The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-03-01
.GIVERIE URGES
SPECIAL Care OF PIGS
Is Necessary to Meet the
Great Demand for
Pork.

More than ordinary care should be
taken of the spring crop OF pigs this
year, the swine specialists Of the Uni
ted States Department OF Agriculture
point out. Every pig that It is posi-
bic TO save must be looked after. Th1s
takes bit OF extra care-probabty
few sleepless nights and getting ont
in some mighty nasty weather-6qt
these inconvenience are necessary II
we are to meet the demands Tor PORK
Do not confine the SOW IN her taT-
rowing pen more than 6orty-eiSht
! hours before farrowing time q i. Is
possible to avoid doing So Reduce
| the heavy feed to some extent, prob
ably about half. for that length Of time
The farrowing 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 under the floor.
| Too many hog growers make the mis-
take of bedding too lightly. Heavy
I bedding naturally makes the SOW com
! Portable and warm-conditionS neceS-
sary If she is to be quiet Use wheat
/ or rye straw. Wild hay Is good, as Is
! miIlet. Do not use oat straw unless
there Is absolutely nothing else at
hand.
Under no circumstances should the
sow have feed whatever for twenty
! four hours after narrowing. She must,
however, have plenty of water at fre-
ouent intervals. This water must NOT
be icy coId-t1at drawn directly from
! the we'll is about the right Temperature.
! Commence after twenty-four hours
feeding lightly, Increasing the feed
! gradually for probably week or ten
days, when she may be gotten onto
/ full feed, conditioned on the size OF
the litter and the milking qualities OF
the SOW.
A good nerdsman. for the first week
at least after farrowing, viii look the
pigs over carefully before each feed
! ing. If any indications of Scours APP
! pear. the sow's feed should be reduced
! Immediately or possibly cut out entire
! IL. A heavy feed Of rich sIoD given
when occurs begin to show up posi-
bly, may kill the entire litter A little
! extra care for these few days IS abso-
! lutely necessary
when the pigs are from four or five
! to ten days old, be on the lookout for
! thunps. The best looking tat 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
trouble is quite easily prevented
! Plenty OF exercise for the pigs is the
answer. In cold stormy weather out
of-door exercise is impossible, but If
a central farrowing house with an al
leyway, is used. get the little fat fell
| lows into the alley and put in about
| ten or fifteen minutes three or four
times a day chasing them with buggy
whip, until they are pretty well tired
out. If this is Impossible, try putting
one or two of the little pigs at a time
in large barrel or hogshead, placed
by the farrowing pen. The pigs will
! hear the old SOW making a fuss and in
running around the barrel hunting for
a corner to climb out, generally viii
| take the exercise necessary to ward
off thumps. A considerable part OF the
battle is won if the litter gets past the
first ten days or 50 with a good start