A WET-FEEDING TIP.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2716, 25 June 1925, Page 5

A WET-FEEDING TIP.

Here is a little tip for those who prefer the wet system of feeding to the dry method. Every one knows that in cold weather the act of feeding is calculated to draw the blood of the system into the region of the stomach and to cause a corresponding reduction of temperature in the rest of the body. That is why we humans, before the heating and stimulating effect of the food has had time to manifest itself, often fool a sensa«ation of being cold after a meal. With pigs, especially when the slop is fed in a cold state, the result is precisely the same —most feeders must have noticed how pigs will shiver for a few minutes after a hearty meal of cold slop. It is as well to avoid this condition as far as possible, if only for the reason that the sooner the food begihs to do its work the better it must be for the pig. It is quite impracticable in some cases to feed the slop, warm in winter, but the trouble can bo mitigated to some extent by giving the pigs first of all a small quantity of dry food- in their trough. No matter what kind of trough be used, a small proportion of this dry food will be wasted, but probably not more than would be the case with slop, especially if the pigs happen to be “sharp set.” This dry food acts as a sort of blanket to the stomach, and as soon as it is cleared up, the Slop can be given. A further advantage of this jiractice is that it prevents to a largo extent that scrambling at the trough which is so disconcerting to the feeder and which often results in some of the slop being spilled and sometimes the whole bucketful knocked out of one’s hands. With the edge just taken off their appetites by the dry food, the pigs feed more quietly afterwards, and when they go to lie down they are warm and comfortable in a few minutes, instead of standing about and shivering for half an hour.