Farrowing Issue.

[Masterofpanic]

I had a sow having her second parity, she started farrowing Thursday night. The first 7 came out pretty well, albeit backwards but she pushed them out no problems, and all on her own. I figured she was done after she passed her 3rd large chunk of after birth. I noticed some straining however Friday afternoon but figured it was just post birthing things, I've had sows do this before. I checked her again Saturday morning to find 2 dead pigs behind her that she passed during the night. Completely formed good sized and looked normal just dead. She passed a lot more afterbirth again after those 2. I figured now she was done, so I gave penicillin and vitamin b 12 because she wasn't eating obv. But drinking very good. She's milking very well and the 7 seem healthy, however I went out this morning and found another dead one she passed last night! I can't figure out what went wrong? Did she just quit pushing? How can I correct this next time? Or do I just need to go up in and feel for pigs after every one that's born? Thanks for any help.

[HogDoc]

I don't know what her BCS is but it sounds like one that might be a bit over conditioned combined with uterine inertia. If this is the case and their are others that might have the same problem being a little more aggressive about assisteng them would be a good idea.

Ridley makes a product that is a calcium supplement you feed for a three days prefarrowing that does help shorten farrowing time.

http://www.hubbardfeeds.com/swine/ProdI ... 20Products

[Masterofpanic]

Thank you Doc. Yes she was over conditioned no doubt. She's in a group of gestating sows and they get 4 lbs a day total, she's a pretty aggressive eater, and no doubt ate more than 4 lbs a day. I will def. be trying that calcium additive. I fed priority one this year it didn't do much.

[mtbkmom]

We used this product. Big strong pushes. Had a gilt push out 8 3-4 pounders in 55 minutes. Incredible stuff.

[Piggy]

I would never be without it either, here it s hot,hot,hot and do not have any problems farrowing. They lay down and spit them right out. Of course, I would not let a sow just lay there without checking if she had another pig or two in her, or give oxy if I thought she was finished. Good luck, Piggy

[Masterofpanic]

Just to clarify Piggy, u give oxy if u think she is done?

[Piggy]

well t his is a "gut" call. I don't use it unless I THINK there may be another pig in her and she is NOT pushing. Then I will use it. always use it when I feel that they are finished. But I do check her. even if I don't feel a pig and she is not pushing, I may use some oxy just to be sure. It is like I said, a gut call. I go on my instincts, w hich does not help you much, but I pretty well been doing this for 30 years also. i.e is a short litter and I think there are more pigs, etc. Piggy

[mtbkmom]

For us, there is "the dip" when they are lying on their sides....right over the side of their ham going forward, just as they go toward the side/ribs....it should look like you are about to fall off of planet earth....a huge dip down on their side plus lots of placenta, plus a good number of pigs (if they looked huge in the first place, look for at least 10... or so,so in the first place, look for 6 +). Less than 6, I would be tempted to check and see if I can feel another pig up in there anyways. If you don't have the dip, you are not done. We don't routinely go in and check unless as above we think she is not done because then you are obligated to use antibiotics. We give oxytocin routinely at the end of a large litter with the dip and lots of placenta coming out just to help and make sure all of the placenta comes out (14 + piglets). It does take some experience and then you start to get the hang of it.

Last year I thought my berk was not all that big and she started to sink in a little on her side after 6 pigs. She started to pass placenta and I thought she was done. She really didn't dip down yet, but I didn't expect much. Had her crate all cleaned up and had started to leave and my son called me back....she had 3 more babies and then she clearly had the dip and she was done. I just was not patient enough and did not think she would have very many babies.

[Masterofpanic]

Thanks for the replies. As far as oxy, how will one 2cc dose last on her, or do you give every couple hrs If its a long labor? I am all alone, and I have rather large farmer hands, so the less I can go up and pull the hogs the better I feel that's why I wasn't aggressive this go around. Also my sow is not on feed yet. I get her up she drinks well but no feed, any suggestions besides give her something sweet?

[HogDoc]

2 cc is a boatload of oxytocin and that much can cause hard enough contractions to get you in trouble. I will generally give 1/2 cc at a time and repeat it every hour if necessary.

I'd probably tell you to give the sow antibiotics for 3-5 days in a row and treat her with some dexamethasone to try and get her eating.

[Masterofpanic]

Thank you!

[Piggy]

another thing that will keep them from eating, is being constipated. I make sure mine go the first 24 hrs. after farrowing, or get them out of the crate and walk them until they go. This helps a lot to make them start eating.

[Masterofpanic]

I don't know what her BCS is but it sounds like one that might be a bit over conditioned combined with uterine inertia. If this is the case and their are others that might have the same problem being a little more aggressive about assisteng them would be a good idea.

Ridley makes a product that is a calcium supplement you feed for a three days prefarrowing that does help shorten farrowing time.

http://www.hubbardfeeds.com/swine/ProdI ... 20Products

Is this product no longer available?

[HogDoc]

I bought a bucket just the other day at the Co-op in Leland when I was driving by there. They seemed to have lots of it sitting around.

Here is another link. They must have rearranged their website or something.

http://www.hubbardfeeds.com/product/transrite-sow-ultra

[SFS]

21.50 for a 10lb bag. any where online cheaper???