Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-11-14
FATTENING OF HOGS
Importance of the Use of Grain
and Mill Products

Inc cneape6t metnod OF Iatten
ing hogs is to feed variety Of food
On the majority OF farms the hog'
are pushed forward after the fal
is nearly over, bat they are not al
ways penned in a condition in
which to facilitate the fatteninq
operation. One method of using
corn is to "fiDish OF" with it,
thereby hardening the fat. To
really fatten hog it should
be fed in such a manner
previous to being penned as to
force growth. First build up the
frame for the reception Of the neat
that may be land upon IL, feeding
such foods az should not only for
ward growth, but also keep the
animal in q condition that will en-.
tail but little expense when the
time arrives for getting it fat. To
do this in the most economical
manner pumpkins, bsets, turEiDs,
carrots, water squash and parsni 8,
together with finely cut clover hay,
may be fed with good results. 1t
will not do, however, to feed such
substances in wasteful mar ner.
A caldron or steamer may be used
for cooking large quantity OF
roc to, and a warm feed should be
given early in the morning, the
mass thickened with ground grain
or some of the well-knc wn mill pro-
ducts rich in protein. At noon a
feed composed solely of chopped
roots, fed raw, but not too cold,
will be sufficient. At night they
may be given a liberal supply of
corn. Such foods will not only
keep the hogs in good health, but
will be the cheapest diet at this
season that can be allowed, as the
varied articles will rapidly push
them forward while the weather is
not severe. Do not crowd the hogs,
and feed in such a manner az to
permit them TO eat without COM
petition. The farmer should utilize
anything on the farm that will
serve to assist in making growth
or, fat, and should not overlook
the fact that the market prefers
hogs which contain fair proper
ton Of lean meat as we'll as fat.
Skill in feeding the hogs is i'm
portant. The use of varied foods
will produce the carcass, but as
the hogs are some times in good
condition when pennod for feeding
they will also fatten readily on
other foods than grain, for which
reason they require corn in liberal
quantities ouly for about two
weeks before being slaughtered. IL
should not be overlooked that the
sweetest and tenderest meat is al.
ways produced when the process
OF fattening is done quickly, and |
if this Is followed but. little exercise |
need be allowed the hogs. Exer-
els always hardens the muscles,
and the hog is no exception to the
rule; consequently the more exer-
else taken the tougher the meat.
While it may no doubt be advisable
to permit of some exercise for the
sake of keeping the animals in
good health yet the hogs that
quietly eat their food and take the
rest will nearly always fatten
readily. II is not necessary to
surfeit them with food, but they
should be 80 fed as to receive it at
regular hours and in such quantity
hat they will eat it up clean, but
40 more. In November they can
DO better managed than later in
The season, as the quarters can then
% more easily cleaned, and clean.
mess is conducive to thrift. Pure
water is essential, and slop is not
. substitute for water. Some of
he foods that can be produced in
arge quantities on farms are OK
'ellent for hogs, especially if fed
n connection with grain, among
hem being carrots, beets and
urnips, which may &c fed raw if
the food is too expensive. {
10 not keep them longer than is
necessary, as there lie point in
he feeding of hogs when the gain
n weight may not prove satisfac- {
Org.
Shelter is valuable adjunct to {
he food. As heat is produced from
he food, it is well known that the 8
warmer the animal is kept in win 6
err the less food is required to |
upply it's wants. The winter is G
n excellent time for fattening s
tcck, owing to the outdoor work I
eng then partly suspended, and /
here is no better assistant for that {
urpose than dry quarters. Be- I
ore the animal can lay en- fat the Q
rdinary demands for the heat of /
be body must be provided, and q
uring very severe and cold seasons
be animals cannot even appropri-
to sufficient food to create the .
ecessary heat to sustain life when 4
ley are exposed without shelter. !,
very pound of flesh lost must be !,
.newed, and every day that an A
nimal il fed without gaining 10 =
esh is 80 much time lost that can !,
Of be regained. Shelter, then, is i
in enabling the animals h
} not only supply themselves with h
sat, but also to store on fat, and i
represents just so much grain or a,
ny. The more complete the build .,