252 journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 April, igi2, 



squeal which indicates that it is approaching a condition of helpless uncon- 

 sciousness. There is a difference of opinion as to how many pigs a sow 

 should be "allowed to rear. It is generally considered bv those of the 

 greatest experience that seven or eight for a first litter, and ten to twelve 

 for mature sows are sufficient. Many pick the best up to the required 

 number, and either destroy the rest or rear them by hand, or it may so 

 happen that they may be reared on another sow, the litter of which is 

 short of the desired number. As a rule the placenta will come away 

 shortly after the last pig, and it should be removed right aw\^y at once. 

 It sometimes happens that a little pig's teeth are so sharp and long that it 

 pricks and hurts the sow so much that she will refuse to allow them to 

 suckle. This often causes serious trouble, and the little ones should be 

 examined, and the offending teeth removed. To remo\'e the teeth take 

 the pig under the left arm, open the mouth with the left nand, and with 

 the right hand and a small [)air of pinchers break off the offending teeth, 

 and place the pig back to the teat. A little coaxing and scratching will 

 make the sow lie down, and the pigs will then soon relieve the distended 

 and inflamed udder, giving her comfort, and there will be no more trouble 

 from that source. If the noise of the little pigs squealing excites the 

 sow, take them out of hearing. When the sow's pen is cleaned out the bed 

 should not be disturbed as it unsettles her. 



As a rule the sow will not have much difficult\' in farrowing, and, if 

 possible, it is better that she should do so unaided If she is an excep- 

 tionally long time in starting, or if there is a long interval after the first 

 portion of the litter arrives, and the sow appears to be in pain, the hand 

 should be smeared with carbolic oil and gently inserted, and if a pig is 

 presented crosswise it should be gently presse-d back into the womb and 

 turned, or if the head is presented it may be taken away gently. Should 

 the little one have difficulty in getting its breath, open the mouth and 

 blow down the throat. If the pigs are not removed as they arri\e they 

 may be placed to a teat, and will imroediately commence to suckle, and 

 will nestle up to the mother, and the heat of her body will help to keep 

 them warm. 



In two or three days the little ones will be strong enough to take care 

 of themselves. The health of the sow must be carefully wntchefl, and 

 any indications of constipation corrected at once. 3 oz. of sulphur and 

 a pinch of nitre may be mixed in the food as a corrective. As soon as 

 she will take it a warm slop of bran and milk should be given. Her 

 feed for four weeks should be in a sloppy condition, consisting of bran 

 and pollard with skim milk if available. If whev is u.sed it should be 

 .scalded, or it may have the effect of producing diarrhoea in the young pigs. 

 The condition of the excreta is one of the best indications of the health 

 of the pig, and this should neither be hard formed nor yet liquid. Either 

 of these conditions requires immediate attention ; to a very large extent 

 the disability may be regulated by the proportion of bran in the food. 

 A few hours after farrowing, if her bowels and other organs are not 

 acting healthily, the .sow should be given a little gentle exercise. 



A sow may be managed to bear five litters in two years, but this is 

 not advisable; two litters a year will be more satisfactory. The main object 

 now is to bring the young along as quickly as possible, and that can only 

 be done by feeding the sow for production of milk. In three or four 

 weeks the little pigs may be taught to drink from a small trough, fenced 



