PART II_Pig Raising: A Manual for Pig Clubs

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

1. =Wild relatives of swine.= Pupils should prepare written reports upon

the following wild relatives of the hog: peccary, wart hog, rhinoceros,

hippopotamus, wild boar. Consult geographies, natural histories and

encyclopedias for such information.

2. =Swine on the home farm.= Let each pupil report on the swine on the

home farm by filling out the following table:

Types and Number of Characteristics Average Estimated

Breeds Each of Each Weight Value

_________ _________ _______________ _______ _________

3. =Market prices.= Pupils should record the market prices of hogs in a

tabular form, every day for a period of two weeks. Such daily quotations

may be obtained from the newspaper. If possible, record the number of the

“run” of hogs which were offered for sale at the market where prices are

quoted. Note any relation that may exist between price and number of hogs.

4. =Inspection trips.= The class should make a tour of the farms in the

community where the various breeds of swine may be studied. Note the

distinguishing characteristics. Use the following table in classifying

the distinguishing characteristics:

Position Other

Breed Color of Ears Snout and Face Characteristics

_____ _____ ________ ______________ _______________

5. =Comparative judging.= Prepare a ring of swine, two, three, or four

animals, and have the pupils place these according to rank, basing their

judgment on form, condition, and quality of the swine in the ring. In

performing this exercise it may be necessary for the instructor to go

over the whole matter of conformation, condition, and quality as they

should be found in good swine.

6. =Exercises in judging.= After the pupils have become somewhat familiar

with the points in judging swine, information may be given as to the

judging of individuals by the score cards. Under the direction of the

instructor use the score card of your State Experiment Station.

7. =Reports on home feeding methods.= Let each pupil report on the

methods of feeding and managing swine at home, using the following

outline:

(a) The house, pen, or range in which the pigs are fed for fattening.

(b) The feed used, amount, kind, etc.

8. =Houses.= Pupils should bring pictures of hog houses, clipped from

farm papers or other publications in which they may be found, and in

class make a critical study of the illustrations assembled. Ground floor

plans should be drawn by each student for several types of house.

9. =Breed directory.= Let each pupil make a report on the names of swine

breeders in the locality and the breeds raised. This may be made into a

breed directory for the community.

10. =Making a concrete hog wallow.=[4] A hog perspires but little during

hot weather and is forced to seek a cool mud wallow if nothing else is

provided. This has resulted in the impression that the hog is a dirty

animal.

A concrete hog wallow provided with a drain will enable the hog raiser

to give his hogs a cool, clean refuge from the heat. If a small amount

of crude oil is poured on the surface of the water, it will serve to rid

the animals of lice and keep the skin in good condition. If possible, the

wallow should be located near the water supply, either a tank or spring.

The following sectional view of a wallow is taken from the Cement News

published by the Universal Portland Cement Co.

[Illustration: 1. SECTIONAL VIEW OF A CONCRETE WALLOW]

It is recommended that the pool be made rectangular with rounded corners.

It should not have a depth of more than 18 inches. The size should be

determined by the number of pigs kept. A concrete floor 4 feet wide laid

around the pool will prevent rooting and the carrying of mud into the

wallow.

[Illustration: 2. TROUGH FOR YOUNG PIGS]

11. =Wooden troughs for swine.= In figures 2 and 3 are shown two types of

wooden troughs that are used extensively by swine raisers. The one shown

in figure 2 is designed for use in feeding young pigs. As shown in the

drawing it is shallow and is constructed with a flat bottom and wide end

pieces. The shallowness makes it easy for the young pigs to get at the

feed, and the wide ends make it difficult for the pigs to overturn it.

The cross pieces prevent the hogs from lying in the trough. The drawing

gives all necessary dimensions. Make out a bill of material and a bill of

stock, cut the pieces, and assemble them.

[Illustration: 3. TROUGH FOR MATURE HOGS]

Figure 3 shows a V-shaped trough for older hogs. Like the one shown for

young pigs, it is wide at the ends and is provided with cross pieces. The

drawing gives all necessary dimensions. Make out bills of material and

stock, and construct.

12. =Hurdles for use in stock judging.= A hurdle as described in this

exercise is a panel of boards made as shown in figure 4. Hurdles are

portable and are useful when sorting hogs into groups or when scoring and

judging them. Three or four hurdles fastened together at the ends make a

very good temporary pen.

[Illustration: 4. HURDLE]

The materials required are four pieces 1 by 4 inches by 12 feet, one

piece 2 by 4 inches by 8 feet, and 2 pounds of eightpenny common nails.

To build the panel, cut the pieces as shown in the drawing. Lay the four

pieces of 2 by 4 inches on the floor, spacing them 4 feet apart, nail the

bottom board, space 2 inches and nail the second board, space 3 inches

and nail the third board, and nail the fourth board on the top.

13. =Making a collection of feeds.= Secure a supply of small bottles and

make and label a collection of samples of feeds suitable for pigs.

14. =Weighing pigs with steelyards.=[5] In the pig project it is

recommended that the pig or pigs be weighed each week. Where stock

or platform scales are at hand the weighing can be performed easily,

but, unfortunately, some boys do not have scales of any kind which

they can use for this purpose. In project work boys do not generally

feel that they can afford to purchase platform scales, but since the

weighing is a very important part of the work, some means should be

provided, and steelyards are suggested for the purpose. These are not

expensive, costing about $3.00, and with proper arrangement can be used

very satisfactorily. For weighing feed they can usually be suspended

from joists in granaries, but for weighing the pig it will probably be

necessary to construct a horse from which to suspend them. A crate also

will be needed for holding the pig while being weighed. The material

required for these articles is not expensive and both can be constructed

by the boys in the club or class.

SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING HORSE AND CRATE[6]

=Material.= Any ordinary lumber having proper dimensions can be

used. If new lumber is purchased, yellow pine will serve the purpose

satisfactorily, costing 2½c or 3c per lumber foot. The length suggested

for the horse is 8 feet, though this can be reduced by placing the

steelyards at right angles to the length of the horse in place of in the

same direction, as suggested by the cut. The height should be 7 feet to

provide space for fastening the crate to the steelyards. The legs should

be beveled at upper ends before nailing to rail and should be spread at

bottom so as to measure 3½ feet. Stock required for constructing horse

is as follows: One piece 2″×6″×8′ if made eight feet long; two pieces

2″×6″×14′; or 2″×4″×14′ for legs; two pieces 1″×6″×10′ for braces.

In place of the crate any box of the proper size can be used for the

purpose by nailing strips on the sides for convenience in handling,

and for fastening rope to it. If a crate is constructed it should be 4

or 4½ feet long, 2½ feet high, and 20 inches wide. The slats on one end

of the crate should be securely nailed, and on the other they should be

arranged to slide into place, so that they can be removed easily after

each weighing.

[Illustration: 5. ARRANGEMENT FOR WEIGHING PIGS]

The pig to be weighed is securely fastened in the crate and the horse

placed over it so that the ring or hook of steelyards is nearly over

the center. The crate is then raised sufficiently to place 2×4 blocks

under it, and it is then fastened to the steelyards by means of a chain

or rope. The scale weight on the steelyards can be approximately placed

before the blocks are removed from under the crate. To remove blocks,

draw down on long end of steelyards, which will raise the crate from the

blocks and allow them to be easily removed. After the crate swings free

the scale weight can be carefully adjusted to ascertain exactly the gross

weight of the pig and crate. The weight of pig can, of course, be easily

ascertained by subtracting the weight of crate from the gross weight.

There are advantages in this arrangement for weighing, in addition to

its being inexpensive. The parts can easily be moved from place to

place without injury, and can be placed in any pen or hog lot without

difficulty, which is not always the case with platform or other scales.