GENERAL SWINE MANAGEMENT 41 



simple A form house which is so constructed that it can be readi- 

 ly moved by a horse or team of horses. Every farrowing pen 

 should be provided with a pig rail about eight inches above the floor 

 and the same distance from the sides. This protects pigs from 

 crushing by careless mothers. 



Houses or shelter for feeding hogs should be simple in type, the 

 rectangular form being the most economical. These sheds or houses 

 should have a southern exposure. They serve also as a windbreak on 

 the north side of the hog lot. It is not advisable to have such sheds 

 too large, or if they are of such size that they shelter more than 

 one carload of fattening hogs there should be partitions or parti- 

 tion fences to keep the hogs separated into lots of not more than 

 80 to 100 head each. 



VENTILATION NECESSARY 



That the subject of ventilation has not been given proper con- 

 sideration by the builders of hog houses is evident to those who have 

 inspected hog houses in practically any section of the country: 

 Proper ventilation is especially necessary in farrowing houses. Lit- 

 tle pigs are delicate and are very susceptible to the action of draughts, 

 and the successful breeder has the hog house so constructed that 

 the recently farrowed pigs will be kept dry and warm, away from 

 draughts and amply provided with fresh air. Improper venti- 

 lation is responsible for the loss of hundreds of pigs annually. In 

 a well ventilated hog house, the walls and windows will remain, 

 practically dry even in cold weather. In the construction of a 

 double hog house with a center hall or a single hog house with a 

 series of pens on one side only, it is advisable to make an offset in 

 the roof as this provides a means for proper ventilation. A second 

 row of windows should be provided in each side of the hog house, 

 the bottom of the window being about three and one-half feet above 

 the floor and hinged at the bottom so they can be lowered from 

 the top. In the individual hog house hinged windows should be 

 placed at the ends and a ventilator above. Improved methods of 

 ventilation by special appliances are worthy of consideration. 



The subject of lighting is effected in conjunction with ventilation 

 except when special ventilating devices are installed. A hog house 

 for farrowing purposes cannot be over-lighted in the colder sections 

 of the country. "Window glass through which the sun can shine is 

 a means of purification, and of increasing the warmth, In con- 



