FEEDING OF YOUNG PIGS IN EARLY SPRING

Te Ao Hou, August 1957, Page 52

FEEDING OF YOUNG PIGS IN EARLY SPRING Late-farrowed litters should receive special attention when approaching weaning age. The Department of Agriculture has shown that creep feeding is the secret of the heavy weaner, and best results will be obtained by having a supply of meal and milk always before the litter. Weaned pigs must be well fed and if meal has been used before weaning, its use should be continued for at least a fortnight to avoid an after-weaning check. The meal ration can be reduced as the skimmed milk supply increases. It is preferable to feed meal as up to half the daily rations of weaners and give the milk saved to the store pigs rather than to feed meal to the older pigs at this stage. After weaning, sows should receive sufficient milk and meal to enable them to regain the weight lost during previous suckling. They should be hand mated, and once safely in pig may be allowed to subsist on good pasture.