The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-10
SPRING PIG CROP
MUST HAVE CARE
Unusual Circumstances of
Nation Demand Saving
All of Every Litter.
MEANS EXTRA WORK
Department Of Agriculture
Gives Helpful Pointers for
narrowing Time.

Washington, March 9.-More than
ordinary care should be taken OF the
spring crop Of pigs this year. the swine
specialists of the United States depart
ment OF agriculture point out. Every
pig that It is possible to save unjust
be looked after. This takes a bit OF
extra care--probably a few sleepless
nights and getting out in some mighty
nasty weather-but these inconven-
fences are necessary II we are to meet
the demands for pork.
Do not confine the SOW In her far
rowing pen more than 4S hours before
following time II 1t is possible to avoid
doing SO. Reduce the heavy feed to
some extent, probably about half, for
that length Of time. The narrowing
house or pen should be comfortably
warm, well ventilated and well lighted.
Above all else, It should be well bedded.
Do not allow any circulation OF air un-
der the floor. Two many hog growers
make the mistake of bedding two
lightly. Heavy bedding naturally makes
i the SOW comfortable and warm--condi-
tons necessary II she is to be quiet.
| Use wheat or rye straw. Wild hay is
good. as is millet. DO not use oat straw
unless there Is absolutely nothing else
at hand.
| Under no circumstances should the
sow have any feed whatever for "a
hours after narrowing. She must, how
ever have plenty Of water at frequent
intervals. This water must not be
icy cold---that drawn directly from the
xran lie - irhf tt,r
Commence after "a hours feeding light
/ ~, increasing the feed gradually for
probably week or 10 days. when she
may be gotten onto full feed. condi-
toned on the size of the litter and the
milking qualities of the SOW.
A good herdsman, for the first week at
least after narrowing, will look the pigs
over carefully before each feeding. II
any indications of scours appear the
sow's feed should be reduced immedi-
ately or possibly cut out entirely. A
heavy feed of rich slop given when
scours begin to show up possibly may
kill the entire litter. A little extra
care for them a few days is absolutely
necessary.
When the pigs are from four or five
to 10 days old, be on the lookout for
/ thumps. The best looking fat little pig
is the one to go first every time. An
almost certain indication is a little roll
! of fat around the neck. While there Is
no known cure for thumps, the trou-
! BILE is quite easily prevented. Plenty
] of exercise for the pigs Is the answer
! In cold. stormy weather out of door Elk
ercise is impossible. but If central
! narrowing house with an alleyway, is
used. get the little fat fellows into the
alley and put about 10 or Is minutes
three or four times a day chasing them
With u buggy whip until they are pref
ty well tired out. II this is impossible
try putting one or two OF the little pigs
at a time in IL large barrel or hogshead
placed by the following pen. The pigs
will hear the old SOW making fuss and
in running around the barrel hunting
for a corner to climb out, generally
will take the exercise necessary to ward
off thumps. A considerable part of the
battle is won IL the litter gets past the
first 10 days or so with a good start