SWINE MANAGEMENT. 



19 



dlings may be given. The feeding for the first 3 or 4 days should be 

 light and the time consimied in getting the sow on full feed should 

 be from a week to 10 days, depending on the size and thrift of the 

 Utter. 



Great care must be taken to feed the sow properly. If she is not 

 properly fed the little pigs will show it. If the pigs follow the sow 

 around very much and pull at her teats it is a good sign that she is 

 not giving enough milk, and more feed should be given to stimulate 

 the milk flow. On the other hand, when a sow is overfed, causing 

 a heavy flow of milk, scourmg is generally produced in the pigs. 

 If this happens cut dowTi the sow's feed immediately and give her 

 15 to 20 grains of sulphate of iron (copperas) in her slop morning 

 and evenmg; if necessary, increase the dose until results have been 

 obtained. 



EXERCISE IS NECESSARY. 



After the sow has farrowed it is best for her to be in the open air. 

 Of course, if the pigs were farrowed in the winter time care will be 

 needed, and it may be necessary to let the pigs reach the age of 

 two weeks before turning them out. They can, however, get con- 

 siderable exercise in the piggery or in the lot with the sow, and there 

 is often a lot adjoining a barn that is sunny and sheltered from the 

 cold winds, where the sow and pigs may be turned for exercise. 

 Do not allow the pigs to rim out during a cold rain. 



If the pigs do not get exercise, they will become fat and lazy and 

 the usual result is the 'thumps." This is caused by the fat getting 

 so thick around the heart and lungs that the pigs find it difiicult 

 to breathe. The best way to prevent this is to avoid overfeeding 

 and make the yoimg pigs take plenty of exercise. 



DRYING UP THE SOW. 



When the sow and pigs are separated, the sow's feed should be cut 

 down to check the secretion of milk. A good plan to follow is to 



Fig, 8.— Double pen for feeding sucking pigs; partition raised to permit pigs to run to their feed without 



interference from the sow. 



