Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-03-05
FARMER AND PLANTER.
CARE OF YOUNG PIGS.


important part of swine breeding, and
unless the pig is properly managed the
hog will never attain 1t best result
The first important step in this matter
Is gentle sow; second, clean, warm
bed, entirely free of dust (the pigs
worst enemy, in place where the
SOW can be quiet and not annoyed by
other hogs; third, feed for SOW that
will make the desired quantity Ono
more) Of wholesome milk for the pigs,
and fourth, plenty Of well-prepared
food for pigs, and with a lot where
the sunshine and pure sir and plenty
of exercise will keep them In good
health. will say nothing about the
breeding and previous treatment of
the SOW, though this is inseparably
united with successful pig raising, for
unless the SOW is carefully bred and
well provided for previous to farrow-
Ing the result will be disappointing.
She must be gentle for reasons too OBJ
vious to mention here, one being suf-
acient. Should she need any help, you
could render it. She should be put
In her lot and become accustomed
to her quarters ten days or two
weeks before narrowing. Her bed
should be plenty large, or
roomy, dry, clean and warm. She
should be as much by herself as posi-
bic SO as not to be excited by any other
stock at this time. Watch for the far
rowing but do not offer any assist
ance unless positively demanded-she
will be best alone 90 out of 100 times,
Only once in Is years have l had occa-
sion to render help, and now doubt
that that was needed. When the pigs
are born see that they all get to the
teats, and let the whole business alone
for 25 hours, only to see that the after
birth is not in the way of the pigs
and to remove it with pitchfork if
the dam does not cat it in an hour
or so. The lot should have plenty
OF good drinking water, as the fever
ish dam will be thirsty. The SOW will
indicate at the end of "a or SO hours
that she needs something to eat, and
should be given thin slop of warm
bran or chopped wheat. Never give
her all she wants. Don't encourage
her to eat; over-feeding the SOW at
this time is sure to produce crop of
culls. Never let her have as much as
she wants until the pigs commence to
eat slop, and then never leave any in
her lot. Try at all times to
keep the SOW just as quiet as
possible; be on speaking terms
with her, scratch her and the
pigs and make them gentle, and
you will find it great pleasure, as
well as profit, to look after them every
day. | am sure we can not do better
for two or three days after the birth OF
the pigs than to secure the greatest
quiet and comfort for the SOW and try
ind give only such attention as is pos
itively required. l have known the
squealing of a pig to arouse hogs in
adjoining lot, and they would excite
the sow, who would tramp on her pigs
and do much damage. Keep her quiet
by all means. When she comes
out and wants exercise, have the
warm slop (of ground wheat and
bran made very thin ready and
let her have little of it. Don't
feed her in the bed nor too near it.
Remember SOW over-fed will surely
overlay herp pigs, as she is too dull and
sluggish to properly notice them
Gradually make the slop thick as pigs
can stand it. | am aware / am saying
good deal about the care of the SOW
but this is the only way to care fol-
young pigs. Just so long as the SOW
Is properly cared for, just so long and
no longer will the pigs be cared for
If the SOW is overfed the pigs will
suffer the consequence-just her,
is the critical point. If YOU
will manage the sow properly
for two weeks, after the brit
of the pigs, the fight is half won, ant
the only way can do it is by clos,
personal attention to the SOW. NJ,
friends, if You don't intend to do this
you had better stop and try some
shing else, for you have missed you
calling and your plan will not go
Feed the SOW three times per day, o
whenever she is up; don't arouse he
to feed. Feed on not too rich food
Watch closely the pigs, for If the fec
scours the pigs you have bad job Oh
hand and some culls. Change feed a
once. Feed dry bran or wheat;
little SKINNED sweet milk to SOY
is good, also a little charcoal
and copperas put In the feed one
per week all the year round is
fine preventive of diseese-worth al
the cholera cures in America. Aftc
the pigs commence to eat slop, have
pen where the SOW can't get to tn
slop and feed the pigs little slop o
skinned sweet milk warm. Gradual
thiclen it with shorts or ground wheat
keeping the pigs little hungry all tn
time, and remembering that hungr
pig is much more desirable than on
overfed ] only use corn or cornmea
for pigs after they are two or tire
months old, and then only in col
weather. Corn makes fat and heat bu
Is too constipating, while wheat, bra
and shorts make bone and muscle
and are more laxative. have almos
come to the conclusion that corn new
~ made into slop is a poor hog feet
Plenty Of sunshine and exercise is ais
needed and must be had.
This is a subject that has been niue
written and talked about by the be.
breeders in our great country, but I'll
main points can not be worn threa'
bare nor too often repeated, and
hope your meeting will criticise thef
notes and discuss this subject fully, ;
there is none that will come before yc
of greater Importance, and / am SUI
that the discussion will be of gre;
value to all swine breeders.
COMPOST HEAPS.