PIG MANAGEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 10

PIG MANAGEMENT.

Ihe following practical liints on pigmanagement by A. hi. Dowie formed tiie basis of an address to those attending tlie farmers’ classes at iJookio recently;— On many farms pig-raising should be an important source of revenue. Ail farms are not suitable lor pig-raising on a large scale, hho ideal farm is one possessing a good grass paddock for grazing the sows and stores, with a lucerne paddock to take its place when the grass dries off. Given these, the next requirement is a suitable site, convenient to the home, for the yards and sty. This must have a good natural drainage. The sty should be built with concrete floors for preference (about 4in thick), and a raised wooden floor on a part of k to make a dry, warm bed or peeping place for the pigs. There should be a crush-race about the width of the largest pig, near the sty, so that pigs can be put into it for ringing or for any purpose during which the mail must have complete control. This will be found a great convenience, the sty should be built in such a way that all requirements for tile pigs can be brought by a horse-drawn vehicle, and the manure removed by the same means. A loading ramp, either portable or fixed, is also required. It is necessary that the sty should have water laid on, and leed bins for the storage of food. Jii tlie pens to be used for the fattening' ot pigs self-feeders should be constructed, -to hold about five bags of fodder, crushed gmm, or pollard. Hus will save a deal of labour: and with careful attention the pigs always have plenty to eat. The cheapest uay to fatten a pig is to give him all the loo(l he can cat. In addition to grain, nmk, lucerne, boiled potatoes, and green stuli aid much in the fattening and are relished by pigs. A 3 oung breeder should endeavour to get sows and a boar from a breeder who has been selecting bis breeding stock from large litters. No sow should have less than 12 teats. She should be long, broad and deep with strong limbs, the hams being well let down. Authorities say that the boar should be ox neater appearance, but care should be taxten that the baconers to be soid are not short. A long, robust pig with good quarters should be the aim. lhe breed can be left to the individual fancy. The Berkshires are the more numerous; the Middle jkork has many admirers, and many spealt high ly of the crosses of the Tam worth and -British Blacks. The saws should be allowed to run on the grass or lucerne till within a week or so of farrowing. The boar should be kept in a yard bv himself, m which a shelter shed is provided. The *>o\\s also should be able to get shelter in a shed in rough weather. The farrowing pens should have a fender on the sides and across one corner, and in this a warm nest of straw can be made for the little pigs, fehort straw should be used. No matter vvnat care is taken some sows will lie on some of their litter. A second offence, if serious, should mean that they go to the fattening pens. lhe young hogs should be castrated early, and if branding with a firebrand is desired it can be clone at this time, but it should be placed so as not to damage the valuable meat. A solution of one tablespoonful of suit to a pint and a-half of water applied to the wound is very beneficial. The future sows of the herd should be selected and marked, only the best from a large, even litter being chosen. These can be again

called when seven or eight months old, and they should not be bred from till 12 months old. At two months old t-lis litter can he weaned. This. is one of the most critical times in the life of the pig on the farm, because, deprived of the mother’s milk if care is not taken it will receive a check wkiich will delay its getting 1 to market. The young pigs should be fed on milk and pollard, or any crushed grain, the greater the variety the better, and should be allowed to run out during the day. One thing must be guarded against, and that is loss of condition and growth. After a few weeks the young pigs can be turned out with the store pigs, and allowed to come into the sty for tood and shelter at night. A little later they will, be able to fend for themselves if the grazing paddock is good. They will grow, and should be big enough to put in the fattening pens at the age of six or seven months, and should be fit for the butcher in four to six weeks if well fed. It is a sound maxim never to send a pig to market unless fat. If vou do some feeder will buy it, and, after feeding it a week or so, will make a handsome profit at your expense. Again, a nig should not tie fed aftei it is fat, because the additional weight, will not pay for the feed. A . breeder, should always insist on the animals being kindly handled. They are flesh and blood, and respond to good "treatment handsomely. Only keep sows or boars that are docile, as ill-tempered animals are dangerous and difficult to handlfe. The pig is a difficult animal to hold if he wants to get in or out of his varcb Barbed wire, wire netting, and other forms of wire fences have been tried, and have proved not too satisfactory. A paling fence nailed to rails, or, better still, a paling fence held by two crossed wires top and bottom, running through posts 10ft apart, is one of the best kinds of fences. Ordinary fences should be at least 3t high but for boars higher fences are needed. Vermin worry pigs a great deal, and should be kept in ehecK. Oil and kerosene, mixed in about equal quantities, and rubbed alone fhc-ir backs and other spots where the vermin shelter, will rid the pigs of them oelt-oilers are very effective, and should bo available. Charcoal, ashes, also a wallow should be available for the pigs.