232 FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



siderable difference of opinion as to the best age at which to 

 wean pigs.* Some advocate leaving the pigs with the sow for 

 ten or twelve weeks, in fact, the sow is allowed practically 

 to wean her own pigs. For producing show pigs this method 

 may answer very well, but it means only one litter a year; at 

 any rate, it does not admit of two litters a year. The average 

 farmer will find it more profitable to wean his pigs early 

 enough to permit two litters a year to be raised. If the young 

 pigs have been taught to eat as described, and skim-milk is 

 available, they may be weaned successfully when six weeks old. 

 It is true that many pigs are weaned before they are six weeks 

 old. It is seldom advisable to do so if they appear to be thriving 

 with the sow. If the skim-milk is not available, it is generally 

 advisable to defer weaning for two weeks more, and special 

 pains should be taken to have the pigs well accustomed to their 

 new feed and eating heartily before they are weaned. 



Skim-milk and middlings make about the best feed for 

 young pigs after weaning. If the middlings are fine and 

 floury, which is not very likely to occur under present-day 

 -methods of milling, they will sometimes cause indigestion, 

 which may 'show itself either in the form of diarrhoea or con- 

 stipation. Diluting the middlings with a little bran or finely 

 ground oats will help prevent the trouble. Soaking or scalding 

 the middlings will also tend to prevent digestive troubles. Scald- 

 ing the middlings is especially useful when no skim-milk is to be 

 had, as it makes the pigs like the feed better. To scald the 

 middlings, it is best to pour boiling water on them, cover the 

 vessel, and allow to stand several hours, or from one time of 

 feeding until the next. When the pigs are first weaned, it is 

 better to feed four times a day, giving only a small quantity of 

 feed each time, and taking care to keep the trough clean. When 

 well started, they may be changed to three feeds a day. 



Other Feeds. It is not well to be in a hurry to commence 



