What Farrowing Supplies are Needed

[machog]

First time breeding. Got alot of help from you guy's getting my gilt settled. Thanks! She is 21 days from farrow date. Farrowing pen is ready, do not have a crate. What supplies are absolutely neccessary for the farrowing day. Keep in mind that this is the first time for both of us so any help / advise would be appreciated.

[johnnysow]

First i would get a crate or make one first time for both of you you might have your hands full if you have her in a stall. You will need towels to clean with, Iodine to dip there belly botton in,A box or tub lined with towels and a heat lamp we usally put them in the tub tell they get there legs under them and they are dry and warm.you need some lube in case you have to go in to pull out babys,some sterile rubber gloves for you,some penicillin on hand or close buy if you have some problems.If we go in her we always give 15cc of pen the next day.That sould get you threw birthing. Then your going to need needle teeth pliers or small side cutters to cut needle teeth, and tails, ear notcher pliers to notchs ears with and baby pig vactionations, if nothing else they will need iron shot next day. Im sure i left some thing out some body will add to this. Good luck

[PJP]

If you are going to farrow in a pen you need to block off at least a corner where the pigs can get to but not the sow and put a heat lamp there. I recommend using IPD (iron, pen, and draxxin mix). Its given at 24 hrs and 7 days after the pigs are born. I would also recommend castrating pigs while they are still on the sow so you need a scalpel or razor blade and iodine. The most important thing you can do is be there when the pigs are born, you can save one or two pigs per litter on avg. by being present. I agree with all the things johnnysow mentioned.

[machog]

Thanks guy's. I am building a make shift farrow crate. Have started gathering supplies.

How long should I wait between babies before I worry about one being stuck? how long will the farrow process take? I assume that once she has passed the after birth than she is done? Do you buy the IPD already mixed? How much do you give them?

Getting very excited

[pigginit]

We have found that our sows average 20 minutes between births and if there is no baby or the sow fails to push for 45 minutes then we go in and check. As much as i think a sow/gilt needs to be able to have her pigs on her own i would get one of those economy pig and lamb pullers (you can get them in the pbs catalog) to have on hand just in case.

[jlhogs]

Also understand that a pig will pass some afterbirth in between pigs. I could be wrong and someone might correct me, but I believe the sow will deliver pigs from one horn of the uterus pass some afterbirth then deliver some more piglets more afterbirth, then when she is completely done you will see the afterbirth from the whole uterus.
Sorry if this isn't clear.

[PJP]

Yes jhogs the 2 horn deal is true, usually the in between afterbirth is pretty small. I buy the premixed IPD and give 1 1/2 cc each time. I buy the premix because of the cost of the Draxxin. I can give you a vet's number who will ship it to you premixed. You need a vet to purchase Draxxin anyway. If you want to mix it yourself I heard to buy a 200 ml bottle of iron and remove 100 ml then add 50 ml pen and 50 ml Draxxin. Others might be able to advise you better on this.

The time between pigs can vary, I have had it where between cutting navels and teeth I could hardly keep up because she was pumping them out so fast and others have been 20 to 30 minutes between pigs. I agree with the 45 min. time to sleeve her theory.

[XHOG]

machog,

I noticed no one has mentioned having oxytocin on hand during farrowing. I think it is a very important thing to have. Especially in the show pig business.

Good luck with your litter.

[jlhogs]

You are right xhog, we always have oxytocin on hand.

[Piggy]

OMG if you don't know exactly how to use oxytosin, please consult a vet, you could do more harm than good.

[Piggy]

While oxytocin has potential negative implications, its use can be beneficial to farrowing by stimulating uterine contractions and preventing stillbirths in older sows, comments Dritz.

Use ½ cc (10 IU) to stimulate uterine contractions. The use of larger dosages should be avoided.

Dritz' other recommendations include:


Administer oxytocin only after the cervix is fully dilated;

Use little or no oxytocin in gilt litters;

For a normal farrowing sow, don't use oxytocin until at least six pigs have been born;

Use oxytocin when a sow has not had a piglet for more than 40 minutes; and

Use a maximum of two doses/sow.

[MidnightCurfew]

Did I miss putting her on a laxative a couple of days before Farrowing?

I think that's one of the biggest mistakes with newbies and good hogs.

Just my 2 Cents.

[pig_slayer]

hey pjp can i get that vets number that gives you that mixed ipd thanks

[PJP]

Stoney Creek Veterinary Dr. Dale Hendrickson
765-468-6099

[machog]

Thanks everybody for the great advise. All is going well. My gilt is 13 days out. I am excited and getting ready.