THE DEVELOPING PIG

Shannon News, 24 May 1927, Page 1

THE DEVELOPING PIG

When pig's are about six weeks old they should be castrated. This gives them a little time to get over the operation before they are finally sepa- -■ rated from their mother. This operation should be done by a careful and experienced person. Much harm may. be done by unskilful handling, rupture and even death being then quite common an occurrence. Warmth- is essential for young pigs, but it should never be obtained by the sacrifice of fresh air, for thorough ventilation is essential also. As the pigs gi;ow older they may be fed at less frequent intervals, but it is very doubtful if it is - economical to feed them less than three times a day.

When four to five months of age, pigs are able to digest any of the class of foods fed to them, but it ts never advisable to give them foods of a poor composition or those of an indigestible nature. Pigs have only one stomach, and are omnivorous animals, and should, therefore, never be given goods which are of a very bulky nature. Pigs are greedy animals, and when they refuse their food one may safely assume that something is wrong with their health. The tail, too, is another valuable indicator of health, being curled as a general rule when the animal is in a healthy condition.