St. Tammany Farmer

Weaning the Pigs.
Expert Experience on a Subject Which Is of Utmost Interest to Every Farmer.

I am aware that there is a great difference of opinion in regard to age that young pigs should be allowed to remain with their dam. I have no fixed rule, as I am guided largely by the way in which the young pigs are thriving. I have frequently noticed that the milk from the dam does not agree with the young pigs, causing excessive diarrhoea, and in this case we wean the pigs at six weeks, but as a general rule I have found better results by allowing the pigs to remain with the dam until eight weeks old. A great many young pigs are injured by feeding the sow too liberally upon strong, rich food, and not having much exercise in the open air. I would strongly recommend moderate exercise, with plenty of fresh air, which is quite as essential as pure food. After the young pigs are 10 days old the sow should be liberally fed upon bran and finely-ground oats, with the addition of a small quantity of ground peas or corn, but great care should be taken that the sow should not receive much grain for about 10 days after farrowing. Many young pigs are so seriously injured during this period that they never recover.--J. E. Brethour, in Farmer's Advocate.