The Breeding Herd 395 



gains on pasture alone, but the great number will require 

 three or four pounds of grain in addition to pasture. 

 Each sow must be fed according to her needs as shown 

 by the weight and general appearance. Sows bred for 

 spring farrow will require heavier grain feeding than those 

 farrowing in the fall. 



FARROWING 



A week before each sow is due to farrow, she is separated 

 from the herd and placed in a pen by herself so she will 

 become accustomed to her new quarters and be more quiet 

 at farrowing time. The farrowing pen need not be an 

 expensive affair, and whether a single colony house is used, 

 or a centralized house in which there are several farrowing 

 pens, the essential features are the same ; namely, dryness, 

 freedom from drafts, light, ventilation, freedom from ob- 

 jects on which the sow can injure herself or her little 

 pigs, and a rail to prevent the sow from mashing the pigs 

 against the wall. If the sow is not already gentle, care 

 should be taken during this preliminary period to get her 

 accustomed to the attendant and responsive to kind treat- 

 ment, so that when it is desired to make her lie down this 

 can be accomplished without difficulty. A little gentle 

 rubbing or scratching on the side of the belly will usually 

 induce the sow to lie down. About twelve hours before 

 the sow is to farrow, she will usually show a great deal of 

 activity in making a bed. She will be gathering up such 

 material as is available, and carrying it into piles, often 

 starting a bed in several different places. If she has not 

 been in her present pen very long, she will often try to 

 get out, but if precautions have been taken to keep her 

 there for a week before farrowing, she will usually be con- 

 tented with her quarters. Two or three hours before 



