Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-05-16
summer Care Of Pigs. I

The grasses are the main stay OIL
cheap and healthy pork production ana
the more and better variety we can
produce the better, and extend 1t as
near thru the winter as possible, says
"a writer in the National Swine Maya :
zine. l do not believe a hog, from the
time 1t is born till 1t reaches the
shambles, ever gets too much grass or
exercise unless IL be for q few weeks
before the final fattening period. For
perfect development and early maturity
they need much else in conjunction
with grass.
Taking 1t for granted that the SOW
has been properly fed, cared for and
bred, she should bring forth q litter
of healthy, strong, hungry pigs. They
always have their appetites with them;
that is one thing they do not forget.
The SOW will need but little than
good water to drink for the first TWEEN
four hours after narrowing and for
the next three weeks the feed should
not be too rich or heating. II there
is no grass to be had a STOP of mid
dlings with liberal allowance OF
soaked oats. with some corn. will car
~ her along very we'll. At from two to
three weeks old the little fellows Will
begin to eat; then Is the time to fix
a separate pen and small feed troughs
for the pigs. Just build Il pen that the
older pigs and sows cannot get into
and them dig a small holeA under the
fence for the pigs to crawl in at!
1t is the contrariness In a hogs ma
,ture, born in them, that they would
rather crawl Under the fence than go
thruia nice gate made for them.
Make the troughs small that they
may easily find the feed, and there is
probably nothing better than soaked
oats and plenty Of 1t. They will eat lots
of grass If it can be found any way.
1t will not be long until they will en-
joy a little corn mixed with It, and
they wifi do nicely with nothing else
than plenty Of good water. or course
there are plenty Of supplementary feeds
such AZ oil meal tankage, blood meal
and various other mill products that
are good, but are better used in the
hands Of the fancier and expert feeder,
where special development and extra
finish are required.
They are not necessary, except In a
very limited way, for the growing OF
good market hogs.
The pigs should be trimmed when
small at least while yet receiving the
mother milk; the risk Of loss is a great
deal less. and If some should die there
has less feed and care been given them
and the loss consequently is not SO
heavy.
A large, number, OF breeders, and I
believe most WRITER'S, advocate the
weaving of the pigs; some take two
or three away lat time. which un-
doubtedly is better than all at once.
The objections is 1t takes more care
and attention than most men can or,
will give. and 1t is certainly q very
severe shock to the s'ow's system to.
have her flow Of mill. so suddenly
stopped when all are taken at once, and
often causes caked ud.ler and spoiled
teats, and Sometimes at the subse-
Iquent litter fails to give milk $at all.
If left to them selves they will look af-
ter that little job of their own accord.
and will do it about right and without
injury to SOW Or pis, If both are
abundantly and Fjudici5usly fed, the
SOW will not be seriously run down and
will very shortly Nrecuperate, to be-
ready for breeding, or put to a ration
principally OF corn and be finished for
the market before cold weather begins.
s f.