The Feeding of Swine 287 
FEEDING THE BREEDING HERD 
Feeding the breeding herd differs essentially from fattening. In 
feeding the herd the object is to keep the animals in a healthy and 
thrifty condition. Flesh formation is to be encouraged and | 
fattening discouraged. If the breeding herd is permitted to be- 
come too fat, the animals fail to breed regularly, the litters are 
small, and the dangers from disease are increased. Feeding thc 
breeding herd naturally divides itself into two parts, summer and 
winter feeding. 
466. Feeding the herd in summer. — It is the common practice 
to confine the breeding herd in too crowded quarters. This close 
confinement and a too.exclusive grain feeding account for much of 
the shy breeding among many of the more prominent breeds. 
Another serious mistake is the too liberat use of corn. While 
no food equals corn for fattening swine, it is not a good grain for 
the breeding animals, and its too exclusive use is a common cause 
of barrenness or of small litters. 
Ample room should be provided. Nothing is better than 
pasturing or soiling. Soilingis likely to involve too much labor 
on the average American farm, but in such cases there is usually 
an abundance of pasture. When on pasture the breeding herd need 
receive no grain until a short time before farrowing, when grain 
should be fed sparingly. The well-fed sow will be more quiet at 
farrowing time and be less likely to injure her pigs than will the 
lean gaunt one lacking in milk. When grain is fed, the kind will 
depend somewhat on the kind of pasture; but as a general rule 
nothing is better than wheat bran or middlings, as it is rich in 
protein and mineral matter, two elements much needed by the 
developing pigs. Furthermore, bran stimulates the flow of milk, 
Waich is very essential for the sow with a large litter. 
87. Pasture for swine. — Swine may be turned to any pasture 
land that is available, — permanent or sown pasture. When 
propery ringed, they are no more injurious to pastures than any 
