SWINE. . 385 



&quot;When but little straw is used, this affords a complete protection for the pigs, as it gives the 

 opportunity for them to escape if any should be behind her when she lies down. Such a 

 shelf is easily arranged, and may be removed, if desired, when the pigs are a week or two old. 



Preventing Sows from Eating Pigs. Sometimes the sow will eat her pigs as soon 

 as they are born. This extremely unnatural tendency is the result of a feverish condition of 

 the sow at the time of farrowing. A feverish condition is produced by a constipated condition 

 of the bowels. This condition may be obviated by feeding light, sloppy food, roots, scalded 

 bran with oil meal, etc., for a few days previous to farrowing. Give her also salt meat for 

 three or four days before farrowing, such as salt pork, bacon, or fish, in small bits, and as 

 much as she will eat every day. This will appease her appetite for flesh, the salt is laxative 

 and the sow has no desire for fresh meat. If there seems to be a feverish, restless condition, 

 give her a large quantity of lukewarm water or gruel slightly salted ; this will usually result 

 favorably, the sow lying down quietly, and remaining so until through farrowing. An 

 extensive western breeder says on this point: 



&quot; The eating of pigs results from an unnatural appetite on the part of the dam, which is 

 caused, usually, by a feverish condition of the system. It does not often become a confirmed 

 habit. We have frequently known sows that had eaten up a whole litter of pigs, to 

 afterwards become careful mothers. On one occasion, we had a very valuable sow that was 

 about to farrow. After she had made up her nest, we noticed that she was costive, feverish, 

 and uneasy. As soon as the first pig was dropped, she got up, and greedily devoured it. 

 She then lay down again, and a second pig was dropped, with the same result. She appeared 

 perfectly frenzied, and eagerly devoured every particle of straw that had come in contact 

 with the liquid that escaped her when giving birth to the- pigs. We then hurried off, and 

 brought a large pailful of tepid, salty water, which was placed before her. This she drank 

 as greedily as she had eaten the pigs. She then lay down quietly, dropped eight more pigs, 

 without stirring from her nest, and raised them all.&quot; 



When the diet of the sow has been properly managed, during the time of carrying her 

 pigs, occasionally giving charcoal and ashes, and green food or sod when confined in a pen, 

 there will be little danger of her eating her pigs. Whenever any sow eats her pigs a second 

 time she should be rejected as a breeder. 



Care of Young Pigs. It is important to have young pigs become accustomed to 

 eating something before they are a month old, instead of having them depend entirely upon 

 the milk of the dam until the period of weaning, as the sudden change of food at that time, 

 and want of milk will be liable to retard their growth. If properly managed, their growth 

 should not be checked for a single day. Mr. Corbin, the author of a work on Swine 

 Husbandry says: 



&quot; As to the care of pigs, there is no danger of forcing them along too fast on milky 

 slops and clover. If they gain a pound a day it should be very gratifying; and if they do 

 less, their owner may conclude the maximum of gain is not being attained, and profitably 

 endeavor to find out, as soon as possible, the reason why.&quot; 



Pigs should be allowed plenty of skimmed milk and buttermilk, mixing a fair proportion 

 of corn meal mush, or wheat and rye screenings ground together. They should also have 

 a plenty of grass as soon as they will eat it. The meal for young pigs should always be 

 thoroughly cooked, as it is then more nutritious and easily digested. Raw, or half cooked 

 meal does not digest readily, and when fed to young pigs not accustomed to it, it will be very 

 liable to bring on an attack of the scours. The pigs should have a little trough by themselves 

 to which the sow cannot have access, that they may be taught to eat. 



If by mistake more food is given than can be eaten, it should be removed, as it will 

 become filthy if left, and unfit to be eaten by them. Remove it in some way, that the troughs 



