CARE OF THE PIG

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 400, 14 July 1928, Page 25

CARE OF THE PIG

Pigs are hardy animals that will never thrive as they should if they have not got a warm and dry place to lie in. Wallowing in dirt will never hurt them if they have a good bed to go to when they feel inclined, hut when the conditions of the yard or sty are very bad, there is, of course, considerable trouble in keeping the bed clean and dry. The litter must be constantly removed when mud is always being brought in, and it will pay to do it.

A great many sties are still floored with concrete and sometimes with brick, all of these materials being bad for pigs to lie on in winter. They ab sorb moisture and give rise to cramp, chills and other ills, and their evil effects are not entirely discounted j even when litter is supplied in the greatest abundance. Anything of this sort absorbs moisture readily and takes a long time to dry, and when it is wet it is very cold for pigs to lie on. Wood is probably the best material for a pig’s sleeping quarters, for although this will, of course, also absorb moisture, it is never so cold as brick, stone or cement. The hardest wood obtainable should be used, and there should be a slight slope on the floor so that any moisture may trickle away. If this be done very little will be absorbed. Existing floors of brick or similar materials may be much im proved by placing upon them a wooden platform, which is all the better for being movable for cleaning purposes. Otherwise the wooden floor should be built on joists, which in their turn should be supported on a brick foundation at intervals to keep them off the ground. Bracken makes a good bed for pigs when straw is scarce, and heather is another very good substitute, but does not make such good manure when it is thrown out afterwards into the. yard. The pig’s sleeping quarters, even though they do not become actu- i ally foul, should be swept out at fre- ! quent intervals, and disinfected.