in this form for 

 purposes later in life when it may be advantageous to use feeds 

 in this form. 



The feeding trough should have a swinging panel over it 

 or else be in a separate feeding pen so that the slop can be 

 poured into it without being disturbed by the pigs. When the 

 slop is in the trough and the pigs are all present the panel over 

 the trough may be swung back, or the gate to the extra feeding 

 pen may be opened wide letting all the pigs come to the trough 

 at the same time. Then, if the pigs are of equal size and are 

 not too numerous, a good distribution of the nutrients to the 

 different individuals of the lot will result. 



If it is impossible to have the feeds ground it is still possible 

 to distribute the various nutrients fairly well. If the protein 

 i<* to be fed in the form of soy beans' or peas, these may be 

 harvested and stored away together with the vine. At 

 feeding time enough ma}^ be weighed or measured out to fur- 

 nish the proper amount of protein and this distributed over a 

 large feeding floor or on pasture where the pigs can have free 

 access to it. While the pigs are doing the hulling and grinding, 

 each will have an opportunity to get its share. This also 

 presupposes that pigs of equal size and age are being fed 

 together and that they will eat with approximately the same 

 rapidity. If the protein is thus distributed, the corn may be 

 fed in the form of ear corn or shelled corn. If then the right 

 quantity of water is fed fairly good results will be possible. 

 During the winter season, however, when pigs will not drink 

 enough by such practice it is necessary to mix at least a small 



