OCR Text |
Show Keep The Young Pigs Growing Jt will par any farmer to keep a record of the date his sows are bred, that he may know to a certainty Just when the sows will farrow and be prepared to take care of tho litters. A few days before a sow Is due to farrow, It is well to place her by her self In a warm, dry place, where she will not be molested, and feed her the same ration she has been accustomed to, as a change in her feed at this time would be likely to upset her or derange her system. When she farrows, far-rows, It is best to let her alone until she comes out, give her another drink and put a very little feed In it, and only a very little. It Is Important to be very careful that she Is brought to a full feed gradually, In order that she may not produce too great a flow of milk before be-fore the pigs are ready to take it. It must be rememberd that this is certainly cer-tainly the most critical period In the life of the young litter, as a little too much milk from the sow at first Is almost sure to bring about the disease known as white scours, which Is not checked at once will soon cause death. This U also danger by starting the milk flow to soon in causing the sow to become feverish, when her udder will become hard and hot, and soreness sore-ness will result, so that the sow will not let her litter suckle. This all tends either to kill or so stunt them that they will not grow as fast as they otherwise would. After the pigs have got well started, say from a week to ten days, the sow may be fed all the will eat of a good ration, but under no circumstances is it best to make any change in her feed, as bad results are apt to follow. When the pigs are about three weeks old, they will show an inclination to eat; at this time they should be given a little of the same feed as the sow is receiving, and if to be had, a small quantity of milk may be added. This side table must be placed where the mother cannot get to it, and the pigs glverf but a very little at a time, and ttnflitat rr AAnaifiaantlnn otnsritsl Ann 1a uuuci uw vwuaiubiisvivu auuvou nuj uo left In their trough to sour. Sour or stale feed Is an abomination that should never be tolerated. One of the first grains a little pig will eat is shelled corn, and If a handful Is thrown on the floor or ground they will soon clean it up. The trough that is prepared for the pigs should be eitremely shallow, so that they may eat without .haying to get Into it. A deep trough Is not sultabte, for the pigs will have to climb into it to eat, and are apt to be injured thereby. Started gradually in this manner, the pigs can be grown very fast. If any changes in the feed must be made, make them gradually. At the age of three months, they may be weaned. As the pigs grow older, a little corn may be given them; In fact, a variety of feed Is always best at this age, but all changes must be made carefully so as not to upset their systems or check their growth. Pigs properly fed and well bred should easily weigh 100 pounds at.three months of age, and at sis months should weigh from 200 to 225 pounds each, and be ready to top any market at eight months of age at a weight of 250 pounds or more. |