8 



Rearing and Fattening of Pigs. 



which take to the previously unused paps. I do not accept this 

 in its entirety, but I have observed several instances where the 

 effect appeared to be as stated. 



The length of time during which the little pigs are allowed to 

 remain on the sow varies in different counties, and even districts 

 — the time of year as well as the age of the dam and the number 

 of youngsters should have an influence. As a rule the pigs 

 should be quite able to take care of themselves when they are 

 eight weeks old if they have been gradually weaned and have 

 also learned to eat. My system is to give the little pigs a small 

 quantity of whole wheat when they are about a month old ; the 

 mother is turned out of the sty for an hour or two for exercise 

 and to eat grass in the summer months. The little pigs will very 

 quickly learn to pick up the kernels of wheat, whilst the sow will 

 be none the worse from eating any wheat which the pigs may 

 have left. The sow should be gradually kept away from the 

 pigs a longer time, until at last her milk will have pretty well 

 dried up, and thus trouble with the udder will be avoided. 



I have yet to find anything better than so-called hogs-meal — 

 sharps, randans, thirds, &c. — on which to feed the suckling sows 

 and the young and newly-weaned pigs. Sometimes the milk of 

 the sow will be too rich or too plentiful ; then it is advisable to 

 add say one-eighth of broad bran to her food for a few days ; 

 this will have a laxative effect on the sow, and it also appears 

 to reduce the richness of the milk. Occasionally it may be 

 advisable to feed the sow three times a day after she has 

 farrowed four or five weeks and has a large family dependent on 

 her, or she may become too low in condition, or become affected 

 with partial paralysis of the muscles of the back. This will be 

 shown by the inability of the sow to walk comfortably, and in 

 severe cases she will be unable to rise. On such occasions the 

 best course to pursue is to wean the pigs as quickly as possible, 

 to give medicine to regulate the bowels and the kidneys, to 

 apply some stimulant along the back, and to feed frequently 

 on small quantities of easily digested food. The few cases 

 which have occurred in my own herd have readily responded 

 to treatment of this nature, and have not been injured for 

 breeding purposes. 



The question as to the best period of the year for the arrival 



