Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1907-12-12
EXPERIENCE IN
HOG FEEDING


We ought to pay more attention to
the selection of the right type of feed
crs, regardless of breed. 1t took me
five years to bring up the average gain
per hog to 30 pounds per month from
birth to time of sale. If we have 40
young brood sows we would select
for breeding stock the 80 which have
made the greatest growth and develop
ment.
1t is very important to have hogs
that will grow rapidly and mature
easily. Select those that are long in
the body. broad across the back, with
good hams and shoulders and that
stand squarely upon their feet mot
those whose hind feet come close to-
gether or extend forward under the
bodyJ They should be straight on the
top, side lines and under lines. Do not
keep breeding stock that will not pro.
duce pigs that can be made to weigh
300 pounds at IL months Of age.
There should be variety of other
foods besides corn. Soy bean hay
makes good feed and contains suffi-
cient protein for brood sows. Glover
hay is also much relished, and alfalfa
is even better; every hog feeder
should have some alfalfa hay for win
ter use.
have obtained the best results by
feeding grain but twice day., and
only what the hogs will eat up clean
at each meal. Every basket or shovel
of corn is counted and If there is any
left uneaten in an hour or two. the
amount is cut down at the next meal.
In feeding too heavy there is very
large waste of grain.
With soy beans, clover and rape It
is easily possible to have succession
of green feed until December. have
used rye and vetch in a successful ex-
pertinent as winter food. These may
furnish green food almost the year
around in central and southeastern
Illinois.
Neither. a hog nor steer can stand
cut in zero weather and SILVER while
eating without loss of flesh and loss
of profit. The feeding floor should, II
possible, be on the south side Of the
building. If necessary, put up pro-
lection six feet high on the west and
north to make the hogs comfortable
while eating.
Keep the floor perfectly clean OF
otherwise you might just as well feed
upon the ground. This will be easily
accomplished If the feeding floor is Is
or 100 feet from the sleeping quarters.
Never feed in the shade.
Hogs drink often but little at time
and it is absolutely essential that they
have all the water they want and
whenever they want it, day and night.
have arranged cement barrels in the
ground with cement troughs on either
side so the dirt cannot get into the
barrels and tank heater in one bar
rel keeps the water constantly open
in the coolest weather.
Under no circumstances should pigs
be allowed to sleep in straw stacks or
manure piles or in any place where
they will get steamy or sweaty; under
such conditions they will become un-
thrifty and will not pay for the feed
they eat. Sleeping places should be
well ventilated and the bedding
changed at least once week. l pre-
fer slough hay for bedding though I
have used oats straw or shredded
fodder.
keep wood ashes before the pigs
all the time and consider them essen.
tial to the development of and strength
of bone. We have often made mis-
takes in thinking we can breed for
bone. To make self feeder fos wood