The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-02-11
b. HOG-RAISING HINTS.
Disadvantages of Low Market May
Be Overcome by Timely Breeding.

of the country. The hog should be a
paying animal. He requires less Ia
Dor, less equipment, less capital, he
makes greater gains on 100 bounds of
concentrates, reproduces himself fast
err and in greater numbers, and returns
the money faster than any other farm
animal The fact remains, however,
that prices paid for hogs are low and
discouraging. In spite of these
prices the animal that possesses the
above advantages can still lift mort
cages for his owner if the latter will
study and apply some of the funda-I
mental principles underlying the bust
ness.
To begin with, the best can be made
of a poor market by having the hogs
ready at the time when they are most
wanted by that market. This nor
mally occurs during the spring and
again during early fall. The Septem-
Der and October markets are usually
the highest. How can the farmer take
advantage of these facts to the great
est degree? In the first place, the
hog wanted by the market usually
runs between us and US pounds
Fortunately this is the most economi-
cal weight at which to dispose of the
hog. Up to this point his gains are
made very cheaply. Beyond 800 lbs
it is doubtful if under general condi-
tons feeding can be made profitable
business. The hog, if properly fed,
can readily be put upon the market at
Therefore have the pigs for the Sep,
TENDER market dropped in the latter
part of February or during March
This will require that the breeding OF
the sows begin about the latter part
of October or November first, con-
tinuing, if necessary, during the frs,
week in December. The pigs for the
April market should be dropped in
early September. These pigs can then
be weaned before the November
breeding season starts. To have the
pigs dropped in September it will be
necessary to breed the sows during
May or early June. Under certain
conditions it may be impossible to
bring hogs to the 200-pound mark at
six months; however, great effort
should be made to attain this goal, as
time means money, and the longer
hogs are held the greater will be the
labor and overhead charges. The cost
of feed for maintenance also will be
increased.
Further, in connection with the re-
lation of markets to hog raising, il
will be noticed in going over the his
tory of some of the leading markets
for the last ten years or so that there
is recovery every two to four years
" It might be we'll, therefore, to remem
Der that this poor time to close out
as reaction may be expected and thu
wise farmer will be ready when it ar
rives.
Breeding, narrowing, Weaving.
On the average farm there SHOULD
be radical improvement in breeding
and the care of details during farrow
ing, weaving, etc. There are man,
complaints throughout the countr,
either of small filters or else a grea
mortality in pigs. By keeping the pro
/ duction records of sows and selecting
\ from those that produce and rails
large average filters breeder cal
raise to its most efficient point tn
size of his litters. This probably run
between seven and eight to the litter
The hog raiser can prevent losses
other than those caused by disease, b.
providing proper shelter for the SOY
at narrowing time. In the South thi
shelter can be constructed very cheap
ly, and even in the North it can b
provided in most cases at moderat
cost. The farmer should always b
/ present at narrowing time, but shoul
/ not interfere with the SOW unless nee
Il essity calls for his assistance. TIL
raiser should always cultivate the con
Il fdence of his animals by quiet an
humane handling: this care and al
/ tention in times of necessity will pa
Il big returns The pigs upon arrive
II should be rubbed dry with a gum
Il sack and quietly removed to plac
II of safety. For this purpose it is we
II to provide a covered basket or ham
II per>containing gunny sacks: In cole
II damp weather it may be we'll to war;
II a brick, wrap it in gunny sack, an
II place it in the basket to warm up. tn
II new arrivals. If the sow is very lon
H in narrowing, it may be well after tw
H or three hours to place the little pig
carefully and quietly where they ca
Il get some nourishment and then RI
Il place them in the basket until tn
mother is through.
Il For II hours before narrowing an
for "a hours afterwards the so
should have no feed During this pc
iod all the fresh. clean water that 81
may desire should be accessible. II
water should have the chill taken OF
The first feed after narrowing Shout
be very light, preferably a bran mas
The best indicator OF the amount
iced necessary for sow and her pit
\ is her condition and the condition
the Youngsters themselves. The so
should receive enough to keep her az
II her pigs in fair condition TN
bony). and yet she should not be ov
fed, Over feeding Of the sow oftt
causes scours in the pigs.
The pigs should be weaned at o or
weeks Of age. BY this time ih'
should be continued for two or tnr
weeks on the same mixture that the
mother was receiving, after which Il