710 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



The individual liouse lias but one pen, hence the name; this usually 

 accommodates a sow and her litter. It is small, simply constructed, and 

 comparatively durable. 



The happy combination of the two types of houses, the centralized 

 supplemented with the individual, finds favor in the practice of many 

 most successful swine men. Each type of house has its own peculiar 

 advantages and disadvantages, whereas the two together so counter- 

 balance in their merits and demerits as to make a very efficient, practical 

 system of swine housing. Our own experience and observation leads 

 us to believe in the combination system. 



The value of the individual housing system is recognized in a general 

 way by many hog men; however, few realize and appreciate all the 

 advantages thereof. A careful study of the advantages and disadvantages 

 of this system will repay in that it will enable one to determine the 

 adaptability of this type to local conditions. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE MOVAIiLE IIOtTSE (COMPAKED WITH THE CENTUALIZED) . 



The arguments for the movable house may be summarized as follows: 



1. Location may be changed tvhen desired^: The movable feature is 

 important. The house may be situated as demands vary so as to: (a) 

 Provide easily accessible pasture; (b) furnish protection from the ele- 

 ments and disease; (c) be convenient to other buildings, water, and 

 shade; (d) economize fencing when providing individual pasture for 

 sows and litters, or other hogs; fenced lanes or runways are thus 

 dispensed with; (e) encourage exercise, especially for pregnant sows 

 and growing pigs; (f) be near common feeding floor; (g) supply shelter 

 for hogs following cattle, other than that in general sheds; (h) afford 

 housing for the sow that unexpectedly farrows in pasture or field; (i) 

 render greatest possible service throughout the year. Adaptability to 

 varying conditions insures a maximum of usefulness. 



2. Isolation may he secured quickly and conveniently : The separa- 

 tion of swine from others of their kind is of special value at times 

 because: (a) quiet at farrowing time is assured. 



(b) Uniform development of the suckling pigs is encouraged; dis- 

 turbances such as the troublesome squealing of pigs from other litters, 

 and the clamoring of disgruntled sows are eliminated. Robbing being 

 restricted within the litter, is reduced to a minimum. The isolation of 

 swine in secluded pastures is an ideal method for the promotion of 

 even development. 



(c) Danger from loss is minimized. Spread of disease among the 

 herd is retarded. Huddling, piling up, fighting and other unfavorable 

 results are largely avoided. 



(d) Developing boars may be segregated. The prevention of acci- 

 dental breeding is thus brought about; in addition, conditions for de- 

 velopment and prospective sale are bettered. 



3. Sanitation is promoted: The movable house promotes health con- 

 ditions in that: 



(a) Surroundings may be changed to prevent infection by disease 

 such as hog cholera, contagious white scours, infectious sore mouth, 

 and others. 



