18 



farmers' bulletin 874. 



tively thill condition can be trusted with a Hberal amount of bedding, 

 but sows which are in high condition or which are at all clumsy, had 

 better be given only a moderate amount of bedding. Leaves or 

 short straw are preferred. 



Tlie farrowhig pen should be dry and well ventilated, but free 

 from drafts. Provide the pen with a guardrail made of 2 by 4 inch 

 pieces set 2 inches from the sides of the pen about 10 inches above 

 the bed. These prevent the sow from lying against the partition and 

 lessen the danger of injury to the pigs. The little fellows will soon 

 learn to creep under the guardrail when the sow lies down. 



The management of the sow during farrowing depends largely on 

 the animal and on the weather conditions. Assistance should be at 

 hand if needed, but the sow need not be helped if she is getting along 

 nicely. 



What to do when the pigs arrive. — When the pigs are born during 

 warm weather they will generally find their way to the teats unaided. 

 In extremely cold weather the pigs will be in danger of being chilled 

 miless the hog house is heated. To remedy this place a few heated 

 bricks in the bottom of a basket or small box, cover with chaff or 

 straw, and put a cloth over the top to keep in the heat; unless the 

 sow objects too seriously the pigs may be rubbed dry with a soft 

 cloth and placed in the receptacle as fast as they arrive. If any of 

 the little pigs appear to be lifeless when they are born, first see that 

 all mucus is removed from the nose, then give the pig a few gentle slaps 

 on the side with the hand. This will start breathing if there is any 

 life in the body. Give it a suck of the sow's milk and place it in the 

 receptacle, as described previously. The pigs will not suffer if they 

 do not suck for a few minutes after farrowing. 



Cut out the hlack teeth. — Before placing the pigs with the sow cut 

 out the eight small tusk-like teeth. There are four of these on each 

 jaw in the rear of the mouth. These teeth are very sharp, and if 

 left in they will likely cause tearing of the sow's udder, and the 

 little pigs will cut one another's mouths while fighting for a teat. 

 These teeth can be removed with bene forceps, wire nippers, or 

 with a knife. Never pull out the teeth; always cut or break them 

 off. After this is done place the pigs with the sow, care being taken 

 that each one gets a teat. When the afterbirth is passed it should 

 be removed from the pen at once and buried or burned. There is 

 good reason to believe that eating the afterbirth is often the begin- 

 ning of the habit of eating pigs. 



THE sow's FEED. 



As a rule the sow should have no feed the first 24 hours after 

 farrowing, but should be given a liberal drink of warm water. If, 

 however, she shows signs of hunger a thin slop of bran and mid- 



