BREEDS OF SWINE 441 



pigs once a day for three or four days to prevent trouble with their 

 udders. (Wis. B. 184.) 



Wean the pigs at 7 to 9 weeks old. Wean the stronger ones 

 first, leaving the weaker ones with the mother. It is better to have 

 the sows and pigs in the pasture or lot where the pigs are to run, at 

 least a week before weaning, and to wean the sow away from the 

 pigs, and not the pigs away from the sow. They will worry less. 

 Remove the sow and two or three of her smaller pigs to a lot out of 

 sight and hearing of the pigs being weaned. (Mo. Cir. 28.) 



The cheapest way to put gains on young pigs is through the 

 sow. She should be fed to produce a high yield of milk, and the 

 pigs kept with her until they get to eating a full feed of both grain 

 and pasture. The boars should be castrated before being weaned. 

 Cut down the sow's ration to water and alfalfa hay at weaning time 

 and she will dry up without injury to her udder. (Colo. B. 146.) 



The Pigs After Weaning. Attention will now be given to the 

 pigs that have been weaned. Up to this time all are on the same feed 

 and under the same management. From now on, however, those 

 that are to be retained as breeding animals should be continued on 

 a growing ration that is, one which is somewhat narrow and will 

 develop bone and muscle to the largest extent. Those that are to be 

 fattened for market should be fed more liberally and their feed made 

 more carbonaceous. (F. B. 205.) 



Young pigs should be given plenty of opportunity for exercise 

 from the time they begin to get strong enough to run about. If they 

 are confined too closely they are apt to take on flesh too rapidly and 

 become infected with what is known as thumps. Thumps are indi- 

 cated by violent vibrations of the heart. It is caused by the deposi- 

 tion of fat about the internal organs. When the pigs get an attack 

 of thumps they never will thrive well afterwards, and it often results 

 in death. (N. D. B. 83.) 



Pigs stunted on the start will always remain so. Give them 

 plenty of sunshine, warm, sunny yards and plenty of exercise. Keep 

 in dry, freshly bedded quarters. (Mo. Cir. 28.) 



The Herdsman. The ideal herdsman is gentle in manner and 

 moves quietly among the herd. He is quick to observe and loves to 

 watch the animals under his care. (Mo. Cir. 28.) 



Advice for the Beginner. Select one of the best leading breeds. 

 Get only 1 to 5 sows, preferably the smaller number, getting an ex- 

 perienced man to select good individuals from prolific strains on 

 both sides. Study the requirements of the animals and work for 

 larger litters and early maturity. 



The second year 3 or 4 of the best sow pigs should be saved with 

 their dams. The third year the grower should be able to handle 10 

 sows and their produce, and then slowly increase to the limit of the 

 farm. Cheap shelter and fences should be used until the grower has 

 learned what is most suitable for his conditions. (Colo. B. 146.) 



