Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1918-04-26

WELL CARED FOR PIGS
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 hat 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
slstance may be given II necessary.
The SOW generally becomes nervous
and restless as parturition approach
as she makes a nest for her young; q
swollen vagina and milk down In the
teats are other visible signs. One can
be quite certain that a 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-
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 at
an immature age, there is consider
able risk at this time, not only to the
pigs but to the sow herself.
Amount Of Bedding.
There is a difference Of opinion as
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 DIR!
and we'll ventilated, but free iron
drafts. Provide the pen with a guar
rail made Of two by four planks witt
their edges against the sides of tn
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 SOY
lies down.
What to Do When Pigs Arrive.
When the pigs are born during war;
weather, they are less liable to becOm
chilled and will generally find thel
way to the teats unalded. In extreme
|, ly cold weather the pigs will be /
danger of being chilled unless the no
house Is heated. To remedy this, plaC
, a few heated bricks In the bottom
a basket or small box, covering theI
with chaff or straw, and put a clot
over the top to keen In the heat III
less the SOW objects too seriously, I'll
: pigs may be rubbed dry with a so.
cloth and placed In the receptacle {
|, fast as they arrive. If any of he II
: tie pigs appear to be hfeless when the
7 are born, first see that all mucus is r
: moved from the nose, then give II
Dig n few gentle slaps on the side Wi
Z the hand. This viii start the p
breathing II there is any life In Il
u body. Give 1t a suck Of the sOw's mi
and place Il in the receptacle, as d
scribed previously. The pigs Will n
i suffer II they do not suck for a fe
; minutes after narrowing.
= Cut Out Back Teeth.
. Before placing the pigs with the so
cut out the eight small tuskllke teei
\ There are fOur OF these on each ia
in the rear OF the mouth. These tee
4 are very sharp, and II left in the pig
mouth they win likely u tearing
!. the sow's udder. and the little pigs c
/. one anOther's mouth while fighting I
: n teat. These teeth can be remov
> with bone forceps, wire nippers,
=. with a knife. Never pull out the tee
= Always cut or break them off. AT
= his operation Is over, place the pi
With the SOW, care being taken Il
zach one gets to a teat. When
efter-blrth is passed, II should be
moved from the pen at once and b
led or burned. There Is good reas
o believe that eating the after-bi
3 often the beginning Of the habit
eating pigs.
As a rule, the SOW should have