CHAPTER X. 

 DISEASES PECULIAR TO SOWS. 



Fig. 83.— A Yorkshire Sow. 



1. Period of Gestation. 



The average time from service of the boar until delivery 

 of the pigs is three months, three weeks and three days. 



2. Indications of Pregnancy. 



In a month and a half after being put to the boar, she 

 begins to get larger and continues getting larger until pigging 

 time. 



3. Pigging — Delivery of the Young. 



Just before she pigs she is noticed to be uneasy, and 

 starts to make her bed. If anything disturbs her she makes a 

 fuss and seems excited. After her bed is made she seems sick 

 and lies down for a short time. The labor pains come on, she 

 strains and the water bag appears and breaks. If the pigs 

 are coming all right, she will soon be delivered of one. The 

 front feet and head should come first but sometimes they 

 come with the hind feet first. In a few minutes more she 

 strains again and another pig is delivered, and so on until 

 they are all delivered. After this there is usually no trouble 

 unless the sow has too much bedding and she smothers the 

 little pigs. 



4. Difficulties During Delivery. 



It is frequently the case that a little help is necessary 

 during the delivery as the young pigs may not come natur- 

 ally, and consequently become lodged in the passage. 



