The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-06-14
WELL CARED FOR PIGS IN THE NARROWING PEN.

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
Every pig that can be raised this
year will be needed to add to the food
supply of the nation.-and every one
will add to the profits Of the grower.
Increase the number of pigs by pre-
venting losses at narrowing time and
insure rapid gains In weight by giving
the SOW and young pigs the kind of
care that will result in healthy. devel-
opment. This depends to a great ex-
tent upon the management of the sow
at time of narrowing. AS the time for
narrowing approaches, the sow should
be watched carefully, in order that as
sistance may be given If necessary.
The SOW generally becomes nervous
and restless as parturltion approach
es; she makes a nest for her young;
swollen vagina and milk down in the
teats are other visible signs. One can
be quite certain that SOW will far
row late In the afternoon or the fol-
lowing night when milk is found in the
teats in the morning.
The feed at this time should be slop-
by and limited in amount. Nothing
| but lukewarm water should be given
the SOW during "a hours previous to
| narrowing. If she has already farrow-
ed a litter and has been properly fed
| and cared for during pregnancy, lit
tie difficulty may be expected. With
| young sows. particularly those bred al
f1s,t.n 10 Ci II %
able risk at this time, not only to the
pigs but to the SOW herself.
Amount of Bedding.
There is a difference of opinion al
to the amount of bedding which SHOULD
be given to the SOW at this time. Al
active SOW in comparatively thin con
dition can be trusted with a liberia
amount of bedding. but sows which
are in high condition or which. are a
all clumsy, had better be given only {
moderate amount of bedding. Leaves
or short straw are preferred.
The narrowing pen should be dry
and well ventilated, but free from
drafts. Provide the pen with a guart
rail made Of two by four planks witt
their edges against the sides of the
pen about ten inches above the bed
These prevent the SOW from lying
against the partition, and lessen thu
danger of injury to the pigs. The lit
tie fellows will soon learn to creeI
under the guard rail when the SOW
lies down.
~
When the pigs are born during warn
weather, they are less liable to becom
chilled and will generally find thei
way to the teats unaided. In extreme
ly cold weather the pigs will be Il
danger of being chilled unless the no
house is heated. To remedy this, plac
, a few heated bricks In the bottom 0
a basket or small box, covering ther
with chaff or straw, and put clet
over the top to keen In the heat, ur
, less the SOW objects too seriously, tn
pigs may be rubbed dry with sof
cloth and placed in the receptacle a
fast as they arrive. If any of the HI
tie pigs appear to be lifeless when the
are born, first see that all mucus is re
moved from the nose, then give tn
, pig a few gentle slaps on the side wit
the hand This will start the pi
breathing If there is any life in tn
, body. Give II suck of the sow's mil
and place 1t In the receptacle. as d.
scrbed previously. The pigs will nc
suffer If they d. not suck for a fe'
: rinutes after narrowing.
!. Cut Out Back Teeth
t Before placing the pigs with the SOW
cut out the eight small tusklike teetl
s There are four of these on each ia
=? in the rear of the mouth. These teet
= ore very sharp ard If left in the pigs
G mouth they will likely cause tearing {
| the sow's udder, and the little pigs CT
It one another's mouth while fighting Il
q teat. These teeth can be remove
e with bone forceps. wire nlppers, {
I with knife. Never pull out the teetl
/ Always cut or break them Off Aftt
d this operation is over, place the pt
d with the sow, care being taken tn;
:. each one gets to teat. When ii
r arter-hirth Is passed, 1t should be r
: moved from the pen at once and Blu
led or burned. There is good reaso
8 to believe that eating the after-biri
: Is often the beginning of the habit I
eating pigs.
AS rule, the SOW should have I