Growth of Pigs

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7061, 21 January 1933, Page 4

Growth of Pigs

REGULATING RATIONS

The ovor-feeding of pigs is dealt with by the agricultural correspondent of the London Times in an article in which he

refers to points raised by Mr A. E. Marsh iu a British trade magazine. It is Mr Marsh’s opinion, ho says, that it is most important that pigs should not be over-fed. If pigs are allowed no time-limit for feeding, and havo a trough containing food always before them, they will first ovor-eat, and will then, after a short interval, wake up with indigestion, and will eat more food as the only available means of alleviating the pain. As a result, slow growth will be made. The simple remedy of reducing the food will bo found to put this right. Mr Marsh considered that little pigs require five meals a day, each of ten minutes duration. Larger pigs require three meals of 20 minutes. If any food is left aftor these times, it, should either be shut off from tho pigs or removed, and the pigman must rogulate tho next feed accordingly. The surprising improvement which results from jufct un-der-feeding must, ho says, be experienced to be believed, Tn the early stages of growth, a relatively greater proportion of water is required as compared with the later stages of fattening. The general practice is to mix the concentrated meals with water. Unless this water is measured and regulated in somo way to the sizo of the pig and the amount of food, large variations in tho rate of growth will bo noticeable, determined in part by the amount of useless water (somelimes ice-cold) which the pig has perforce to consume along with its solid food. Dry-feeding with the provision of a separate supply of water, fias always had its advocates. In many cases the Dane pours tho correct, amount of dry food into tho food-troc.gb, and then 10 or 15 minutes later, when tho food is practically gone, ho pours in a little water or skim milk, increasing this as appears necessary. Working in this, way the pigs take sufficient water and no more. These may seem minor points, but it is only by perfecting details of breeding, feeding and general management that wo shall be enabled to tako full advantage of the opportunities which have been promised to the pig industiw.