Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-06-21
WELL CARED FOR PIGS IN THE NARROWING PEN.

WELL CARED FOR PIGS d
| PREPARED by the United States Depart
| ment of Agricultural
Every pig that can be raised this
year will be needed to add to the 1000
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 ana
insure rapid gains In weight by giving
the SOW and young pigs the kind OF
care that will result in healthy devei-
opment. This depends to 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 parturition approach
es she makes 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 Stop
py 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 Mt
an immature age, there is consider
able risk ut this time. not only to the
pigs but to the SOW herself.
Amount Of Bedding.
There is a difference of opinion ms
to the amount of bedding which should
be given to the SOW ut this time. Ar
active sow in comparatively thin con
dition can be trusted with a liberal
amount Of bedding. but sOws which
are in high condition or which are al
all clumsy. had better be given only
moderate amount of bedding. Leaves
. or short straw are preferred.
The narrowing pen should be DIR!
and we'll ventilated. but free from
drafts. Provide the pen with guart
rail made of two by four planks will
their edges against the sides of TIT
, pen about ten inches above the bed
These prevent the SOW from lynn
: against the partition. and lessen tn
danger of injury to the pigs. The III
: tie fellows will soon learn to cree
under the guard rail when the SOW
, lies down.
t What to Do When Pigs Arrive.
r When the pigs are born during war;
I weather. they are less liable to becOm
e chilled and will generally find thei
. way to the teats unaided. In extreme
: " cold weather the pigs will be l
e danger of ping chilled unless the no
r house is heated. To remedy this, plac
q few heated bricks I'm the bottom G
q n basket or small box, covering theI
n with chaff or straw. and put a clot
J. over the top to keen In the heat; III
d less the SOW objects too seriously. tn
pigs may be rubbed dry with sol
cloth and placed In the receptacle
fast as they arrive. If any or the IL
tie pigs appear to be lifeless when the
/" are horn. first see that oil mucuS is r
moved from the nose, then give tn
pig a few gentle slaps on the side wit
the hand. This will start the p
: breathing II there is any life N Il
body. Give Il suck of the SOw's mi
and place 1t In the receptacle. as
!! scribed previously The pigs will n
suffer II they do not suck for re
&c minutes after narrowing.
Cut Out Back Teeth.
=, Before placing the pigs with the so
-. mt out the eight small tusklike teet
. There are four Of these on each jn
in the rear of the mouth. These tee
=, are very sharp, and if left In the pig
mouth they will likely cause tearing
the sow's udder, and the little pigs G
one anothers mouth while fighting I
feat. These teeth can be remov
IN with bone forceps. wire nipperS,
n with knife. Eever pull out the tee'
" Alwaya cut or break them off. Aft
2 this operation is over. place the pi
al with the SOW, care being taken I'll
e1cn one StlS w al l'ht- ''H~i'
he after-birth IS passed. 1t should he
moved from the pen at once ana b'
It's led or burned. There is good reaS
es TO believe that eating the after-bil
W IS often the beginning of the habit
- eating pigs.
As "A rule. the sow should have
food the first ~ hours after farrowil
but should be given n liberal drink
az warm water. If, however. she sho
ht signs of hunger, a thin Slop OF hr
and middlings may be given. The f.
m ing for the first three ar four ii;
ep should be light and the time consuH
in getting the SOW on full feed Sho
be from a week to ten days depend
on the size and thrift Of the litter.
ne The Sow's Feed.
icy Great care must be taken to feed
SOW properly. If she is not being pr
yer erly fed. the little pigs will show
cir If the pigs follow the SOW around V
much and pull at her teats. it is p