Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-24
SAVE THE PIGS.
Loss of a Little Sleep and Energy May Be Necessary But 1t Counts In End.


 If Connecticut is to show the in crease in pork production expected of her this year the swine growers of the State must save every pig possible and see that they are cared for prop erly. Neighboring states will not have 8 big surplus of pigs for us to fatten. More is expected of them than usual and they must look out for an increase in their own production.
 Sows yet to farrow should be pro- vided with comfortable quarters and be watched closely. Keeping in mind the Narrowing date and being on guard to render any assistance necessary might mean the saving of number of pigs, which in turn might mean con- siderable profit, the saving of human lives and even nations. The loss of a little sleep and energy and getting into little rain or rough weather in caring for the SOW and her pigs may. be un- pleasant but these little unpleasant tasks are necessary if we are to get the most profit and do what is expected of us tour duty) in helping to meet the pork demands.
 At farrowing time sows should be 1 in good flesh but not too fat. Thin sows cannot furnish pigs proper
 
 !! selves, while on the other hand fat sows are sluggish and apt to mash their pigs. Therefore, the two ex- | tremes should be avoided.
 No sudden changes should be made 1 in sows' rations shortly before farroW- | ing, but heavy or concentrated feeds should be cut down to about half feed l during the last week of the gestation period. the object being to avoid con- stipation or trouble at farrowing time Eermented feeds or anything likely to produce a harmful effect on the young should not be fed at this time Sows need considerable amount of exer- | else and should not be confined to farrowing pens more than two days previous to fascowing. A small amount of clean bedding should be pro- Tided, avoiding coarse rough material /, that might irritate the skin of pigs. 1 Leaves, grass or most any of the hays make satisfactory bedding.
 l Tor 24 hours after farrowing sows should be deprived of all feed, but during this time water at about body temperature should be placed before them at frequent intervals. A good plan in feeding is to wait until they come to feed troughs and show de- sire for something to eat. They will let their needs and wishes be known ill due time. When the sows indicate that they are ready for feed again they should be fed lightly and the amount increased gradually for a week, at which time full feed may be given. By noticing pigs carefully al each feeding during this time one car tell if proper feeding is being done If they show trouble in digestion Gin dicated by scours) the feed should be reduced
 Young pigs need quite a bit of ex- ercise and many times those in good flesh fail to take a sufficient amount and die with thumps Such pigs should be forced to exercise Drop. ping them in a big barrel where theJ can hear but not see their mother in. duces them to take exercise The, may be driven about with a whip ol in some other way if esxercise is no
 taken voluntarily.
 By the time pigs are three week. old they will be ready to eat easil1 digested feeds. A shallow trougl should be provided where it will be ac cessible only to them. A mixture O a little whole milk or skim milk ant
 ground oats or middlings makes satisfactory feed. Getting pigs to talk l feed early makes it possible to wear them at ' or weeks of age withou
 checking their growth. It is well t have some kind of pasture or grazin, crop for such pigs and for fatteninj :. swine too. god grazing crop vii l furnish big part of the feed necessar, ] for such animals and may be provide, 2 at much less expense than by pur l chasing the equal in feeds on tn s markets at the present time.-D. G = Sullins, Connecticut Agricultural Col r 1ege.