The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-05-20
FHE SPRING LITTER
tarefu Feeding and Manage
ment Spell Success.


Clsmson College.-With hog prices
an unprecedented level, q shortage
hoss N the European countries,
nd prospects for large export trade
nth the Central powers upon the dec
kfatisn OF peace, the production OF
oss should be one Of the most i'm
ortant enterprises Of the farm In
p19. especially in the South with its
atursl advantages for growing for
BE, which Is one of the most impor-
knt factors for economic pork pro-
uction.
The first period in the feeding and
Management of a litter Of pigs begins
hen the SOW becomes pregnant and
hds when she farrows. The second
eriod begins with the birth Of the
hgs and continues until the pigs
bach maturity or are marketed. BY
bis time most of the spring pigs have
cen farrowed, and the problem now
to push them rapidly and econom.
Fally for the market. II the pregnant
bw's ration has supplied sufficient
rotein for bone and muscle building
the pigs and she has been kept
good physical condition through ex-
rcise, the product should be a strong,
ealthy litter that will make rapid
I'D cheap gains.
For the first few weeks, when the
tgs will be nourished entirely by the
bw, her ration should be sufficient to
lrnish an abundant flow of milk.
towever, If she is overfed, causing
eavy flow of milk, the pigs are likely
} have scours. If this occurs, tho
bed Of the SOW should be reduced i'm
Iediately, and she should be fed 15
20 grains Of copperas in her slop
korning and night until securing
bases. The ration for SOW sucking
fgs is about 4 per cent of her live
feight, when not on pasture. But for
be best results the SOW and pigs
(lould be on pasture. When on a
on.leguminous pasture such as rape,
BE, and Bermuda grass, the SOW
lhould have grain ration equivalent
B 8 per cent of her live weight On
ilfalfa, red clover. and other legumes,
ae grain ration need not be over 2
Or cent Of her live weight. The sow's
rain ration should be well balanced.
everal balanced rations are given
kter in this article.
The young pigs will begin to eat at
to I weeks Of age. II the litter IL
hall and the SOW is on pasture and
as q liberal grain ration, the pigs
Hi need little additional feed. If the
tier is large and the mother a light
hilker, the pigs should be given a
(op Of skim-milk and wheat shorts IN
creep not accessible to the mother.
milk Is not available, the shorts
hay be made into a thin slop with
Fater. At z or 8 weeks Of age, corn
lay be substituted for one-half the
hosts.
The age Of weaving depends upon
fhether or not two litters are to be
hised per year. In no case should
figs be weaned Under weeks Of age;
b or II weeks is better. At weaving
me the feed Of the SOW is reduced
b slack the milk flow, and the rations
( the pigs sholud be increased 80
hat there will be little interruption in
he growth Of the pigs. The weaving
hould be abruptly, and under no cir.
|umstances should the SOW be return
Ia to the, pigs. The most critical
line In . pigs life Is past when he
weansd and is eating we'll. Tho
eeding from then on is a matter OF
haking the best ration from the avail
Ib'e feed.
For the cheapest gains pigs should
3e on pasture at all times. Home pas
urss for summer sraxilg are alfalfa,
Hover, eovpeas. soy beans, peanuts,
bermuda grass, rape and velvet
cans. However, pastures should
lot be relied upon to make pork alone.
The most rapid and cheapest gains
re produced by supplementing the
assures with q grain ration. The
mount Of grain to- feed when hogs
re On pasture is approximately 8 per
emit Of their live weight. The follow
ng grain mixtures are recommended:
Eorn 10 parts, tankage 1 part; corn
nd middling equal parts; corn 6
arts, soybean meal part; or corn 2
arts, velvet bean meal part. With
eguminous pasture, such as alfalfa,
lover, cowpeas, soy beans, peanuts,
tc., corn alone may compose the
rain ration.
There are other factors affecting the
Mystical condition Of the animal that
xert considerable influence upon the
ate and economy Of gains. There
hould be clean drinking water and
pool where they may wallow. The
log has a very high body temperature
md requires considerable water and
a1vo