BREEDS OF SWINE 435 



The sow pig intended for a breeder should be pushed for the 

 first year and given feeds that will make rapid growth, but that will 

 not fatten. She should weigh from 300 to 375 pounds at 12 mouths 

 of age when in thrifty condition, but not fat. Ample exercise every 

 day is necessary for health and to develop muscles and lungs. If 

 the sow has made a good growth, she may be bred to drop her first 

 litter when she becomes 12 months of age. She should be in perfect 

 health and in good flesh when bred. The gestation period for the 

 sow is 112 days. 



While pregnant, the sow should be given muscle and bone- 

 making feeds that will develop in the unborn pigs size and strong 

 vital organs. The same feeds are needed for this purpose that are 

 required by pigs after weaning. The sow should be kept in good 

 flesh, but not fat. A heavy condition of flesh is favorable if it is put 

 on with muscle-making feeds and the sow has been given ample 

 exercise. Under feeding is extremely detrimental. The pigs from 

 a half-starved sow are weak and undersized at birth, and are stunted 

 while suckling from lack of sufficient milk. 



Constipation in the sow while she is pregnant, or suckling, 

 must be avoided. Pig eating is often caused by constipation. Lax- 

 ative and bulky feeds will prevent this trouble. Exercise is neces- 

 earv to keep the bowels in good condition. Small feeds of roots are 

 good. Heavy feeding of roots is often the cause of weak or dead 

 pigs at birth. Feeding frozen roots is likely to cause abortion. The 

 pregnant sow should be fed, sheltered, exercised, and handled in 

 such a way as to keep her in good flesh and health. Everything 

 that facilitates this condition tends to secure pigs with greater vigor 

 and more profitable as feeders. 



A blow or a strain of any kind to the belly of the pregnant sow 

 is likely to result in pigs dead at birth, or pigs born the wrong way, 

 with the consequent injury to the sow, or her death. Sows had to 

 step over a six-inch board in passing through an opening between 

 their yard and pasture. There were many dead pigs at farrowing, 

 and some of the sows died from trouble while giving birth. The 

 ground next to a hog pen was eight inches lower than the floor, and 

 the brood sows had to climb over this step dead pigs and dead 

 FO\VS at farrowing time was the consequence. Potatoes were dug 

 with a plow and the land left in ridges. Pregnant sows had to travel 

 over these to get to a pea field. At farrowing time there were many 

 dead pigs, and two sows died. A boar allowed to run with sows that 

 are bred will frequently knock them around and bring the same 

 trouble. Horses or cattle running in a lot with brood sows will 

 often injure the sows the same way. Not over five to ten bred sows 

 should be allowed to sleep together, as crowding in cold weather may 

 result in losses at farrowing time. Pregnant sows should not be 

 allowed to run with fattening hogs. 



A breeding record should be kept, and two weeks before the 

 pigs are expected the sow should be placed in a farrowing pen con- 

 nected with a dry yard large enough to allow her to exercise. The 



