Care and Feeding of Sow and Litter 



71 



Preliminary care and feeding. 



The sow should be removed from the general herd and 

 placed in her farrowing-pen a few days before she is 

 expected to pig. This will enable her to become ac- 

 quainted with her new quarters and will serve to make her 

 more contented when pigging. By this procedujp she 

 will also become accustomed to the presence of the herds- 

 man, which is important later in the case of herself and 

 litter. An effective way to quiet a nervous sow is to 

 give her a daily brushing. If the sow is taken out from 

 the general quarters as soon after the one-hundredth day 

 as accommodations are available, the chance that she will 

 farrow outside will be reduced to a minimum. 



FARROWING RECORD 



The importance of a record of the date of service is 

 apparent at this time, as it is impossible, with any reliable 

 degree of accuracy, to tell by the appearance of a sow 

 just when she will pig. The usual signs of approaching 

 farrow are a filling of the udder and teats and a mild 

 spirit of unrest. When she begins carrying litter or 

 arranging her bedding for a nest, she may be expected 

 to farrow within twelve hours. Without a record, con- 

 stant observation of the sows is imperative, and even 

 with it is still desirable. A farrowing sheet should be 

 made out and posted in a convenient place in the barn. 

 This should contain the number, date of service, and the 



