Farm and Garden

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 268, 15 June 1910, Page 3

Farm and Garden

RICKETS IN PIGS. Rickets is a disease affecting th« bones particularly of young pigs shortly after they are weaned, and frequently large, well-grown pigs that are very fat. In cases of this disease affecting the pigs the bones of the body lack in mineral or earthy matter, and as a result lose their rigidity, and become deformed. There is enlargement, bending and distortion of the bones of the joints and limbs, and fracture of big bones are not uncommon. The limbs, the hind one in particular, are usually first to show symptoms of disease and weakness. Afffected pigs are frequently seen to be dragging their hind parts along, unable to support their weight on their legs. The tendency to the disease is hereditary, and most likely to be seen in closely-inbred pigs when mating has been done without due regard to the bone and muscular development of the animals mated, or in those herds kept under unsanitary conidtions and long imperfectly nourished upon unbalanced rations and allowed too little exercise upon grass plots. The excessive feeding of a one-sided ration containing a great preponderance of carbohydrates (starch) to successive generations of pampered pigs induces a weakness of the bones and lack of muscular development conducive to rickets, and the disease may result from any circumstances that in effect causes improper or insufficient nutrition of the bodily system. Worms, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, prolonged use of acid foods, lack of exercise, exposure, dark, dirty, damp quarters and any other influence detrimental to health may give rise to the ailment. Fattening pigs may suddenly go down paralysed in their hind parts, on the thigh bones, or shoulderblades may break and leave the animal unable to walk. Fat, heavy, nervous sows after nursing pigs for some time, may become weak, stagger and finally go down paralysed. Distortion of the snout and difficulty in breathing often are associated with rickets in pigs and prove fatal. It is hardly practical to use medical treatment other than bitter tonics. Unless it is in advanced cases the disease can be controlled by feeding a ration rich in inorganic or mineral substances, and by good hygienic conditions. Prevention is the better cure effected by supplying suitable rations, and keeping the pigs in clean, well-ventilated quarters, where they can get plenty of exercise. Salt and charcoal are valuable additions to growing pig rations.

BLOOD AS MANURE. According to several analyses, fresh blood contains on an average three and a-half per cent, of ammonia, and very small quantities of phosthoric acid and potash. It may be distributed over the soil in a fresh condition, just as collected, and harrowed in; but it is not often thus used, because fresh blood coagulates very quickly, and decomposes. It is more suitable for throwing over a compost heap and covered with earth, or it may be mixed with peat or sawdust, and then broadcasted over the soil. A good plan is to mix the blood with powdered quicklime, in the proportion of about three per cent, of lime, and stir the mixture. It soon dries up, and can then be broken down into a fine condition, suitable for application. Dried blood is imported from South America, but is nearly all bought up by manure manufacturers as a good source of ammonia in their special manures. It contains about twelve per cent, of ammonia, and mixed with phosphate of lime and potash makes an excellent adjunct to a manure.