Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-03-21

1t is of the greatest Importance
in producing pigs for the market that
they gain in weight ms rapidly as pos
sible. The modern hog Is highly spe-
cialized and efficient machine for the
conversion of grain and roughage into
edible meat; but to obtain the great
est efficiency, to make the most pork
from a given amount of feed, to make
the best pork, and to make that pork
most economically the machine must
be kept running to capacity from birth
to the time of marketing. Nothing is
more important than this factor. The
question of breeding, the kind of feeds
fed, and the proportion of the pro-
tein to the fattening elements in the
ration are all important and are all
means to the same end, but il the
greatest profit Is to be returned to the
feeder his pigs must make maximum
gains at all times.
Supplement to Sow's MIX.
The first opportunity to force the
pigs comes when they are few weeks
old. Up to this time they have been
living solely on their dams milk; In
fact there is no successful substitute,
as has been demonstrated by repeated
failure to raise newly born pigs on
cows milk. The milk of the sow is
much richer In protein, fat, and ash
than is cows milk, and the latter
makes such poor substitute that pigs
under two weeks of age usually die of
digestive troubles following its exclu-
sive use. After growing for three
weeks the young pigs begin to have an
appetite for some feed to supplement
the sow's milk, and they should be fed,
for unless they are the strain on the
sow will be very serious one. The
pigs will eat from the sow's trough,
especially If she is being fed on thin,
sloppy feeds. A pen should be arranged
adjoining that of the dam and sepa-
rated from 1t by a partition with suf-
ficient room at the bottom to allow
the pigs to run under. In the inclos-
ure to be used by the little pigs place
low shallow trough to contain their
skim milk or mash.
The best feeds for pigs Of this age
are dairy by-products, such as skim
milk. These, mixed with mill feeds, as
middlings, shorts, and even cheap
grade of flour, or with meal of
ground oats from which the hulls have
been removed, give excellent satisfac-
ton. Some feeders use the self-feeder
at this time, placing it inside creep
that will admit the pigs to their grain
at all times. This Is best adapted for
pigs after six weeks old, where there
Is lack of skim milk and they must
be prepared for the period following
weaving without this feed.
castration.
Pigs should be castrated while they
are young; the best time is between
six and eight weeks Of age, before
weaving. At this age there is less
shock to the pig and possibly less check
In growth. If it is still sucking its
dam, the chances are that it will be
more thrifty and in better condition
than when the operation Is performed
Immediately after weaving. A pig six.
seven or eight weeks old Is small
enough to be handled conveniently,
and the testicles are large enough to
render the operation quite simple. For
detailed information on this subject
consult Farmers Bulletin 780, "Cas-
tration of Young Pigs"
WEAVING.
Breeders differ widely as to the age
for weaving. The majority wean at
six to ten weeks, with a considerable
number at twelve weeks; some wean
later than twelve weeks and few ear
lier than six weeks. There should be
no hurry about it; eight weeks is
young enough If skim milk is avail
able. OF course, the size and develop
ment of the pigs have great deal to
do with the weaving age. If skim
milk is not obtainable, it is better to
let them nurse the SOW until ten weeks
old. The weaving should be brought
complete and decisive. The pigs should
be placed apart from the sows in quar-
tiers secure enough to prevent COM
munication. If the SOW is still milk
ing considerably, 1t is best to milk her
dry by hand rather than to return the
pigs to her. The pigs win be no bet
ter off and the SOW infinitely worse
than if weaving is brought about de-
cisively.
Weaving Ration.
Skim milk and corn or skim milk
and shorts, fed in the proportion OF
three to one, make an excellent ration
for weanings. If skim milk is not
available, a mixture of five parts corn
meal, four parts middlings and one
part tankage fed as thin slop issvery
good. Good, succulent pasture is al
ways in order. 1t viii aid wonderfully
in putting growth on the young pigs,
and the grain expense will be less
ened. After the pigs have been weaned'