The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-22
Young Pigs IN Winter.

Young pigs that are narrowed in tins 20
be turned into the clover fields when wsaned
make the best and cheapest pork that can be
produced. To have them come during the
extremely cold weather of this season is to
entail vatchfulneSs and care upon the farmer
to save them. There are many difficulties
IN the way OF success with them now, as
they are less active, and, therefore. more
liable 70 iDjUIe from the dam. Should the
sow fail the provide suit cient nourIshment
the pigs will often freeze to death on severe
days. owing TO insufficient bodily beat
Should they occasionally become chilled
the result viii he either diarrhea or cold on
the bowels. When stlnted IN growth for
want Of food or insufficient warmth the pigs
will make no growth until the spring opens
and the weather becomes favorable; aud bat
little profit will result unless there is care
full management.
Young pigs OF the Suffolk snd Yorkshire
breeds are good feeders and grow rapidly, as
scws Of such breeds readily assimilate the
food digested and convert II into fat or
milk. Even when nursing large filters they
90 not lose flesh IS quickly as do sows of
other breeds and usually are in good condi-
ton when the pigs are weaned. But the
difficulty with the pigs is that they become
very tat and often suhOcate as excessive fat
inteIferes with their breathing should they
have cold. 1t is not to be inferred that
pigs Of the Suffolk or Yorkshire breeds are
those breeds OF sGWs make good mothers and
care well for their young; but in using such
breeds the farmer should not feed too high
" on concentrated food. AS long as the
SOW keeps in high flesh she should never be
fed on corn or cOrnmeal. Cooked vegetables
will answer much better than grain, if such
food Is provided literally, but should the
SOW become thin in flesh she may be ted OF
anything she will eat. For the farmers
purpose the cross of pure breed with large,
coarse soWs will give the best results.
Should the SOW that is to farr0W be very
large an at'endant must carefully take the
pigs from her and Dlsce them near stove or
In warm room for Few hours, or until
they become able TO move about. Should
any OF them be very weak or exhausted im-
merse IN water at q temperature Of 100 de-
grees will be found very beneficial out the
Pigs so treated must be wrapped IN cloth or
flannel and we'll dried 10 warm room The
difficulty with farrowiug sows is that the
pjgs are liable Is perish from cold before
they become strong enough to seek warmth
from their dfn. Heavy scws will crush the
pigs by falling on them much more fire.
quently 10 winter than in summer. The first
week is the most critical period; If the pigs
are carefully watched for that time they will
need but little assistance aiterward.
The weaving OF pigs should be defeared In
winter as isie ss possible. They need AL the
food and warmth they can get, and II they
est from the trough and also darive nourish-
ment from the dam so much the better. II
kept in q growing condition they will prove
"a profitable in the coming fall as can be
expected, for the clover will be IN time for
them when they no longer need assistance
from the SOW. Berkshires Polsnd-Chinas
and Chester Whites are not IS tender as the
Essexes, Sufolks aud Yorkshires, aud such
pigs thrive We but greater loss occurs TO
them ifrom the dams, which are usually
heavy, and crush them. For this season, or
in sarIy spring pigs Of the small breeds
usually give the bsst results, while pigs that
are narrowed IN the fall should come from
the larger breeds as they need longer tims
for maturity There is difficulty in raising
pigs that are narrowed at this time il they
are exposed to the weather and the SOW not
properly fed, but if farm work ia scarce
there is no reason why an early period
shculd not be favorable.