FARMING NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5491, 23 October 1929, Page 1

FARMING NOTES.

ORPHAN PIGS. DIFFICULTY IN REARING. Young pigs* are not easy to rear by hand. When a sow is lost shortly after farrowing, and if the litter is a good one, an effort will be made, as a rule to rear the piglets by hand, more especially when they are likely to realise high prices as weanlings of six to eight weeks old. The first week or two is the most trying time, for the piglings must be. fed very frequently, not only during the day but also at night. The utilisation of thermos flasks, with rubber teats attached, somewhat resembling a baby’s bottle, will surmount the. general obstacle to the frequency of feeding the piglings at their earliest stage. Place a flask for each pig in a row in a wooden case or box, packed with straw, the teats protruding in such a way as to be within easy reach of the youngsters. Make a nice and comfortable bed for them with straw. They soon learn to help themselves when they need food.

At two to three weeks old begin feeding them a little oatmeal gruel or fine porridge and warm milk placed in a shallow trough. After they are three to four weeks old they may be turned wholly to trough feeding, which should still consist of milk and gruel or a very sloppy mash.

Most troubles in young pigs result from unsuitable feeding. Never give any solid food until the pigs are six to eight weeks old. Let all changes in feeding be made gradually.