CHAPTER XXVII. 
THE YOUNG PIGS. 
Feeding and Management before Weaning.—When the 
pigs are born, the attendant should be on hand to see that 
everything goes well. If the pigs are strong and the sow lies 
quiet, it is better not to interfere. Sows that have been properly 
fed and given sufficient exercise seldom have difficulty in 
farrowing. 
If the pigs seem somewhat weak, or if the sow is very 
restless, it is safer to place the pigs in a well-bedded box or 
basket to keep them out of the way until all are born. If the 
pen is chilly, a bottle of hot water placed in the bottom of the 
basket and covered with a blanket, with another blanket over 
the top of the basket, will help keep up the vitality of the pigs. 
The pigs should be placed to the teat to suck as soon as 
possible. The weaker the pigs, or the colder the pen, the more 
important an early drink of the mother’s milk becomes. If 
parturition is not unduly protracted, and if the pigs are strong, 
lively, and comfortable, they may wait for their first drink 
until all are born, but in such matters the attendant must use 
his judgment. 
In cases of difficult parturition, a pig that is apparently 
lifeless can often be revived by opening its mouth and blowing 
into it. To be successful, this operation must be performed 
as soon as it is born. A chilled pig can sometimes be revived 
by immersing up to the neck in water heated to a temperature 
of about 98 degrees. When removed from the water, it should 
be rubbed dry, and induced to suck if possible. 
As soon as the sow appears to have settled down quietly, 
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