Pigs and Piggeries

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 September 1911, Page 4

Pigs and Piggeries

-«o IMPORTANCE OF GOO© HOUSING. The first matter, and on© of the most important, to be decided before commencing pig-keeping or tin erection of new piggeries, says Mr J. L. Bruce, during the course <..f a." article 011 '• Pig Breeding and Man agement," published in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture, .* the choice of a site. Pig.;, dike most animals—a,:id more so than appears to be necessary for some—require warmth and freedom from draughts and damp, more especially protection from the latter, whiich if they are subjected to, renders them frequently victims to rheumatic ailment 6:, with consequent .general unprofitableness and heavy mortality. Rheumatic troubles are also frequently due to errors of diet especially to stale and sour milk. Piggeries should, therefore, be built on rising ground, facing the north, and if any choice is obtainable, cold day subsoils should be avoided. The buildings need not necessarily bo costly, although a concrete floor is desirable, and will possibly be found thie creapest, while it is decidedly the most sanitary, and therefore, the most satisfactory. In this country protection from the direct rays of the sun is equally as esential as shelter from the weather. Store pig, says Dr. Bruce, should be provided with a small securely fenced enclosure for exercise, and there provided with green food, such as grass, clover lucerne, maize, or roots; but shelter from the sun and weather, and a domfortalble bed should alwaiys be accessible. No. other, stock should be allowed within this inclosure.