PIGS AND DIRT.

Shannon News, 27 January 1925, Page 3

PIGS AND DIRT.

Unfortunately in a number of cases people seem to think that pigs and dirt should go together, and frequently one finds pigs in yards leg deep in mud, a little damp dirty straw, and a few slabs in a low, draughty sty beiilg provided for bedding, Though under these unfavourable conditions the rearing of pigs may be profitable, if carried' on under more favourable conditions the results would be much better, less food would be required, there would be fewer losses from disease, and the handling would be much more pleasant. Well drained sites should always be chosen for the sties, and low ground, towards which drainage will gravitate, must be avoided. Shady trees in or near the run will add great- i ly to the comfort or the pig during 1 the summer. The sty should be suffi- j ciently high for a man to stand up in. The lower the roof the hotter the sty, | and the less fresh air available, and i fresh air is a vital necessity to the i pig. The walls should be snug and j draught-proof, and in cold we'ather j the pig should be supplied with a fair supply of dry bedding. In order to I get the best results, pigs must be kept free of vermin. This object can be best attained by the use of oil or germicidal washes.