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ELEMENTS OF FARM PHAVTICE 



If one does not mark the pigs at birth, young sows may- 

 be selected from small litters, because the sows with small 

 litters feed their pigs a little better, and as a consequence 

 the pigs are usually a little fatter and better looking than 

 the pigs from large litters. 



Care of the Brood Sows. — The brood sow should have 

 plenty of succulent and muscle-forming feed, but should 



Figure 103 — A champion Chester White Sow. 



not be overfed. She should have at all times plenty of 

 exercise. It is a mistake to allow brood sows to run during 

 the fall with the hogs that are being fattened. It is a waste 

 of feed, and the sows are injured if allowed to get too fat. 

 During the fall the brood sows should have the run of a 

 good pasture, with only enough grain to keep them in good 

 thrifty condition. 



Shelter. — If only one litter of pigs is to be raised from 

 each sow each year, it is well to have them come as early 

 in the spring as the weather is warm. Then no expensive 

 shelter is needed. A small cot (movable house) well banked, 

 or a straw shed, is ample for the sow during the winter 

 and in summer all that is needed is shelter to keep the pigs 

 dry and to protect them from the sun. If cots are used 

 they may be moved to the pasture for summer shelter. 

 Hogs need shade in summer. 



