Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-04-30

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 that 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
Sistance may be given if necessary.
The SOW generally becomes nervous
and restless as parturition approach
eS she makes nest for her young; a
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 oe slop-
by 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 litter and has been properly fed
ard 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. An
active sow in comparatively thin CON
ditiOn can he trusted with liberal
amount of bedding. but sOws which
are in high condition or which are at
all clumsy, had better be given only a
moderate amount Of bedding. Leaves
or short straw are preferred
The narrowing pen should be dry
and well ventilated, but free from
drafts. Provide the pen with guard
their edges against the sides of the
zen about ten inches above the bed
These prevent the SOW from living
against the partition. and lessen the
danger of injury to the pigs. The lit
tie fellows will soon learn to creep
under the guard rail when the sow
lies down.
What to Do When Pigs Arrive.
When the pigs are born during warm
weather, they are less liable to become
chilled and will generally find their
way TO the teats unaided. In extreme
ly cold weather the pigs will be in
danger of being chilled unless The hog
house is heated. To remedy this, place
few heated bricks in the bottom of
q basket or small box, covering them
with chaff or straw, and put cloth
over the top TO keen in the heat; I'M
less the sow objects too seriously. the
pigs may be rubbed dry with soft
cloth and placed in the receptacle as
fast as they arrive. If any of the lit
tie pigs appear TO he lifeleSs when thew
are born, first see that all mucuS is re-
moved from the nose, then give the
pig a few gentle slaps on the side with
the hand. This will start the pig
breathing if there is any life in the
body. Give it a suck of the Sow's milk
and place 1t in the receptacle. as de-
scribed previously. The pigs will not
suffer if they do not suck for a few
minutes after narrowing.
Cut Out Back Teeth.
Before placing the pigs with the SOW,
cut out the eight small tnsklike teeth.
There are four of these on each Jaw
in the rear of the mouth These teeth
are very sharp. and if left in the pigs'S
mouth they will likely cause tearing of
the sow's udder, and the little pigs cut
one another'S mouth while fighting for
teat These teeth can be removed
with bone forceps. wire nippers. or
with knife Never pun out the teeth.
Always cut or break them off After
this operation is over, place the pigs
with the SOW, care being taken that
each one gets TO a teat When the
after-birth IS passed. il should be re-
HoNeu from tne pen at once ana bur-
led or burned. There is good reason
10 believe that eating the after-hirth
is often the beginning of the habit of
eating pigs.
AS a rule. the sow should have no
food the first "a hours after, narrowing.
but should be given a liberal drink of
warm water. If. however she shows
signs of hunger. a thin Stop OF bran
and middlings may be given. The feed
Ing Cor the first three or four days
should be light and the time consumed
in getting the sow on full feed should
he from week to ten days. depending
an the size and thrift OF the litter.
The Sow's Feed.
Great care must he taken to feed The
sow properly. If she is not being prop
eriy fed, the f-tle pigs will show it.
If the pigs follow the SOW around very
much and pull at her teats, it is a good
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