PIG-RAISING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22824, 7 March 1936, Page 23

PIG-RAISING

PROBLEM OF WINTER REARING NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS ' The farrowing and rearing of litters in winter undoubtedly entails more trouble and risk than at other seasons, let provided suitable precautions are taken, the farrowing should come off all right and a reasonable number of pigs be reared and weaned. Records available suggest that Novem-ber-born litters suffer the highest percentage of casualties, due probably to_ the sunless and damp weather conditions. Litters born in January have a better chance of enjoying at least a little lifegiving sunshine while still quite young. The sow's condition and health at the time of farrowing i 8 naturally a matter of importance. In summer, she would usually have been out at range all day, but this can seldom be possible during January. EXERCISE FOR SOWS. She should, however, be allowed out for a few hours' exercise in suitable weather, and—when grass is lacking—be given a daily feed of greenstuff, as kale or cabbage. The sow's health will further beneht if, in the last week of her time, she is given a half-and-half mixture of weatings and bran in place of the usual allowance of weatings only. As the main danger to newly-born pigs comes from risks of chill, every effort must be made to have the farrowing quarters snug and warm. A pig that gets chilled in the first couple or three days of its life is, for all practical purposes, a dead pig. Even in styes whose construction leaves much to be desired, a good deal can be done to improve matters for the occasion. . DANGERS TO AVOID. Dampness and draughts are the chief things to be avoided—especially floor draughts. A sow and young family cannot be comfortable if a continuous current of cold air reaches them from under the door. In such conditions, in _ fact, the youngsters are exposed to serious risk, and losses from chill are practically certain. Hence, where the sty door leads direct into the open, it is most advisable to fix up some draught screen. Extra boarding outside, or sacking nailed across the bottom of the door—also outside—would be a help. But a curtain of sacking, trailing on the floor, between the door and the sow's bed, will prove more effective. The nature of the flooring also influences the temperature. Many old sty floors are damp and cold, and concrete flooring has the drawback of being chilly. The use of a movable wooden " platform," such as is so often recommended, represents one wav of improving matters. THE SOW'S BED. Or, if more convenient, you could spread a thick layer of chaff as a foundation for the sow's bed. It hardly needs saying that the straw litter provided should be dry as well as plentiful. Also, with a view tp warmth, care should be taken to see that the sow's nest is free from dampness at the time of farrowing. The sow herself is not likely to need any more attention at a winter than at a summer farrowing. But should there be any difficulty, and farrowing be prolonged, then, for the sake_ of the piglings, it obviously becomes advisable for someone to be at hand all the time.

A box containing warm bedding and a hot brick, in which to put the piglings till the farrowing is finished, proves very useful in such cases. Should the weather be really cold the piglings may even be put back into the box for a few nights till they gain strength. Essential as is warmth in the sty, it would be a mistake to sacrifice ventilation entirely for its sake. If every inlet is stuffed up all the time the piglings run risks of getting bronchitis, pneumonia or digestive troubles, from breathing the close, damp air. But at nights, at any rate, warmth should be given first consideration, even at the expense of ventilation. Keep the sty warm then, and air it well during the day. Each day, too, throw out the wet, upper layer of the bed and replace with clean, dry straw. A successful farrowing, however, does not mean the end of all trouble with winter piglings. Litters born in the cold season need extra attention during rearing, and they should be pushed on well bo as to gain strength quickly. Adoption of the creep-feeding method at as early an age as possible (three to four weeks) will be a big help. Even the most inexperienced pigkeeper will see the desirability of mixing the youngsters' feed with warm water.

As an additional means of helping backward piglings at this season, a dailv dose (two teaspoonsful each) of cod-liver oil, added to the feed, can be well recommended.

The sow, of course, needs to go out everv day, though few sows will stay away from their young longer than a quarter or half an hour during the first week. After the pigs are a fortnight old they, too, will benefit much if, on sunny days, they are allowed out for an hour or two's freedom with the dam.