CHAPTER TWEL\"E. 



CARE OF THE BROOD SOW FROM BREEDING SEASON 

 UNTIL WEANING OF PIGS. 



To lia-\e brood sows in prime condition at the beginning 

 of the breeding season, in the Fall, it is well to have them 

 come off from good fresh grass or pasture of some kind, 

 having for a short time been fed grain and being in a 

 slightly gaining condition. This usually brings them in 

 season A'ery shortly, and generally where there are many, all 

 will come in season about the same time. This is well, as 

 it enables a large number to be bred as near the same time 

 as possible, and the litters to arrive about the same time in 

 the Spring, thereby giving one a large number of young- 

 sters of practically the same age. 



During the time these sows are being bred and carrying 

 their litters they should be fed absolutely right for best 

 results. First and all the time they should have plenty of 

 exercise — the more the better. If they could run about the 

 ])astures and fields during the daytime, between the feeding 

 periods, it would be well, and they should sleep some dis- 

 tance from where they are fed. 



The feed should be composed of a variety and should be 

 as nearly a balanced ration as possible, containing the 

 proper amounts of both fat and bone-making material, and 

 never solely an all-corn ration. Of course corn is the 

 cheapest feed one can use, in the cornbelt, especially if he 

 grows it on his own farm, and if this must be used for the 

 sake of economy, it can be to the amount of about three- 

 fourths of the ration, with the other fourth composed of 

 feeds containing a high percentage of protein. Tankage 

 fed in the ]:)roportion of one-tenth to nine-tenths corn, 

 makes practically a balanced ration. Hogs on alfalfa or 

 green feed, need less tankage. For convenience it would 

 be better to grind the com and mix the tankage with the 



