26 



farmers' bulletin 874. 



The most rapid but also the most expensive gains in the pig's life 

 come during the finishing period. During these last few weeks 

 before slaughter the animal is given all the feed he will consume with 

 relish. Much more corn and less protein concentrates are fed dur- 

 ing this period, a representative ration being composed of 10 pounds 

 of corn to 1 pound of tankage. The change in rations must be grad- 

 ual and the increase in feed not too rapid; otherwise the animal is 

 apt to ''go off feed," or lose his appetite. Pastures are very valua- 

 ble at this time, especially those composed of feeds high in protein, 

 for they furnish a cheap source of nitrogen and keep the pig toned 

 up and his appetite keen. A hog will consume a 3^ to 4 per cent 

 grain ration at this time, depending, of course, on the character of 

 the feeds and the weight of the hog, a larger hog eating less in pro- 

 portion to his weight than a smaller one. The self-feeder was pri- 

 marily devised to finish the hog at this time and serves its purpose 

 in excellent fashion. Slightly more rapid and economical gains are 

 made by its use than can be obtained by the best of hand feeding. 



WEIGHTS OP PIGS AT GIVEN AGES. 



A trade paper has published statistics based on information 

 obtained from practical breeders concerning the weights of pigs at 

 various ages. The 12 breeders reporting were asked to state the 

 weights of their own pigs at given ages, and at the same time name 

 the weights which they considered pigs ought to weigh at these ages ; 

 the purpose being to establish a weight standard for swine raisers to 

 work up to. The averages of these figures are given in the table below, 

 also the average weights of 121 pigs bred and fattened at the Bureau 

 of Animal Industry Experimental Farm at Beltsville, Md. The 

 latter weights are shown more in detail in figure 11, and it will be ob- 

 served that they terminate at 8 months, when the animals were 

 marketed. 



Comparison of jric/ ireights at various ages. 



Class. 



Breeders' pigs 



Experimental pigs. 

 Breeders' standard. 



Average weights at- 



Pounds. 

 41 



48 

 63 



Pounds. 

 122 

 140 

 176 



9 months. 



months. 



Pounds. Pounds. 



194 267 



a 235 



263 347 



a Weight at 8 months, when marketed. 



Figure 11 shows- the average of the weekly individual weights ob- 

 tained from 121 hogs on the Bureau of Animal Industry Experi- 

 mental Farm. It is seen from this curve that the fattenino: stock 



