496 



MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



only to provide a clean and dry nest. Sometimes pigs are lost 

 when the nests are too deep. If convenient, the nest should be 

 so situated that the sun can warm it during a portion of the day. 

 Straw, chaff, leaves, or hay make good nests. When at pasture 

 the sow will build her own nest', in which case she gathers grass 

 and leaves and provides a very shallow place. When the sow 

 is to farrow in the hog-cot or pen, the little pigs may be kept 

 from danger of being crushed by the mother by a fender made of 

 a pole or scantling securely fastened, say eight inches from the 

 floor and the same distance from the wall. The young pigs 

 soon learn the protection furnished by this device when the 

 mother lies down. 



Farrowing time. — For several hours before farrowing, the 

 sow will be very restless and spend much of her time in collect- 

 ing material and making it into a nest. At this time the feed 



should be reduced. The signs 

 that indicate the near approach 

 of parturition are a distended 

 udder, an enlarged vulva, and a 

 relaxation of the muscles on 

 either side of the tail. During 

 the summer season the pigs will 

 of their own accord usually find 

 their way to the teats and begin 

 nursing; but in the winter season, 

 the young pigs often need assistance in finding the teats, other- 

 wise they may become chilled and perish. If for any reason the 

 pigs become chilled, they should be treated similarly to that sug- 

 gested for chilled lambs (see page 414). Occasionally a sow will 

 be found that is very nervous and unquiet at farrowing time, 

 and it will be necessary to keep the pigs from the teats to prevent 

 the youngsters from being crushed. When such is the case 

 the pigs should be kept warm, as suggested for lambs. 

 When permitted to nurse, care should be taken to see that the 



Fig 170. — Pkize Cheshire Boar. 



