THE CARE OF PIGS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2028, 24 August 1880, Page 2

THE CARE OF PIGS.

The following advice on pig management is from the pen of Mr J. J. Mechi, of 'Xiptree Farm: —

I often read with regret but not surprise of diseased pigs, and know from extensive experience that it is avoidable. For some year* I kept large numbers until, owing to their proximity to the he use, they became a nuisance to my growing family. But although I had so many, and so closely packed, they were exceptionally healthy; and I will now give reasons for their being so. I was frequently told that owing to my having so many (some 200) there would be disease/ but)! felt perfectly sure it would not be so, seeing the causa for disease was not present. Pigs have a desire to huddle together, and they thus create a putrescent atmosphere, especially it on sort straw, and that is why farmers prefer strong reedy wheat straw, frequently changed, to admit air under them. In my case they wore always on sparred wooden floors, the spars being three inches wide, with an interval between each spar, and a deep pit under them, so that the change of temperature caused by the heat and their breathing, is continually circulating and changing the atmosphere around, under and above them—there should be, of course, escape openings for the heated air in the upper part of the sty or shed. There can thus be no stagnation of air—so fatal to man and beast. In cold weather they may be very closely packed or enclosed, as tbey have no woollen jacket, and have no long and strong bristles like the hogs of cold countries. Of course the urine all falls between the spars, and the solid they generally deposit in one corner.

In hot summer weather I was most successful in fattening hogs, without fear of fever (frequently so destructive). In a shed that would held forty or fifty (sparred floor with deep pit under it) I turned on my jet, as from a fire engine, and in a few minute* they were scon washed clean and refreshed, ard would rub their skins as clean as the back of my hand. A fresh lot, coming in from market dirty, were soon cleaned under a shower of sixty gallons per minute. Those who prefer putting a littls straw on the boards in winter can do so—the urine will still run through, and the air circulate*, which is the great desideratum. Boarded floors have been long used in Essex for fattening calves, experience proving the advantage of tho practice. Almost all animal* do best on sparred floors —from a bullock to a rabbit. They greatly economise our straw, and set it free for market or for food. It is lamentable to see pig mismanagement. Burrowing in manure, getting heated, and then by exposure catching cold and lung disease (heaves) or fever. Pigs are groat feeders, and soon poison a non-circulating atmosphere. The laborer’s pig, being alone, escapes the danger of close company, and consequent poisoned atmosphere. I have fattened hundreds of cattle on sparred floors without a particle of straw or any sweeping of floors, the excreta all passing between tho spars to the pit under them. I once had twelve white cattle on these spars from the time they were six months old until sold fat at two years old, and they were always clean and healthy. In fact, from calves until full grown for the butcher, my cattle were constantly on sparred floors. They always fattened as quickly and grow as well as those on straw or covered yards, and were especially healthy. This system of sparred floors is a most important one where straw is dear and scarce, also where the excreta are washed on to the land by sewage, and particularly as a preventive of disease, Spirred floors economise much labor. It is well to put animals on them when young. I have fattened sheep on them very successfully. Sheep reqnire more ventilation than hairy animals. It is worth noting that sheep on straw under cover do not get foot rot, and can do with little straw ; but in open yards, exposed to rainfall, they will get bad feet unless very frequently littered. Urine does not rot the feet. When, farmers give up the belief that Mr Mechi i* a mere theorist, it will be better for their pockets, and then I shall be much gratified. The opening between the spars may be according to the size of the animals ; a quarter-inch of opening would permit free circulation of air; one and a half inch is a good size for cattle.