The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-27
BARLEY TEA Urged
AS EMERGENCY FEED
FOR Sucking Pigs
European Practice Where Sow
ls Defective Nurser Is Set
Out by College Expert

Loss Of pigs due to the failure of
the sow to give milk can be greatly
reduced or completely eliminated by
feeding the pigs barley tea, according
to Albert Severson, Of the livestock
department at the North Dakota Ag-
ricultural college. This remedy Is
widely practiced In certain European
countries, but is not generally known
In the United States.
During the farrowing season each
year . large number Of hog men re-
port that some sows In the herd fail
to give milk" Mr.. Severson says.
This condition usually exists in
herds where the breeder has failed
to provide . balanced ration and the
sows have not had q sufficient
amount Of exercise. In some cases
the sowS give milk three or four days
after farrowing but by that time the
pigs have starved.
"A simple liquid preparation called
barley tea can be made which will
carry tho pigs until the milk flow of
the SOW has been stimulated. This Is
made by placing proportion Of one
gallon whole barley in two gallons
Of hot water and allowing it to soak
for IL hours. Strain the liquid, pour
out in q shallow pan and dip the snout
Of the hungry pig into this tea. He
will usually drink Of his own accord
without further trouble. This prep
aration Is slightly laxative. very pal
atable and highly nutritious. It is
also effective for pigs that scour, be-
ing very healing to the digestive
tract.
Barley tea Is not q balanced food
for small pigs. II the SOW fails to
give milk after several days the pigs
ration must be supplemented with
other feeds. Whole cows milk di-
luted equal parts with water should
also be available. About 10 drops Of
cod liver oil daily per pig placed in
the milk is very beneficial.
After the pigs are about two weeks
old, place . mixture Of dry ground
feed in q shallow trough containing
the following proportion: 28 per cent
shorts or red dog flour. % per cent
hull-less sieved oats, Of feeds: 28 per
cent finely ground corn meal, per
cent tankase. Z per cent linseed oil
meal and per cent mineral. Alfalfa
leaves should also be placed where
they are accessible. These are soon
relished by small pigs and are good
source Of protein. mineral and sew
eral vitamins.
I'm order to stimulate the milk flow
Of the sow, give her about three
heaping tablespoonful Of EPSON salts
In . slop Of warm milk and ground
feed. Massage the udder every few
hours. II relief Is not noted in "a
hours make up . poultice consisting
Of one-fourth sack Of bran dipped
into hot water. Wiring out and ap-
ply to the udder. Care should be
taken that the poltice Is not too hot
or It will blister.
Occasionally It happens that sows
have defective udders. Inverted or
liberated nipples are the most COM
mon Of these ailments. They are
easily identified because they turn
hack into the flesh Of the underline
and never protrude sufficiently for q
pig to grasp. 0ilts with these defects
should never be selected for breeding
purposes. When Q gilt Is only SIX Or
seven months old the nipples should
|show some prominence. Avoid gifts
with the smooth. flat Or. inverted
nipples, also those that are excessive
Ily fat along the underline"