FARROWING TIME 221 



or to take these away from her, especially if she is a 

 young sow. This is not necessarily true with old sows, 

 but if a young sow is allowed to go through the first one 

 or two periods of lactation with only two or three pigs, 

 the likelihood is that she will never be able to raise more 

 thereafter. The part of her udder suckled by these pigs 

 will be developed and the rest of it will become dormant 

 and not produce sufficient milk thereafter to allow a 

 larger number of pigs to develop properly. Consequent- 

 ly, it is of greatest importance that young sows not only 

 be fed properly, but that they also either be required to 

 raise the proper number of pigs or to raise none at all. 

 Herein lies a considerable advantage in having a number 

 of sows farrow at the same time. This practice not only 

 allows a proper distribution of the pigs among the various 

 sows, but also produces pigs of the same size which will 

 sell to better advantage when ready for market than will 

 a bunch that is made up of individuals of various sizes. 

 It is frequently said that a sow cannot successfully raise 

 more than five or six pigs. But if she is properly selected, 

 developed and fed at the time, there is no reason why she 

 should not raise ten or twelve pigs. 



HANDLING THE SOW AND LITTER. 



A sow should at all times be handled with the greatest 

 possible care and gentleness and if properly handled will 

 be quiet and easy to manage. Her temperament should 

 be in such a state that the attendant can go into her pen 

 at any time, either during the time she farrows or there- 

 after, and handle either her or her pigs without the slight- 

 est disturbance. If properly done this is possible. 



As previously noted, the influence of exercise upon the 

 metabolism of the hog is very great and important; hence 



