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 iseldom 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 bom. 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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