49 



It pays to treat sows kindly and to have them quiet. If they are on good 

 terms with the attendant and regard him as a friend, there is much less danger 

 of trouble from nervous, excited sows when the critical time of farrowing arrives. 



Feeding and Management after Farrowing. — After farrowing, 

 the sow should not be disturbed, and if she lies quietly for ten or twelve hours, or 

 even more, so much the better. When she wants anything she will go to the trough 

 for it. At first she should have little more than a drink. A very thin slop of 

 middlings and water will answer very well. If the weather is cold, tepid water 

 should be used. During the first three days, great care must be exercised not to 

 over feed, and tlie ration should be kept very light. After this, the feed may be 

 gradually increased, taking a week or ten days to reach full feed. A good mother 

 with a large litter requires very liberal feeding, but if the litter is small, it may be 

 necessary to reduce the feed. 



Fis. 16. — Champion Poland-China sow at the Illinois State Fair. 



Many different rations are used for nursing sows. Equal parts of finely 

 ground oats and wheat middlings, allowed to soak between feeds, makes a most 

 excellent ration. If sweet skim-milk can be added to the mixture, it makes an 

 almost ideal ration. Corn may be used as recommended for sows before farrowing, 

 and in larger quantities if skim-milk is available. A certain amount of roots and 

 green feed are always in order, but the sow should not be expected to subsist upon 

 such feeds at this time. A limited amount of bulky, succulent feed helps to keep 

 the sow healthy. 



The sow's udder may become hard and inflamed. If so, it is a good plan to 

 bathe thoroughly with hot water and apply equal parts of lard and turpentine. 



When the pigs are weaned, the feed should be cut down to check the secretion 

 of milk. Dry oats make a safe feed for the sow for a few days after the pigs arc- 

 weaned. If the udder gets very full, it is a good plan to turn the sow in with the 

 pigs once a day for a few days. 



