490 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



litters, the ration should be carefully prepared to suit their needs. 

 It is very important to avoid stunting little pigs, for growth once 

 checked proves permanent and means loss of profit. Begin feeding 

 small quantities of this ration to pigs about four weeks old, and con- 

 tinue for 2 weeks: Ground oats (hull free), 35 pounds; wheat mid- 

 dlings, 35 pounds; corn meal, 20 pounds; oil meal, 8 pounds; salt, 

 2 pounds. (Wis. B. 184.) 



Feed for Pigs After Weaning. Pigs just weaned should be fed 

 from 3 to 5 times a day. They took meals from their mother every 

 two hours, and too sudden a change is detrimental. After they 

 start growing vigorously, cut down to 2 meals a day. When they 

 weigh 75 pounds each, if on good pasture, feed once a day and that 

 at night. 



A variety of grains will give larger and cheaper gains than 

 will any single feeds. Peas, barley, wheat, rye, milo maize and 

 corn are the grains used in Colorado. Soak from 24 to 48 hours, 

 feeding at least 2 grains. Do not sour the feed, and keep all uten- 

 sils sweet and clean. Half the weight of a 200 pound pig should bo 

 made from pasture. Alfalfa makes the best pasture, followed by 

 rape, clover and a mixture of wheat, oats and barley, sown thick. 

 (Colo. B. 146.) 



The following ration is suited to swine from weaning time 

 until weighing 250 to 300 pounds. If for market, supply all the ear 

 corn they will eat in addition. Skim milk will be valuable also. 

 The oil meal in the slop keeps the other feeds from settling in the 

 barrel. It also regulates the digestive organs. Corn meal, 30 

 pounds; ground oats, 30 pounds; wheat middlings, 30 pounds; oil 

 meal, 8 pounds; salt, 2 pounds. Feed as a slop. (Wis B. 184.) 



After weaning the pigs, continue the skim-milk and shorts ra- 

 tion, gradually adding heavier grains and giving a larger proportion 

 of skim milk as they grow and develop. In our experience, skim 

 milk is almost an indispensable food for young pigs. When fed on 

 grain alone, whether wheat, barley or corn, especially if confined in 

 a pen, they make very slow growth, and make very poor use of the 

 food consumed. This probably would not apply to hogs after they 

 attain a live weight of forty to sixty pounds. Young pigs always 

 do better, however, on a variety of foods, and for this reason, as well 

 as for the advantage of the exercise and healthful surroundings, a 

 shady pasture is an excellent place to raise them. In addition to 

 the pasturage, however, young pigs, especially, need some grain 

 feed. (Utah B. 94.) 



The pigs should be fed a slop of equal parts corn meal and 

 shorts twice a day till they are twelve or fourteen weeks old, so as to 

 give them a vigorous start, and they should receive all the soaked 

 corn they will eat up till they are turned into the early cowpea pas- 

 ture in July. This may be done when about half the pods begin to 

 turn (from July 15 to August 1). Prior to this time the pigs^are 

 pastured on rape and clover. About August 20 turn the pigs into 

 the corn, and after September 20 give them full range of the corn, 



