FEEDING SWINE 



309 



less protein than the other feeds. " This would also increase the 

 carbohydrate, hence the corn would have to be correspondingly de- 

 creased. Or these may be left out and more skim milk added. 

 Some of the protein may also be supplied in the form of clover or 

 alfalfa. If skim milk is not available, more of some other nitrog- 

 enous feeds may be supplied, and also more water, as milk is 85 

 to 90 per cent water. If tankage containing 60 per cent protein is 

 used in place of soybean meal, much less will suffice, as tankage is 

 richer in protein. 



" The above is intended for dry lot feeding (Fig. 82). If pigs 

 are on pasture, these quantities should be reduced. If the above 

 ration is used in a dry lot, a little bran or shorts used in place of 

 part of the corn so as to give the ration more bulk will improve it. 

 A greater variety of feeds will probably also make the ration better." 

 Swine may grind their own grain, as shown in figure 74. 



FIG. 82. A cement feeding floor provided with sanitary substantial troughs is an essential 

 to a well-equipped piggery. (Wisconsin Station.) 



Fattening Swine. In the corn belt States, which supply a 

 large proportion of the hogs fattened for market, the common 

 practice is to keep the hogs with fattening steers until three to 

 four weeks before the end of the fattening period, when they are 

 penned and finished for market. As previously shown, the number 

 of hogs put with the steers will vary with the form in which corn 

 is fed to the latter; the extra grain which the hogs receive is 

 likewise determined by this factor, and the amount of undigested 

 feed in the droppings of the steers (p. 273). If the steers are fed 

 snapped ear corn or whole shelled corn, much more passes through 

 undigested and becomes available to the hogs in the droppings than 

 if soaked corn, ground corn, or corn and cob meal is fed. If the 



