CHANGING THE FOOD

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17840, 12 October 1929, Page 22 (Supplement)

CHANGING THE FOOD

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS. DEVELOPMENT OF PIGS. It sometimes happens that pigs, weaned when very young, develop an illness because they are not accustomed to the food that is being given to them. It is essential to the growth •and development of pigs that they be fed before weaning on foods similar to that bn which they will have to depend after weaning, in addition to the sow’s milk. If this is not done they suffer a great deal from digestive disorders when the change in the food is made. In fact, many oases are recorded in which incorrect methods of feeding prior to and immediately after weaning have meant such a serious check in the development of pigs that they have not recovered and have failed to make any progress at all, with the result that they become slow-growing, unprofitable runts of little or no value. If ■correet methods of feeding and handling had been followed at this stage It is more than likely that they would have continued to develop satisfactorily, and to have proved profitable. Treating Constipation. Treatment for constipation consists in giving regular doses of reliable purgative like castor oil or Epsom salts or, in very severe cases, three to five grains of calomel in one teaspoonful of sugar included in a small ball or mass of moistened pollard or bread. Compulsory exercise in the sunshine, liberal supplies of green food, and sufficient mineral food and drinking water are equally necessary, specially succulent green foods. Groat care is needed in treating pigs suffering from inflammation of the stomach, and bowels.- When these organs are in an abnormal condition irritating medicines may aggravate the trouble and lead to still more severe trouble. Liberal closes of castor oil to keep the digestive tract free are advisable, and ttie regular addition of lime water to the food supply is beneficial.