20 Pork Production 



in the reverse. Furthermore, early breeding, other 

 things being equal, reduces the cost of the pigs at birth. 

 The earlier the gilt can be made a producer, the larger 

 will be the saving in feed, interest, and risk. On the other 

 hand, the practice of depending on undeveloped gilts 

 for the production of the entire pig crop, as is frequently 

 done, cannot be condemned too strongly. The immediate 

 loss is expressed in small litters and imperfect nourish- 

 ment of the pigs. Gilts intended for showing usually are 

 not bred until after they are twelve months old. Show- 

 ing practice necessitates the postponement of breeding 

 even though the future value of the gilt as a producer 

 may be, and often is, sacrificed. 



As a general rule, the gilt that is well developed may be 

 bred safely to farrow when from twelve to fourteen months 

 of age. When an active gilt has reached the weight of 

 200 pounds, she may be bred without danger of sacrificing 

 full development at maturity, provided she is properly 

 fed afterwards. 



Using the young boar. 



Most of the statements made above in regard to the 

 proper breeding age of a gilt apply with equal emphasis 

 to the young boar. To be fit for even limited service in 

 November or December, the boar pig must have been 

 farrowed early, in February or March, he must be well 

 grown for his age, and he should possess a good constitution 

 and natural vigor. With all of these, he must be used 

 judiciously. Experience shows that if the boar pig is 

 used to excess, the probabilities are that his breeding 

 powers will be permanently injured and the pigs produced 

 will have a tendency to weakness and small size. Ordi- 

 narily, the boar should not be allowed to make more 



