Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-05-04
PLANS FOR THE SPRING PIG CROP
Professor A. L. TOmhaVe of the Ami
NAL Industry Department of the
University of Delaware Gives
Timely Advice for Hand
ling the Spring Pig
CrOD

The foundation of a successful far
rowing season is laid in the winter by
the proper feeding and care of the
sow during pregnancy, but the num-
Der of pigs saved and finally raised is
largely a question of the thought and
attention to details which the breeder
is disposed to give the herd during
and Immediately following the far
rowing season. Lack of care and at
tention of the brood SOW at this time
will do much to undo the most care
full care and management of the bree-
ding herd during pregnancy.
An important step i'll preparation
for the narrowing season is to see that
the narrowing pens are ready and in
order. They should be given a thor
Ough cleaning and then sprayed with
a strong disinfectant. The common
coal-tar preparations are very useful
for this purpose. 1t is important also
that the floors be dry and warm.
Three or four days before the SOW
is to farrOw she should be removed
from the rest of the sows and put in a
narrowing pen. This is done 10 avoid
the danger of the SOW narrowing
while with the rest of the herd, or far
rowing out in the open where the lit
tie pigs will be exposed to inclement
weather. The brood SOW will also be-
come acquainted with her new sur
roundings, and will b. more quiet at
the time of farrOWing. The SOW will
also become accustomed to having the
herdsman around, Sc tina. if she needs
any assistance during narrowing he
can assist her without making her too
restless.
Most farmers are too liberal with
bedding during he narrowing period.
Too much bedding is just as harmful
as no bedding at all. About a bushcl
basket full of short, dry straw is suf-
ficient If more is used the Little pigs
will become tangled up in the straw,
become covered and the SOW will be
apt to lie on them. Straw that is long
should never be used.
About a day before narrowing the
ration should be cut down about fifty
per cent, and linseed oil meal added to
the ration to keep the bowels in a lax
ative condition. If the SOW is allowed
to become constipated she will become
restless and irritable. 1t is usually tire
restless sow that Kills her pigs.
AS the pigs are narrowed they
should be dried off to prevent chilling,
and then returned to the SOW to suck. q.
If the sow is very restless it might be
well to keep the pigs from the SOW for
a day or two, and return every three
hours to suckle. The after-birth
should be removed Immediately after
farrow, so as to prevent the sow from
eating it. Pig eaters are developed by |
allowing the sow to eat the after
birth.
Feeding the SOW a full feed at once
after narrowing causes a flow of milk
which is more than the pigs need. |
This may cause a cOngested udder |
which is bad for the pigs as well as
the SOW.
The first "a hours after narrowing
the sow only requires warm water |
After this a thin slOp of middlings, |
oats, and linseed oil meal may be fed. |
Corn should not be fed for several
days.
The ration should then be increased !
at each feed, so as to have
her on full feed about the tenth day