Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-07
Care of Brood sows.


already know we are very much inter-
ested in hog production at the Far
mer Farm. AT the present time there
is no class of live stock that is pay
ing the farmers of the northwest bet
ter than hogs when properly handled.
A large share of the success in the
hog business depends on the care o.
the brood sows in the winter time and
spring. Hence. a few words ON this
subject will probably not be amiss at
this time.
At a time when hog prices are as
high as at present many beginners
are apt to embark in the business
and many old breeders will attempt
to raise more hogs than ever before.
During the winter when time hangs
rather heavy on the farmers hands
he can not spend some of it to bet
ter advantage than giving little ex-
ira attention to his brood sows. There
are too many men who are inclined
to think that a hog needs no special
care and expect to reap large rewards
from hogs that are raised in the sur
roundings that abound in filth and
unsanitary conditions. Now there is
perhaps no other farm animal that
will respond more readily to cleanli-
ness than the much abused hog and
a few efforts along this line will give
ample returns.
In the care of brood sows we will
take it for granted that they have
clean, warm sleeping quarters. In
addition to this, plenty of exercise,
a ration rich in protein. and access
to clean drinking water are absolutely
essential in the proper management
of brood sows. BY exercise we do
not mean that large surface of hard
floor is sufficient. They should have
free access to a large yard or prefer
ably to a pasture lot and should be
driven out every day if they show any
inclination to stick close to the Sleep
ing quarters. OF course there are a
few very stormy days when the hogs
are lust as we'll off on the inside. but
such days are few and far between.
A certain amount of exercise is neces-
sary for each animal and the hog is
no exception to this rule.
In regard to the feeding of a pro-
tein ration to the brood SONS too
much can hardly be said. The man
who raises hogs in a ihaphazard man
ner finds the easiest way to feed
them is to shovel corn to them day in
and day out without change of any
kind and of course it makes the sows
look fat and sleepy. While fat SOW
is good to loko at and fills the pork
barrel she is not a good proposition
as the mother of a lusty lot of young
steers. The sow as we'll as every other
breeding animal needs bone and flesh
forming foods and will not do we'll
without them. Perhaps the most
available feeds about the farm for this
purpose are oats, barley and wheat.
where the latter grain is grown IN
large quantities. Oats and wheat may
be fed whole and in either dry or
cooked form. OF course in winter
soaking is out of the question unless
a warm room can ibe provided for
this purpose. 1t is astonishing to see
how long bunch of sows will stand
at the trough and grind UP dry oats
with apparent relish. Barley is most
satisfactory when ground and mixed
in the slop. Where it is convenient
a little warm slop of bran or shorts
makes a very desirable change in the
ration. You will occasionally meet a
man who keeps his hogs in cold sleep
ing quarters and never gives them
any warm feed so that they may
better be able to stand the bad wealth
err, but you will find the same man