350 FEEDS AND FEEDING, ABRIDGED 



impression of many farmers that pigs do better on ground than on 

 whole corn. 



Later trials at the Indiana - and Iowa ^ Stations show that until pigs 

 reach a weight of about 150 lbs. there is no appreciable benefit from 

 grinding com or even shelling it, ear corn producing the cheapest gains. 

 However, after pigs have reached this weight, they chew their feed 

 less thoroly and therefore usually make slightly more rapid gains 

 and require somewhat less feed per 100 lbs. gain if the corn is either 

 ground or soaked. Whether this saving, which will average 4 to 6 per 

 ct., will cover the cost of preparation must be decided by the feeder. 



"With the small grains, such as wheat, barle}^, oats, and the grain 

 sorghums, more of the grain passes thru the animal unmasticated, and 

 therefore grinding pays, even for pigs under 150 lbs. in weight. In 

 9 trials at 5 stations in which pigs were fed whole or ground wheat, 

 rye, oatSj-'barlej^ or peas, there was an average saving of 12 per ct. 

 by grinding. Where the grain can not be conveniently ground, it 

 should be soaked for about 12 hours, but not allowed to ferment. 



Cooking' feed. — Early agricultural authorities strongly advocated 

 cooking feed for swine, but numerous trials at several stations have 

 proved conclusively that, instead of a gain from cooking, there is in 

 nearly every case a loss. In 26 trials in which pigs were fed either 

 cooked or uncooked grain (corn, barley, rye, peas, or wheat shorts, 

 fed separatel}^ or in combination), 89.4 lbs. of uncooked grain was as 

 valuable, on the average, as 100 lbs. of the same grain when cooked, 

 a loss of over 10 per ct. by cooking. Some few feeds, such as potatoes 

 and field beans, are improved by cooking. In winter slop should be 

 warmed, but not cooked, for pigs in cold quarters. 



Water required by pigs. — Dietrich,'* who has given the subject 

 careful study, concludes that the proper amount of water for pigs 

 ranges from 12 lbs. daily per 100 lbs. of animal at weaning time down 

 to 4 lbs. per 100 lbs. live weight during the fattening period. Unless 

 pigs secure plenty of water in the form of slop, they should be supplied 

 with fre.sh water in a trough or by means of an automatic waterer. 

 Dietrich holds that pigs do not usually drink enough water in winter, 

 and should be forced to take more by giving it, warm if necessary, in 

 their slop. 



There is generally no advantage in wetting feeds, unless the pigs 

 will not otherwise drink enough water. When wheat meal is fed, it 

 forms a past}^ gummy mass in the mouth, difficult to chew and swallow ; 

 feeding it as a thin slop largely prevents this trouble. 



2 King, Proc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Prod., 1913, pp. 22-31. 



3 Kennedy and Bobbins, Iowa Bui. 106. 



4 Swine, p. 156. 



