YOUNG SOWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3330, 12 January 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

YOUNG SOWS.

A correspondent writes: —"lf the sows are matured ones, that is two years old and oyer, they should be fed sparingly of corn and have an abundant supply of bran. The latter does does not fatten, but it supplies bone and muscle, makes material for the development of the young animal. I have, as a rule, especially in summer, given about an ear of maize each twice per day and allowed free access to a trough of dry bran. In winter 1 feed more maize. Raw potatoes, beets or mangolds once or twice a week are good for them. Clover hay, if cut and prepared so as to keep it a gieen colour, is good, and it is still better if stemmed before feeding. When roots are fed. the sows should have their regular rations of maize, etc., daily. The sow should not be allowed to get too fat or too poor, but be kept in a good medium stock condition. They will in that condition take plenty of exercise and be healthy and vigorous. Young sows should have the same variety of food, but more maize and shorts must be fed. They must have food, not only for their own growth, but that of their young, and it should be of such a character as will best attain the desired results. Shorts, or middlings, mixed with a little oil meal, ground peas, and oats, make a splendid food, together with a liberal supply of roots and bone meal. Do not be afraid of getting them too fat, if they have enough room for exercise. Crowd them forward from the time they are bred until about the time for farrowing. Provide at all times plenty of pure, fresh water. Don’t forget the water, especially in cold, freezing weather. See that they get it often. All sows, young and old, should have dry, warm, clean beds, and not more than two or three should be permitted to sleep together. If a number are kept in the same pen they pile up and are apt to receive injuries that result in abortion, and, in addition to this, they will get warm, sweat in their beds, and when they, go out into the air t .ke cold. Sows can soon be taught to go to separate pens for the night, and the breeder should see that they do, then fasten them in at night, one or two, and not more than three, in t place. It is better that each should have a separate sleeping apartment and bo required to occupy it. They should have a small amount of bedding, which should be changed once a week or oftener, if it becomes wet or dirty. Earth floors, wi(h about six inches of sand, are the best.. On this may be i placed a little cut straw, corn busks, or cornstalks cut up short Two animals sleeping together ifquire less bedding than when each occupies separate pens. “ Ashes and salt should at all times be accessible, and once or twice a week charcoal should be liberally supplied. It absorbs and neutralises the acids of the stomach and caniesofl all offensive collections in the stomach and bowels. Its value is not sufficiently appreciated by breecers.”