Breeding and Some of its Effects. 169 



pected to end, and for a short time previous to that time 

 the dam should be given a clean, roomy, well bedded box. 

 Special farrowing pens have been constructed for sows, 

 the principle being to protect the young pigs from the 

 sow lying on them, a board ledge six or eight inches 

 wide around the stall, securely nailed about one foot 

 from the floor is a common way of protecting the young 

 pigs. Valuable mares are generally watched at the time 

 of parturition so as to render assistance at once; the 

 faithfulness of the shepherd at such a time (lambing) 

 has been the theme of writers, from a financial stand- 

 point it pays, as a chilled lamb is soon lost, a ewe with 

 her first lamb often needs assistance; especially as some 

 animals refuse their young and have to be coaxed to take 

 them, for which various methods have been devised. 

 Dr. Reed of the O. A. C., Guelph, Can., redommends a 

 little brandy rubbed on the lips of the mare inclined to 

 disown her foal, and also rubs some of the liquor on the 

 foal. 



The time of parturition has arrived according to the 

 breeding book, which con tains the record of service, etc., 

 there are, however, symptoms shown by the pregnant 

 animal, which afford reliable indications of the nearness 

 of the act. The swelling of the external genitals (vulva), 

 enlargement of the udder, hollowness of the rump, espe- 

 cially in cows, of the space between the pin bones and 

 the tail head, wax on the teats in mares, a flow of milk, 

 making of the bed by sows, glistening appearance of the 

 udder, uneasiness, a desire for solitude, slight pains 

 gradually increasing, followed by the pushing forth of 

 the water bag and the possible escape of its contents 

 show that labor is not only close, but that it has started. 



