SWINE GEOBGE E. DAT. 75 



Strong, and the sow lies quiet, it is better not to interfere. 

 If the pigs seem somewhat weak, or the sow is restless, it is 

 safer to place them 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 box and 

 covered with a blanket, with another blanket over the top of 

 the box, will help keep up the vitality of the pigs. The 

 little pigs should be placed on the mother to suck as soon as 

 possible. As soon as the sow appears to have settled down 

 quietly, it is best to put the little pigs with her and leave 

 them together. It is not well to interfere except when it 

 is absolutely necessary. 



By the time the pigs are about three weeks old, they will 

 have learned to eat. If at all possible, they should be given 

 access to another pen, in which is kept a small trough. Here 

 they can be fed a little skim milk with a very little mid- 

 dlings stirred into it. The quantity of middlings can be 

 gradually increased as the pigs grow older. If they can be 

 taught to nibble at roots during this time, all the better. A 

 little whole wheat, or soaked corn, 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, it will be 

 necessary to shut the sow out of the pen while the little pigs 

 are being fed. Exercise is very important for young pigs, 

 and every possible means of securing it should be adopted. 

 If they are kept in a small pen with the mother, some of the 

 best of them are apt to become too fat, and are likely to 

 sicken and die. Pigs that come in the spring and early fall, 

 are more easily managed than winter litters, as they can be 

 given outdoor exercise. If the sow is turned out with her 

 pigs, it is not well to give her a large range, as she is likely 

 to travel too far and tire the pigs too much. 



There is a great deal of difference of opinion as to the 

 age at which pigs should be weaned. Some breeders advo- 

 cate leaving the pigs with the sow for ten or twelve weeks, 

 in fact, the sow is practically allowed to wean her own pigs. 

 For producing show pigs, this method is, no doubt, a very 



