Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-08-24
.5HRM BOYS
C0RNeR
WHY PIGS MAY FAIL
TO MAKE GAINS

Last week we considered the meth
cd of raising pigs by which they are
made to weigh from 200 to 252 lbs.
when they are from six and a half
to seven months old. 1t was noted
that these were about average re-
suits under farm conditions where
this method is used, and also that
, the gains are generally cheaper THAI
when the hogs are fed by hand even
i'm the most skillful manner.
LAS a matter of fact, there ara
many instances where the gains by
this method have been considerable
above the average given. In some
cases hogs at eight months have
made am average weight of 325 to
$50 pounds; and the cost of this
pork has been about the same as
when the hogs made slower growth
and gains.
In view of the experience of the
past three Or four years, it is fair
to say that if pigs weigh less than
210 pounds at seven months, the
method of handling them has not
!, been good; and that if they are
kept longer than this, the gain
should be considerably more than a
) pound a day Al moderate e0pecta-
tion for example, at eight months is
NOT far from 26O pounds; and it is
easily possible under actual farm
conditions to make them weigh
more than this.
If they fall below these weights,
when grown by the method deserib-
ed good cause for the failure usu.
ally exists. Let us look into some
of these causes OF poor results.
One lis that the breeding stock
is lacking in vigor. This may he
true whether pure-bred or scrub
stock is used. We may put it down
that weak esq and delieacy from i'm
!, proper breeding can never be made
Iup by methods of feeding nor by
any other means for that matter.
Strong, vigorous stock is the very
first Ssential to success.
!, The brood sows may have receiv-
ed a one-sided ration before farrow-
, ing. 1t is useless to expect them
, to produce strol g, healthy litters if
| they are not given in their feed all
j, the Clements reqCired to make
| bone, muscle and other tissues. Yet
, many people seem to think this very
thing.
f PleIHy of fresh clean, water is alb
, solutely necessary, not merely twice
l day, but all the time; and it is
d just as necessary that the water sup
\ ply, the pastule, ard the feeder all
be close together. Few people un-
: derstand how often growing pigs
( wart water and by making them
: travel long distances to reach it
r or to reach the pasture either, the
| energy of the feed will be largely
l consumed, and so their gains will
uSustIs Ue oIlieiil.
- Worms and lice will both prevent
the pigs from making proper gains.
/ In fact these parasites are actually
: costing some tanners several hum
$ dred dollars a year, though the lat
S ter, iii Macy cases, do not suspect
: it, How to prevent this will be TAX
/ EN- up perhaps next week.
= Salt should be kept before the
l. pigs at all times. Ii possible, wood
: ashes should be provided also; but
: if lot, air Stacked lime may be used
. Mineral food is necessary to bone
a growth, but often it is not provided
t i'm proper amounts. AS regards salt,
q pigs eat only what they need, il
/ it is kept before them all the
f time. Ii this is not done, they may
a be so hungry for it that they will
: eat so much as to kill them. They
A should instead be brought upon it
e grad ually If they have never had
a lit,