64 Pork Production 



FEEDING THE MATURE BOAR 



It is as important that the mature boar be properly fed 

 during the winter as that he have a reasonable amount 

 of exercise and sanitary quarters. His energy and breed- 

 ing capacity in May will be conditioned largely on the 

 care exercised in his feeding during the winter. Prac- 

 tically the same combination of feeds recommended for 

 the mature sows during this time is suitable for the boar. 

 However, since under average conditions his quarters 

 are more restricted and his opportunity for grazing more 

 limited than the sows', his ration should contain a larger 

 variety. In the absence of some legume hay or succulent 

 feed, wheat-bran or linseed-oil meal should be added to 

 forestall any tendency to constipation. The amount of 

 feed should be limited to practically a maintenance 

 ration. Nine out of every ten mistakes in feeding the 

 mature boar arise from supplying him too liberally and 

 allowing him to become too fat. This means not only 

 a waste of feed but a serious handicap on his future 

 breeding powers. The amount fed should, therefore, 

 be determined by his condition and weight and any gain 

 deferred to just before the opening of the next breeding 

 season. 



FEEDING THE OPEN GILTS AND YOUNG BOARS 



The prime object in feeding young prospective breed- 

 ing stock is to secure a strong and reasonably rapid de- 

 velopment. With this end in view, the gilts which are 

 not bred and boars of the same age should receive rations 

 during the winter which will promote growth rather than 

 the production of fat. Their demands for bone and 

 muscular development should be supplied and a tendency 



