CARE OF BREEDING SOWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2254, 23 June 1881, Page 4

CARE OF BREEDING SOWS.

(“ Prairie Farmer.”) During the latter part of this month and throughout April a large number of pigs will be farrowed, and a few words relating to the care of brood sows is not out of place at this time, especially in view of the exceptionable severity of the present season. The necessity of providing dry, warm quarters for such sows, if not already supplied, was never more urgent than this spring. The heavy falls of snow have made it nearly impossible for swine to move about much. They are imprisoned, so to speak, confined in barns, sheds and pens, and unable to get much exercise aside than what can be obtained in their quarters, and if too much crowded the brood sows cannot do well. While carrying her young the sow should have opportunity to exercise, and be generously fed, but not on too rich food. During a considerable portion of ordinary winters in the latitude of the Central Western Slates, the weather admits of turning swine out on pasture where they may occasionally get at blue grass or other green vegetable matter. Since the middle of November last the severity of the season has precluded this course, and hence the necessity of feeding swine a liberal supply of vegetable food, such as sugar beets, turnips, mangolds, potatoes, apples, artichokes, &0., and this applies especially to brood sows. Sugar beets aro admirably suited to this purpose. Besides being very productive and easily kept uninjured all winter in pits, they are highly relished by swine, and, indeed, by all kinds of live stock, and their effects upon domestic animals are very salutary, as they aid in keeping them in healthy condition. Thus fed, sows scarcely ever devour their own young, as is often the case when feverish from being fed on corn for a considerable length of time. An experienced farmer is aware that it an easy matter to raise and store beets, artichokes, turnips, pumpkins, apples, and other vegetable products of this character, and he knows, too, that when they aro fed with judgment he will be abundantly repaid for the labor and cost of raising them; but the fact remains that many farmers give this matter little attention. It is well, therefore, to call attention to it now and then, and to suggest that those who fail to provide such vegetable food for their stock stand very much in their own light. That many valuable brood sows ore utterly ruined by a constant corn and meal diet, does not admit of a doubt, and the “ Prairie Farmer,” therefore emphasizes the importance of a more judicious course in the selection of thoir food.

Another thing that is worthy of mention in this connection is tho bad habit of permitting

brood sows, when heavy and awkward, to run among horses and cattle, whereby numerous and annoying accidents occur. Litters of very lino pigs are often lost, and sometimes tho sow herself dies from a kick or other injury re reived by reason of this unwise policy. From various sources and sections wo learn I hat few pigs aro being wintered over this season. Wherever corn has been scarce and high the shoats and many breeding animals also wore disposed of. In such places it is the more necessary that extra caro be given to tho brood sows that aro left so as to raise as many pigs as possible