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 
