South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-09
NARROWING TIME
NEEDS MORE THAN
USUAL ATTENTION
Agricultural Department Gives
Out Some Valuable
Hints to Pig
RaiSerS.

More than ordinary care should
pc taken Of the spring crop Of pigs
this year, the swine specialists %
the United States department Of ag-
riculturc TOint out. Every pig that
30 is possible 20 save must be looked
after. This takes a bit OF extra care
probably a few sleepIess nights
and getting ont i'm some mighty
nasty Weather-but these inconven-
fences are necessary If we are %
meet the demands for pork
Do not condne the SOW i'm her far
rowing pen more than as hours be-
fore narrowing time IL il rs possible
10 avoid Going so. Reduce the heavy
Feed TO some extent. probably about
half. for that length Of time Tho
farrowing house or pen should be
comfOrta bly, warm. well ventilated.
and we'll lighted. Above all else, il
should be well bsdded Do not al
low any circulation Of air under the
floor. Too many hog growers make
the mistake of bedding too lightly.
Heavy bedding naturally makes the
sow comfortable and warm-condi-
ttons necessary if she is 10 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 mus.
however. have plenty OF water at
frequent intervals This water mu Il
not be icy cold-that drawn direct
ly from the well is about the right
temperature. Commence after "a
hours feeding lightly, increasing
the feed gradually for probably a
week or 10 days. when she may be
gotten onto fun feed. conditioned on
the size Of the litter and the milk
ing qualities OF the sow
Look Over Pigs Before Each Feed
ing.
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 sows feed
should be reduced Immediately or
possibl cut out entirely. A heavy
feed Of rich slop given when scours
'' SIN 10 Nla'W AH ptooib may MIL
the entire litter a little extra care
for these few days is absolutely
necessary.
When the pigs arc from four or
five 20 ten days old. be on the look
out for thumps. The best looking
fat little rig is the one to go first
every time. An almost certain in
dication is little roll OF fat
around The neck. While there is no
known cure for thumps. the trouble
is quite easily prevented Plenty ~
exercise for the pigs is the answer
I'm cold stormy weather out-of- door
exercise Is impossible. but IL cen
trail narrowing house with an alley
way. is used, get the little fat fell
lows into the alley and put in about
TO or - minutes three or four times
a day chasing them with a buggy
whip. until they are pretty wen
tired out IF this is impossible. try
putting one or two of the little pigs
at time i'm a large barrel or hogs
head. placed by the narrowing pen
The pigs viii hear the old SOW
making fuss and I'm running
around the barrel hunting for
corner 10 climb out. generally VIII
take the exercise necessary to ward
off thumbs. A considerable part Of
The battle is won n the litter gets
past the first 10 days or so with 2
good start.