344 Pork Production 



under-feed than to over-feed. In order to maintain a 

 keen appetite, to avoid sour troughs, and to insure the 

 most rapid gains and the fewest setbacks, a little less 

 should be fed at each time than would actually be eaten. 

 A good hog-raiser takes more time in feeding his pigs 

 than is necessary merely to throw them their rations; 

 he watches them eat and notes how they "clean up." 

 When the weather is extremely hot, they will want less 

 feed than when it is cool. Feeding three times a day is 

 practicable when maximum gains are desired. 



When feeding limited rations, it is particularly impor- 

 tant that ample trough room be provided so that every 

 pig receives his share. This is especially true when the 

 pigs are of unequal size. So far as practicable, the pig 

 crop should be graded so that only those of about equal 

 strength are together. Like most stock, pigs must be 

 fed regularly if the best results are obtained. Careless 

 methods and irregular habits on the part of the feeder 

 are perhaps more often responsible for the failure of the 

 pigs than almost any other factor. 



The pigs must be healthy and thrifty to respond 

 properly to good rations. It is, therefore, of considerable 

 importance when feeding a group of pigs to make certain 

 that their supply of water is abundant, easily accessible, 

 and pure, that they are free from worms and lice, and 

 that their sleeping quarters are clean and comfortable. 



The self-feeder. 



This device makes it possible for the pigs to feed them- 

 selves. The feeds are supplied in bulk or quantity suffi- 

 cient to last several days or a week, the pigs being given 

 their individual liberty to eat as often as they wish and 

 as much at any time as their appetites dictate or their 



