FEED AND CARE OF SWINE 695 



than 8 pigs, weighing but 15 Ibs. From the records of 1,477 pure-bred 

 sows of 8 breeds Rommel 22 reports that on an average there were 9 pigs 

 to the litter, 50.1 per ct. males and 49.9 per ct. females. 



Tho young sows have smaller litters than mature sows, they usually 

 raise a larger percentage of their pigs, for they are less clumsy. In trials 

 covering 4 years at the North Platte, Nebraska, Substation, 23 Snyder 

 found that sows with their first litters farrowed 8.2 pigs on the average 

 and raised 6.2 pigs. Old sows farrowed 11.1 pigs on the average, but 

 raised only 6.5. Probably on the average there will be a greater dif- 

 ference than this in favor of old sows. 



Since older sows generally raise more pigs than gilts with their first 

 litters, it is a mistaken policy to rely chiefly on gilts for the breeding 

 herd. Sows which produce especially good litters and which are good 

 milkers and careful mothers should be retained as long as they are 

 useful. Only the offspring from such proven mothers should be retained 

 to replenish the breeding herd. By such selection much can be done to 

 build up a herd which is much more profitable than the average. Unless 

 there is some very good reason to expect better returns in the future, 

 one should discard a sow raising a litter of less than 5 pigs, or one which 

 is vicious with her pigs, in spite of being properly fed and cared for. 

 A sow that can save and raise 8 pigs is a good producer and should be 

 retained. The pigs in a litter of 8 usually will make larger, more uniform 

 pigs, and in most cases are more profitable to the farmer than abnormally 

 large litters, small in average size, and low in vitality. 



1029. At farrowing time. Even if the sows have been properly fed 

 and cared for during the winter, heavy losses may occur among the young 

 pigs at farrowing time, unless careful attention is given to the details 

 which make success reasonably sure. Lack of care at this critical time 

 results in heavy losses from sows lying on their pigs and from scours, 

 thumps, and sore mouth. It has been estimated that in some seasons 40 

 per ct. of the pigs farrowed in the corn belt perish from these causes, 

 all of which may be largely prevented by the right care and manage- 

 ment. 



At least 3 days before she is to farrow, and preferably even more, each 

 sow should be removed from the herd and placed in a separate farrowing 

 pen. This allows her to become accustomed to her surroundings and the 

 presence of the herdsman, so she will be more quiet when farrowing. 

 This pen should have been previously cleaned and disinfected, and should 

 be dry, well- ventilated, free from drafts, and well lighted. If possible, 

 it should be exposed for a part of each day to direct sunlight, so it 

 will be warmer, and also because sunlight is the cheapest germicide. If 

 the breeding dates have not been recorded, the sows should be watched 

 closely as the farrowing season approaches, and each sow should be put 

 in a farrowing pen as soon as the udder and teats begin to fill. After 

 a sow starts to arrange her nest, she may be expected to farrow within 



8a U. S. D. A., Bur. Anim. Indus., Cir. 112. 8a Nebr. Bui. 147. 



