220 SWINE 



the deficiency. If pig-eating has become a habit the best 

 course is to dispose of the particular sow to the butcher. 



THE LITTER. 



At the time the sow farrows the attendant should be 

 present. Sometimes slight assistance may be given that 

 will help materially in saving a large litter. Several prac- 

 tices are in vogue at this time. Most breeders simply 

 place the pigs to the udder of the dam as soon as they 

 are farrowed, which in general is good practice and can- 

 not be improved upon. If, however, the sow is of a nerv- 

 ous disposition and is restless, it may be necessary to 

 gather up the pigs as fast as farrowed and take them 

 away for the time being. In such a case they should be 

 put into a dry warm place to prevent chilling, and then be 

 taken back to the dam when she is through and has set- 

 tled down and become quiet. 



At about four weeks of age the pigs, since they con- 

 tinue to grow and since the sow's milk does not continue 

 to increase, should learn to eat either with their dam or at 

 a separate trough and be fed as previously outlined. 



HOW MANY PIGS PER SOW. 



From the foregoing it will be seen that the results ob- 

 tained from a brood sow depend very largely upon the 

 way she is fed immediately before and immediately after 

 farrowing. If a sow is fed so much immediately after 

 farrowing that the pigs cannot take the entire quantity 

 of milk, it may either result in causing her to dry up en- 

 tirely, or else in bringing on scours with the pigs. Other 

 considerations, however, have an important bearing. 



In case the sow farrows a small litter, or in case most 

 of the pigs are lost after farrowing, leaving her only a 

 few, it is good policy either to give her some more pigs 



