164 SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION 



Cost of a fifty-pound pig. — It is possible for a fifty- 

 pound pig to be produced at figures varying all the way 

 from $5 to $50. To figure the cost of a pig at birth, one 

 will have to figure the cost of the sow, interest and in- 

 surance on her for six months, and the cost of her upkeep 

 for six months. Interest, taxes, insurance and other fixed 

 charges would amount to $5 for the six months. The 

 feed cost for six months will range from $10 to $18. If 

 the cost amounts to $18, and there are six pigs, each will 

 cost $.3 at birth. If the cost is $18, and there are nine 

 pigs in the litter, the cost at birth will be about $2, which 

 is a fair average cost figure. It costs all the way from 

 less than 50 cents to over a dollar per week to raise a 

 pig. At eight weeks of age the pig should weigh close to 

 50 pounds, and at a maximum of $1 per week for feed 

 and care, and at $2 each for cost at birth, the total cost 

 would be about $10 each. In many instances it will be 

 possible to produce pigs at eight weeks of age for half 

 the above, or for $5 each. 



Weaning the pig. — The time to wean a pig is when it 

 is from six to eight weeks of age. The weaning process 

 should consist in a gradual feeding of other feeds until 

 the pig can get along without its mother's milk. After 

 weaning the quantity of feed should be increased as 

 rapidly as the pig's appetite indicates. The proportion 

 of concentrates to be fed will depend on what other feeds 

 accompany it. 



Care of the sow and pigs at weaning time. — The wean- 

 ing of pigs should not be sudden. By the time the pigs 

 are eight weeks of age they will have become able to eat 

 almost anything the older hogs can eat, and if they have 



