Feeding and Management of Swims. 607 



times a day and drive them about the yard for a time. Selle^ 

 describes a means of exercise for winter pigs as follows: Wagon 

 loads of sods are placed in the cellar in the fall. In winter these 

 sods, with bits of meat scrap or cracklings added, are thrown into 

 the pens, to be worked over by the young pigs. In searching for 

 cracklings or scraps in the sods the pigs get exercise by rooting 

 as well as some feed. 



Upon the first appearance of scouring or other ailment, the sup- 

 ply of food should be reduced and the diet changed if possible. 

 Carefully remove all excrement and change the animals to new 

 quarters if they can be provided. 



915. Weaning the pigs. — Pigs are generally weaned when from 

 seven to ten weeks old. This is best accomplished by first re- 

 moving the two strongest members of the litter to a separate pen, 

 and aiLcr two or three days taking away others, always choosing 

 the most vigorous, until all are removed. Under this practice the 

 milk flow of the dam will gradually diminish until it ceases. 

 Many breeders allow pigs to wean themselves, — a result reached 

 without difficulty where they are liberally supplied with palata- 

 ble nourishment at a side trough. When the pigs are weaned 

 they should be placed in groups of not over twenty, care being 

 taken that the members in each group are the same size. Where 

 large numbers of pigs of varying sizes range together, the weaker 

 ones are at a disadvantage at the feed trough and are liable to 

 permanent injury from lack of feed and the rough treatment they 

 receive. 



916. Feeding shotes. — Under good management, the period be- 

 tween weaning and fattening the pig is bridged without difficulty. 

 First, let this animal be kept upon natural earth, having the 

 freedom of the pasture as long as possible. There is no better 

 place for the growing pig intended for either breeding or fatten- 

 ing than a wood-lot of mixed herbage or a pasture carpeted with 

 blue grass, clover or alfalfa. Pigs should wear no rings in their 

 noses unless much rooting is done, for this cruel restriction works 

 injury to the animal in several ways. While on pasture, the 

 shote should still receive feed possessing bulk and carrying a 



» Wis. Farmers' Institute Bui., 1894. 



