Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-02
Managing a Hog Ranch

to farming. There never was a
greater error. The trouble with our
agricultural progress is fundamental
ly wrapped UP in our failure to rec
ognize that farming is a business.
profound and complicated business,
a business calling for expert man.
agement and for the employment OF
concrete knowledge. 1t is not worth
while to engage in any form of agri-
cultural and live stock enterprises ut
this time unless we are prepared to
accord the undertaking wise and eX-
pert guidance. In this respect. hog
and, therefore, the management
which should be accorded hog
ranch becomes matter of great i'm
portance to all who propose to en-
phasize this phase of animal pro-
duction. Some of the factors to
are indicated in the following OBJ
seIvations by Profs. Gridley and
Tabor. who have recently made
special study of this subject.
There are three distinct types of
/ hog growers in Georgia at the pres
emit time and each has his own prob
lens of management. The pure-bred
breeder is interested primarily in
producing a high class breeding ami
NAL of the approved modern type.
He Is forced to go to considerable
EXPENSE IN buying good foundation
animals and in feeding them we'll at
I all times, but expects to be repaid
by a higher price for his product
than the market hog producer re-
ceiyes. He must be u close student,
an excellent Judge Of animals and
good salesman to be successful.
In contrast to this specialized man
Ia the general hog farmer limited in
money, labor and feeds for part OF
the year. This type Of hog growing
requires much less e1Ioft ana SILL
than any other.
Between the pure-bred breeder and
the general hog farmer IS a small
! class that might be called the Nigh
/ grade market men. Their polfcv Is 10
produce good quality market hogs in
| late summer and during the spring
when the prices are highest. This
group is not as numerous in the
state as it should be. but doubtless
It will receive recruits from the
pure-hred breeders. and the genera
velops. More skill and care VIII De
necessary than is given by the gen.
era1 hog producer of today
One of the problems common TO
all hog breeders is raising a larga
number of pigs per sow. This is
solved by producing two Iltters per
year and under good conditions with
der average conditions each sow
should raise ten to twelve pigs per
year and under good conditions with
nldHdS0InGnI
Gifts should farrow the first litter
at about twelve months of age pro-
vided they are well-grown out. They
should then be well fed and bred
to produce the second litter when
two years of age. This Will insure
Sows should be bred for March and
September filters unless local condi-
tons demand these dates be made
later. Since the period of CESSATION
oh JIT6 a
mated with the boars during Novenl-
Der and May.
When two to three weeks of age
the little pigs will begin to eat grain
from their mothers feed. At tnis
time. a separate feeding pen should
be provided for them and additional
feed supplied. This VIII keep them
growing rapidly and will partly re-
l1eve the sows.
WEAVING is usually done when the
pigs are eight to stem weeks old. At
weaving time the feed should be in
creased and good grazing provided.
If possible, the sow and pigs should
be placed some distance apart as this
viii prevent constant worry by
When the pigs are taken off, the
sows should be put on dry feed for
few days to stop the flow Of milk
as early as possible Wien the I'D
ders begin to recede, they should
then be put on pasture and full
grain feed, composed lorgely of corn.
Where the sows are flushed this way,
they usually come in heat within
ten days from the time the pigs were
removed.
All the sows should be bred so that
their iitters will be narrowed about
the same time. This is important 50
that a uniform lot Of pigs can be
put on the market and also because
little more personal attention is re-
quired to care for ten filters Of pigs
than for two or three. The period
of heat in sows is every eighteen to
twenty-one days. so that after the
sows are bred they should be regu-
larry tried for at least two periods
In order to make sure they are preg-
nant. Under no condition should the
boar be allowed to make more thap'
one service to the SOW at each period
Of heat.
Shortly after weaving, the pigs to
be retained in the breeding herd or
grown out and sold as breeding stock
should be selected and the boars and
careful ration of protein and min
erals in order to develop into good
sized and good boned animals. The
foundation for proper size and
strength is being laid at this age. A
good ration of milk or buttermilk
with the various ground grains and
milk by-products or kitchen waste IN
a proportion of about one pound ef
grain to three pounds (three plntsl
N Of milk The amount to use should
III be watched carefully. It is lmpor-
z tant not to overfeed at this stage:
for such practice if continued Will
develop a 'pot-bellied" condition that
will decidedly detract from rom the gen.
When the pigs have learned TO eat
we'll their appetites are very strong.
At this stage, it is best to not fuzzy
satisfy them. but to make the period
Ic no "a short
For while three or four feeds per
day are not too many, but this mum
Der should gradually be reduced to
two feeds per day. There are excep-
tiqng to b such hes f R9G fhe snow ng
Many breeders continue to feed their
sow pigs three times per day, but
lust when this should be done, OF
characteristics of the pig and his ap.
petite. At all stages the pigs should
have access to pasture and green for
age. In feeding the pigs separate
pen with a creep should be provided
The creep should be made large
i enough to prevent the pigs from
lodging and becoming ruptured.
As the pigs develop, the ration
should be gradually changed to more
Crain. The following is good one;
Corn meal .....-......' gu Ids
Wheat shorts ....-... bO Fps
This mixture should be fed care
fully in order to keep the animals
growing well. Bone development Is
one of the essentials in feeding stock
and to furnish the necessary mine
ais, the following mixture should be
kept in dry place as small self
feeder, where the pigs will have &C
cess to it at all times.
Wood ashes or charcoal L IL bus
g gaisGur lime .:..:::.. il is! is:
Common sale lbs.
Copperas. 1-2 lbs.
This mixture is very valuable fol