MOST PROLIFIC SOW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

MOST PROLIFIC SOW

CLAIM MADE IN ENGLAND. 305 PIGS IN 16 LITTERS. Controversy as to .the world’s most prolific sow continues to hold attention. Canada first claimed the honour with a sow that produced 134 pigs in 35 months. Mr. H. S. Pedlingham, Colwall, near Malvern, Worcestershire, replied to this with a Large White with 148, also in 35 months. One week after publication of these details she farrowed a litter of 16, making a total of .164 in eight litters over three and ahalf years. The sow reared to butch ering age 106 of this total. In Canada The Farmer’s Advocate has been stirring up interest in an attempt to secure better figures. This paper states: “What is meant by pro lificacy? Is it the number of pigs farrowed or the actual number roared for breeding purposes or slaughter? More over, is the time or age limit a deciding factor? At the ‘F.A.’ farm, Weld wood, we have a sow that has reared 119 pigs in 11 litters. She is expected to farrow the twelfth Jitter in three weeks’ time. Fully 80 per cent, of her progeny have been sold for breeding purposes. Ou the basis of pigs reared, the Weld wood sow has her English contemporary beaten by 13 pigs. Of course, if the English sow lives and continues to breed she may pile up a total figure that is indeed hard to beat. On the other hand, she may be dead now. Now that it has started, let’s uncover the world’s most prolific sow.” The Farmer and Stockbreeder gives the full details of Mr. Pedlingham’s sow. She is still alive, having produced in all 305 pigs in 16 litters. Of ‘ these she has reared to butchering age 210, and the weight-for-age ratio has 'been well above the average. Th' 1 boars used have been of the wellknown Bourne blood. Tho following figures are vouched for by a local veterinary surgeon: — Sow farrowed January, 1923.

SOWS WITH YOUNG PROVISION OF LITTER Sows with • young should have . enough litter to keep themselves and . their little ones comfortable, but not ■ so much that the latter are able to hide themselves in it. If they should i do that they may be overlain or trod- . den on by the sow. Only short stuff ; should be used —some breeders, in fact, use nothing but chaffed straw. Afterward, when the pigs arc weaned, the amount of litter should be increased so that the pigs can find plenty of warmth, for otherwise they will miss the warmth of their mother’s body, and may take a chill. Though it may bo advisable during cold weather to keep newly-weaned pigs shut up in the pen. they should be allowed to run out into a yard as often as possible. This will largely prevent their bed from being soiled and lessen the labour ot constant cleaning.

Pigs farrowed. Reared December 12, 1923 . . 12 11 June 15, 1924 24 15 December 28, 1924 .... 18 14 Juno 11, 1925 15 13 December 25, 1925 .... 19 12 June 24, 1926 18 14 .Tanuarv 2. 1927 1<» .11 July 3. 1927 I» 14 .Tanuarv 5, 1928 .... 19 14* .Tune 29, 1928 .. .. .. 22 12* •Tanuarv 4, ‘1929 .. .. 21 14* July .19, 1929 21 16* January 1, 1930 .. .. 24 13* July 13. 1930 21. 15* December 29, 1930 ... 20 11* June 30, 1931 Id 11 305 210 * Period over which original record was broken. A silt from the January , 1930 litter had farrowed three times a under two years: — Farrowed Reared October 3.1, 1930 .. .. H 10 April 22, 1931 12 10 October 6, 1931 . . .. 1 1 .13