Pregnancy and farrowing (giving birth)
Pregnancy lasts for 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days.
A well fed sow will produce at least 10 piglets (litter) from each pregnancy and may have 2 litters each year. |
Learning objectives
After studying this unit you should be able to:
1 Care for the pregnant sow.
2 Recognise when the sow is about to farrow (give birth).
3 Recognise normal farrowing.
4 Recognise when the sow has problems and be able to assist.
Care of the pregnant sow
If the sow shows no sign of being in heat 3 weeks after mating
she is pregnant. The pregnancy will last about 3 months 3 weeks and 3
days. During the pregnancy the sow will need plenty of feed high in
nutrients and will especially need more feed towards the end of the
pregnancy. She should be given some feed high in nutrients e.g. grain
and greenstuffs every day. Giving the sow access to clean soil or grass
with roots from land where no pigs have been kept will allow her to get
the minerals she needs.
Give the sow plenty of clean bedding when birth is close.
Signs that the pig is ready to farrow
The sow becomes restless and starts to make a nest within 24
hours of giving birth. The teat will produce milk when gently squeezed.
Blood stained fluid may be passed from the vagina 1 to 2 hours
before birth begins and if small greenish pellets appear the first
piglet will appear within an hour.
Gently rubbing the udder will make the sow relax and lie on her side in the position to give birth.
Normal farrowing
Farrowing is a natural process and the sow will usually need no
help. Once the first piglet is born the others, and the afterbirth, will
quickly follow. Farrowing should be completed within 2 to 3 hours. The
navel cord will break (you do not need to cut it) and the piglet will
immediately search for a teat and milk. If the navel bleeds, tie it
tightly with a clean string or cord.
When and how to help in farrowing
If the sow shows all the signs of farrowing but she has not
produced a piglet and is pawing with a hind leg, or if 45 minutes has
passed since the first piglet appeared and there is no sign of the
second you will have to help the sow.
· Wash your hands and arms with warm water and soap and scrub under your fingernails.
· Wash the region of the vulva.
· Make your hands soapy or put olive or sunflower oil on your hands.
· Put your hand into the vagina and feel for the piglet or matter causing the blockage and try to remove it.
Clear the piglet's mouth and nose of mucous and if it is not
breathing you can slap it to encourage it to breath. Gently rub the
piglet dry and put its mouth on a teat.