THE YOUNG PIGS 



239 



with the sow. If skim-milk is not available, it is generally 

 advisable to defer weaning for two weeks more, and special 

 pains should be taken to have the pigs well accustomed to their 

 new feed and eating heartily before they are weaned. 



Skim-milk and middlings make about the best feed for 

 young pigs after weaning. If the middlings are fine and 

 floury, which is not very likely to occur under present-day 

 methods of milling, they will sometimes cause indigestion, 

 which may show itself either in the form of diarrhea or con- 

 stipation. Diluting the middlings with a little bran or finely 



Courtesy Illinois Experimental Station, 



FIG. 53. Group of Yorkshire bacon pigs. 



ground oats will help prevent the trouble. Soaking or scalding 

 the middlings will also tend to prevent digestive troubles. Scald- 

 ing the middlings is especially useful when no skim-milk is to be 

 had, as it makes the pigs like the feed better. To scald the 

 middlings, it is best to pour boiling water on them, cover the 

 vessel, and allow to stand several hours, or from one time of 

 feeding until the next. When the pigs are first weaned, it is 

 better to feed four times a day, giving only a small quantity of 

 feed each time, and taking care to keep the trough clean. When 

 well started, they may be changed to three feeds a day. 



Other Feeds. It is not well to be in a hurry to commence 

 feeding corn, but if skim-milk is fed, corn feeding may com- 

 mence earlier than when no skim-milk is available. Generally 



