AUTUMN FARROWING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 10

AUTUMN FARROWING

In Hastings Piggeries GOOD LITTERS REPORTED Autumn farrowing in now taking place on many dairy farms in the province where breeding sows are kept. So far relatively little trouble has been experienced, and one breeder reports having obtained some exceptionally fine litters. The weather has fortunately been good, although the mornings and evenings have been somewhat cold. Conditions have been very favourable for good farrowings. Cure of tho sow before and during farrowing is an important feature in pig management, and the most successful breeders always endeavour to keep a close watch on tho farrowing sow, so that any assistance required by the sow can be given- If the sow is allowed to farrow out in the open and is not kept under observation, there is a distinct possibility that trouble may occur and the whole litter be lost, this meaning the loss of several pounds to the farmer. The writer has known of cases where the sow has experienced considerable difficulty in farrowing the first pig of the litter, with the result that, the other members of the litter have died. If the sow is watched and it is seen that she is restless and straining, then the farmer can assist the delivery and remove the cause of the trouble. Once the sow has farrowed, any dead pigs and the after-birth can be removed as a precaution against the sow consuming this material. Unless such a precautionary measure is taken there is a possibility of the sow developing the habit of cannibalism and eating the live members of the litter as well as the dead ones. Once such a habit is contracted it is worse than useless to try and correct it, and the sow is no longer a trustworthy breeding sow. The only thing to do in such a case is to fatten and kill the sow. Careful feeding after farrowing is needed. For the first few days the sow will not require more than a modi-

cum of food. The provision of adequate supplies of good clean water is, needless to say, essential. From then onwards the sow will require an adequate ration of milk-producing food until weaning time. Once the young pigs begin to eat from the trough the sow will begin to drop in milk production, and after weaning she will not need a ration which is necessarily milk-pro-ducing. After they have been weaned the young pigs require foods which are rich in protein and free from fibrous material Particularly at this early stage pigs require to be fed little and often. The question of the sties is worthy of consideration at this time of the year. Draughty sties, although a cause of trouble in the warmer months, are a positive menace in the- winter. If the pig-fattener wishes his pigs to do well, then the housing provided must be warm and comfortable. Good feeding and housing will ensure that the pigs farrowed this autumn will do well.