PIGS AND PORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 5

PIGS AND PORK

METHOD OF RAISING THE OPEN-AIR SYSTEM In Australia the use of the open-air system of raising pigs has gained rapidly in favour, and in all parts of Victoria, it is reported in the Leader (Melbourne), one finds herds run on this modern and economical system. Apart from the substantial saving in labour the open-air method has the advantage that it enables the pigs to be kept healthier and less subject to worm infestation, while there are, as a rule, fewer losses after farrowing than is the case when the pigs arc kept in sties. This system of pig raising has been established with marked success by Messrs. R. Thomson and Sons at Geelong. This farm carries continuously some 1000 pigs, an average of more than 100 being fattened and marketed each montn. The farm is admirably laid out with separate farrowing and fattening paddocks, while there are special paddocks for dry sows, and sows close to farrowing. In each of these paddocks speciallv constructed shelters are provided. The portable farrowing pens in use are constructed on the tent principle and are made of hardwood and galvanised iron sheets. Such a shelter 8 feet square at the bottom and 5 feet high, can be constructed at a cost, for material, of approximately at 2os. In the fattening paddocki a combined shelter and self-feeder is in use. The shed itself is 12 feet long by 6 feet deep, being 5 feet high in front and 4 feet at the back, The use of the self-feeder has been found to be a distinct advantage in more ways than one. Most important, of course, is the very considerable saving in labour where a large number of pigs has to be fed. In addition however, there is an absence of crushing .and the waste of food that takes place when the pigs are fed at troughs, while the fact that the animals can obtain their food whenever they want it; leads it is claimed, to slower feeding and the more thorough digestion of the food. In addition to the sheds and automatic feeders all paddocks are equipped with water troughs and provided with ample shade. The procedure usually followed with this system of rearing pigs in the open is to keep the served sows in a special paddock for about three weeks to determine whether they are in pig or not. They are then shifted to the dry sows' paddock, where they remain until two weeks before they are due to farrow. As a general rule, no feeding is necessary at this stage, provided adequate grazing is available. As soon as they go into the paddock for forward sows a balanced ration, consisting of grain and a little meat meal, is fed.

Within a day or two of the duo farrowing date the sows are moved into the farrowing paddocks, where they remain until their litters are eight weeks old. During this period further supplementary feeding is needed.