Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-26

Tho present emergency demand for
meat calls for two litters Of pigs each
year from each brood SOW. says the
New york State College Of Agricul-
tutre, which gives the following sug-
geStions for managing young pigs:
The feeding of the SOW that has Just
narrowed should be light for four or
five days, but she should gradually be
brought to full feed as the demands
of the pigs and the milk flow increase.
Some of the coarser feeds will give
place to richer concentrates, such as
skim milk. tankage. middlngs, oats,
barley, peas and oil meal. These may
be offered in a watery slop. The feed
ing of the SOW should be liberal rs at
no other time can the growth OF the
pigs be pushed so rapidly or eConom-
ically
AT two or three weeks OF ago the
pigs will begin to,manifest an interest
in the food OF the SOW. At this time
unweaned pigs should have low set
trough. accessible only to them. and
they should be encouraged to go to 1t
to satisfy their hunger The use there
in of sweet milk and little mill feed
such as ground sicved oats and mid
dlings. will soon induce them to eat q
good deal in this way thus supple
menting the milk of the SOW and
Fastening the growth of the pigs
Opinions and practices differ as to
how long to leave pigs with the sow.
WEAVING at four weeks of age usually
is not a good practice If not actually
cruel, the change is too sudden for best
results
Two litters a year may be had II
the pigs are encouraged to eat while
still nursing, as already suggested, and
If they arc not weancd until six to
eight weeks of age. This probably Is
the better practice.
When pigs are left with the sow
for a period as long as from ten to
twelve weeks she practically wcans
them herself, and two litters are i'm
possible. This may be a desirable
plan when fancy or show hogs are de-
sired, but the present emergency calls
for two filters. even though the sow
thereby requiring closer attention.
When weaving takes place the SOW
should be returned to the pigs two or
three times so that the udders may
be MIXED out.
The aim in starting a young pig IS
to secure the right amount OF bone
and muscle In proportion to the use
that Is to be made Of him: pigs to be
fattened should be induced to grow
some first: those intended for breeders
should not be fattened
Probably nothing contributes as
much thrift and growthiness as excr-
else: or putting it the other way round.
nothing will stunt pig quicker than
lack OF exercise. Even young pigs
must be Induced to exercise. though
not too much at first.
A variety of feeds, including succU-
lence and protein, are essential; the
feeder should remember that the stom-
ZACH OF the pig is small Thus Tor
natural reasons. the pig will eat
small amount at n time, hut will eat
often. Therefore. the feeding Of young
pigs three or four times a day at hrst
is good business. Small amounts OF
feed that will be cleaned up quickly,
and feeding at frequent intervals, are
highly important.
The pig feeder has wide choice OIL
feed after the pigs are started. Witf
roots and forage for succulence and
variety of grains with tankage ana
mineral matter they will thrive II kept
sanitary Exclusive corn feeding Is not
profitable. Feeders in New York state
should study the value Of barley FOR
pigs.