74 Pork Production 



Needle teeth. 



By an examination of the mouths of the pigs at this 

 time, it will be found that they are all born with the 

 so-called needle or black teeth. In Fig. 5 is shown 

 their appearance at birth. These teeth are normal, 

 inclined to be flat, but with sharp edges and are generally 

 brown in tinge at the tip. Needle teeth are not a source 



of trouble to the owner, but to 

 the pig with whom he fights. 

 These are temporary tusks and 

 considerable laceration of the 

 mouth and gums results in the 

 usual course of events. These 

 injuries become infected and a 

 sore mouth is the result. Hog- 

 men who give their pigs the 

 most care believe, as a rule, 

 FIG. 5. Showing "needle" i n removing these teeth soon 



teeth of pig at birth. /,. i ,1 rm i i i i 



after birth. This should be 



done carefully with regular forceps made for the purpose, 

 or with a pair of small pliers. The effort should be to 

 get a clean break without leaving any jagged splinters. 



Feeding just after farrowing. 



After farrowing the sow is in a feverish state for several 

 days, and she will want and should be offered no food 

 for practically twenty-four hours. She should be given 

 plenty of fresh water, however, with the chill taken off. 

 Special care should be exercised in her feeding the first 

 week. The promptness of her recovery and the success 

 with which she comes to her milk-flow will be determined 

 largely by the judgment employed. The same kind 

 of rations should be used after farrowing as just before. 



