FEEDING THE BROOD SOW 263 



to have the effect of increasing the size and evenness 

 of the litter. 



During pregnancy, it is a good plan to give the sow a 

 run where she can get plenty of fresh air and exercise. 

 An open shed in which she can feed, sleep, and find 

 shelter is a great convenience. The food would vary 

 somewhat with the time of year, but during first half 

 of pregnancy period may consist of house wash or whey 

 with some tail oats or barley meal in it. If necessary, 

 some roots or other succulent food may be given. 



For a couple of months before farrowing, the sow 

 should receive a richer diet, in order to secure proper 

 development of the young, and for this purpose some 

 barley meal, ground oats, bran, etc., may be added to 

 the diet. 



About a week before farrowing, " guards " should 

 be placed round the usual bed of the sow, about 7 

 inches high and 7 inches from wall, to prevent the sow 

 squeezing her piglings to death against the wall. The 

 box would be much better with the walls lime-washed, 

 and the floor thoroughly disinfected. 



Her diet should be somewhat restricted, and bran 

 mashes given according to the necessities of the case. 

 The bran mashes should be continued for a day or two 

 after farrowing ; after that they should be gradually 

 fortified with scalded meals (sharps, maize, or barley 

 meal, etc.) made into a thin slop with separated milk, 

 house wash, etc., and fed warm. 



Professor Henry states that a sow in full milk 

 yields about 3 quarts milk per day, and during the whole 

 suckling period something like 50 galls. Professor 

 Davies (Wisconsin) estimates that one-third of the food 

 goes to support the body of a milking sow and two-thirds 

 for milk-production, 



