THE YOUNG PIGS 237 



it is best to put the little pigs with her and leave them together. 

 It is well not to interfere except when it is absolutely necessary. 



Learning to Eat. By the time the pigs are about three 

 weeks old they will have learned to eat. If at all possible, it is 

 a good plan to give them access to another pen in which is 

 kept a small trough. Here they can be fed a little skim-milk 

 with a very little middlings stirred into it The quantity of 

 middlings can be increased gradually as the pigs grow older. 

 If they can be taught to nibble at sugar-beets or mangels during 

 this time, so much the better. A small amount of soaked whole 

 corn, or almost any other grain, scattered on the floor of the 

 pen, will cause them to take exercise while hunting for it. If 

 it is not possible- to provide an extra pen, the sow may be 

 shut out of the pen while the pigs are being fed. Many people 

 simply allow the young pigs to eat with the sow, and many 

 good pigs are raised in this way, but better results will be 

 obtained if the pigs can be fed separately. 



Exercise is very important for young pigs, and every pos- 

 sible means of securing it must be adopted. If they are kept in 

 a small pen with the mother, some of the best of them will 

 likely become too fat, and will probably sicken and die. Out- 

 door exercise is especially beneficial, but the pigs should be 

 protected from cold winds or from a very hot sun. If the sow 

 is turned out with her pigs, it is not well to give a very large 

 range at first. She is likely to travel too far and unduly tire them. 



Boar pigs not intended for breeding purposes should be 

 castrated before weaning, to get the best results, though there 

 is not much danger from castrating at a later date, provided 

 care is exercised in connection with the operation. Clean 

 hands, a clean knife, and the use of a disinfectant upon the 

 wound will obviate practically all danger. 



Pigs ruptured in the scrotum may be easily castrated as 

 follows : Have an assistant hold the pig up by the hind legs. In 

 making the incision, cut only through the skin of the scrotum, 



