200 LIVESTOCK ON THE FARM 



running through the middle. The roof on the south part is 

 fiat and the windows throwing the hght to the north side are 

 in the wall to the south of the alley and extending up from the 

 roof over the south row of pens. This roof is 6 feet on the 

 outside or 7 feet next to alley from the floor. The inside of 

 the house is provided with wire partitions so as to allow 

 free circulation of air and to keep the hogs in view of each other 

 and of the attendant. The building is 30 feet wide and is 

 ventilated by windows and doors. 



Time to Breed. — Sows should be bred so as to bring their 

 pigs at the desired time. The period of gestation is about 

 114 days. The spring pigs should come as early as possible 

 so the fall litter, when one is produced, will not be too late. 

 The fall pigs should have a good start when cold weather 

 comes. 



With early spring pigs better shelter is needed than with 

 those that come a little later. It is a good plan to have the 

 old sows farrow early and then farrow again in the fall and to 

 allow the young sows or gilts to farrow later in the spring and 

 then rest up during the rest of the year and finish their own 

 growth. Those that do not prove good should be fattened 

 and sold. 



Black Teeth. — When pigs are born they have two long brown 

 or black teeth on each side of both upper and lower jaws. These 

 should be cut off as soon as the pigs arrive. This can be done 

 with a pair of molar forceps, pincers, etc. If these teeth are 

 not removed the pigs in fighting for a place at the udder will 

 injure themselves which ma}^ give the pigs a severe setback. 

 Or they may irritate the dam so that she refuses to allow 

 them to suck. 



Ear Marks. — Pure-bred pigs should also be marked as soon 

 as born. This can l^e done by clipping nicks in the ears with 

 pinchers made for the purpose. Clipping helps to identify 

 the pigs afterward. 



Castration. — Castration is best performed on pigs when 

 they are from four to six weeks old. This will give the wounds 

 a chance to heal before the pigs are weaned and will result in 

 the least setback. It can be done at this time with the least 

 work. Pigs that are to be used as boars should be reserved. 



