32 HIGGLE SWINE BOOK. 



In cold weather it is sometimes necessary to cover 

 the new arrivals with a blanket, but this need not be 

 done if the sty is free from draughts and not too 

 spacious. Some breeders even use a jar or bag of 

 hot water under the blanket. 



Exercise is to be encouraged, for the sake of both 

 dam and offspring. The bed should be wholly 

 changed and made fresh a few days after the birth of ' 

 the pigs, and wet straw carefully removed at all times. 

 Idleness and too much food and warmth sometimes 

 cause the little pigs to contract a disease known as 

 "thumps." The cure is difficult. Exercise is the 

 prevention. 



If a sow's teat is so sore she will not let the pigs 

 suck, cut it off and save the pigs. Sometimes by 

 smearing it with tar the pigs will let it alone and the 

 sow will let her young suck ; but if she will not, cut the 

 nipple off close to the udder and the trouble is over. 



It is sometimes necessary to throw a sow on her 

 side and fasten her in that position, in order to allow 

 her pigs to feed. In case the sow persists in her 

 refusal to claim her pigs, they may be kept near her 

 in a ventilated box, and fed as indicated until she 

 accepts them. A sow may safely be kept fastened on 

 her side all night. 



It is well to teach the pigs to eat from the trough 

 as soon as possible, which means that it costs less to 

 feed them direct than through the teats of the dam. 

 This gives the sow more of the season in which to rear 

 another litter. 



As soon as the sow has gotten used to the loss of 

 her pigs she may, if the weather be warm, be put into 



