120 SWINE IN AMERICA 



or crushed. Straw, chaff, hay, shavings and leaves are 

 usable for nests. Long hay or straw, such as rye straw, 

 for example, while under most circumstances better than 

 none, are far from being the best bedding for a farrow- 

 ing sow on account of the little pigs' liability to become 

 entangled or lost in it. As a matter of fact, nobody has 

 yet invented or knows of a better Ijedding material than 

 the leaves and grass which a sow will collect and make a 

 nest of if allowed the run of a woods pasture at farrow- 

 ing time. 



Little pigs may also be kept from danger of crushing 

 by the mother with a fender made of a scantling, rail or 

 pole securely fastened, say eight inches from the wall, 

 and the same distance from the floor. The pigs will 

 quickly learn the protection afforded by this device when 

 the sow lies down. Some breeders advocate a farrow- 

 ing pen not large enough for the sow to turn around in, 

 and with walls open eight inches from the floor so 

 the pigs may run in and out. A pen of this sort may 

 be made by confining the sow at one end of her regular 

 pen with boards so nailed that she will be unable to turn 

 around. 



BIRTH OP THE PIGS 



Where parturition is prolonged or difficult the herds- 

 man's assistance may be needed, and he should aim to 

 be within call. A distended udder, enlarged vulva and 

 relaxation of muscles on each side of the tail may be 

 taken as indications of the nearness of parturition. 

 When the udder becomes heated and milk may be drawn 

 from the teats the pigs may be expected within 12 hours, 



