FEEDING SWINE 307 



suits at this time; she should also be given some roots and be put 

 on pasture as soon as possible. As much of the grain is fed as she 

 will eat up readily. 



After two or three weeks, the pigs should be given some feed in 

 a small trough of their own, and this amount increased as rapidly 

 as they are able to clean up more. When the sows and pigs are 

 on pasture they will eat much less grain, but should be allowed 

 some grain all the time as it will prevent the sow from getting 

 too thin, and will enable the pigs to grow more rapidly; gains 

 made at this time are much cheaper than those made later on, 

 as has been shown before (Fig. 81). After the pigs are about 

 three months old, they should weigh 60 pounds or better; they 

 should get their nourishment largely from pasturage, and only 

 one-half grain feed is given, unless feed is cheap, in which case 

 full grain feed, may be continued until they are weaned at three to 

 four months of age. If the sow is to raise two litters a year, the 



FIG. 81. A thrifty bunch of sows and pigs crowding around the feed troughs a familiar 

 farm scene. (Pacific Rural Press.) 



pigs must be weaned at a considerably earlier age, viz., from two 

 or two and a half months old, in order to get the sow bred again 

 in time. 



To do well, pigs weaned at this age must have had grain before 

 weaning, and must also receive skim milk with their grain feed after 

 this period. If skim milk is not available, a slop is made of hot 

 water and rolled or ground barley oats, and wheat shorts (1 : 1 : 2). 

 A little digester tankage added to the slop before feeding will give 

 good results. 



The amount of grain fed to pigs on pasture should vary accord- 

 in to the kind and condition of the pasture, price of grain, thrifti- 

 ness of the pigs, etc. The Oregon station 17 gives the following as 



"Circular Bulletin 18. 



