FEEDING OF GROWING ANIMALS 299 



prevents the deposition of fat and should be con- 

 tinued until the animals are sexually mature. 

 When they are pregnant they should get increasing 

 quantities of coarsely ground oats and barley. 

 When pregnancy is far advanced the sows may 

 be given some wheat bran and linseed cake, and 

 as these have a loosening tendency upon the 

 bowels they are of benefit. At this stage a richer 

 diet is necessary not only to secure proper develop- 

 ment of the young, but because at the time of the 

 first farrow the sows are not fully grown. Similarly, 

 during the suckling period extra food is needed to 

 furnish milk. 



Young pigs which from the age of 4-6 months 

 are being prepared for the butcher are fed similarly 

 to those intended for breeding purposes, and the 

 aim should be to get well-developed flesh not over- 

 burdened with fat. Animals destined for this 

 purpose may be given a ration with more protein 

 than is given to those kept for breeding. The 

 feeding of pigs on which fattening only commences 

 when they are fully grown, say ij years old, is 

 different, for there a coarse, solid meat with a firm 

 layer of bacon is wanted. In the rearing of these 

 animals they should be given from the time of 

 weaning a ration richer in protein, and this can 

 be done by feeding along with separated milk 

 such foods as roots, rye bran, ground maize. After 

 the fifth month they may be given in addition other 



