Farrowing at a Shelter

This presentation will focus on what I feel are the most important aspects of managing a sow and her piglets to produce healthy, happy animals. For the sake of simplicity, I will refer to the pregnant pig as a "sow." I will approach this talk from the perspective of a sow in a shelter situation. You will have some special challenges because: 1) You do not have a health history on the sow. 2) You do not have a breeding date, therefore you will be unable to calculate the farrowing date. 3) You will have the temperament of the sow to contend with. There will also be decisions to make based on your particular facility. I'm assuming that you have a good working relationship with a vet who has experience with this species and breed. You may need your vet for emergency assistance during a farrowing and more routinely for medical management issues, spays, and neuters.

Since male pigs have viable sperm as early as eight weeks of age, it is paramount that you NOT allow unneutered males access to unspayed females. Breeding through fencing happens. I recommend that male piglets be neutered at three weeks of age. Any boar of breeding age joining your rescue must be placed in a secured area where it is impossible for him to access intact females. He should be neutered as soon as possible.

GLOSSARY

gilt: female pig who has never had piglets.
sow: female pig who has had piglets.
gestation: the time from conception to birthing. (Three months, three weeks, and three days, or a total of 114 days).
farrow: the birthing process.
lactation: milk production.
colostrum: first milk produced that passes on immunities to the piglets.
Creep Area: an area that the piglets can access and the sow cannot. This space serves as a "safe" sleeping and eating area (when pellets are introduced).

SOW HEALTH

The normal regimen for a sow is to administer a parvo/lepto vaccination three weeks pre-breeding. This aids in the prevention of reproductive diseases. Three weeks pre-farrowing provide an erysipelas/rhinitis vaccine and de-worm. The parvo/lepto vaccination will be unnecessary in cases where a pregnant sow joins your shelter, but the erysipelas/rhinitis vaccination should be given even if you don't know the expected farrowing date. Your vet will help you work out a vaccination and de-worming program for pregnant sows. Ask your vet about the use of Lutalyse®, a prostaglandin, that could successfully abort the litter. Lutalyse® can be a valuable option for the shelter owner.

FARROWING FACILITY

The three main ingredients of a good farrowing area are:

1. Availability of reliable/safe electricity. Heat lamps and/or heat mats are necessary to provide adequate warmth for newborns who require a temperature of 90°. I place a heat lamp two feet above the "creep" area and another above the sow. Of course the ambient room temperature will determine how much supplemental heat will be required. 250 watt heat lamps are too hot. I prefer the 125 watt bulbs.
2. No drafts. Make certain the area is draft-free. Curtains or hovers can prevent drafts.
3. Adequate space for the sow as well as an area for babies that she cannot access (creep area). Guardrails across a corner define a safe piglet area, with a heat lamp installed above. These horizontal rails should begin at six inches above the floor and end at twelve inches, so the sow cannot step over. It is also important for the birthing assistant, in this case, the pigwife, to fit somewhat comfortably in the farrowing area. If possible, move the expectant mother into the farrowing least five days prior to the due date so she has time to adjust to her new digs.

It's been my experience that newborns' little, tiny feet slip and slide on a surface without a mat or bedding. A heavy rubber mat serves as a nice cushion for momma pig and prevents the babies from skinning their knees and developing leg problems. The rubber mat can be washed and disinfected as often as necessary. Disinfecting the total farrowing area prior to moving the sow in is important. A good sanitizing product can be purchased at a veterinary supply or farm and home store. Clorox diluted with ten parts water is also effective. It is very caustic, so be sure to dilute it properly. Before moving the sow in, make certain the cleaned area is completely dry.

Good bedding materials include wood chips, shredded paper or straw. 'Tis true that sows love big, bulky blankets for the nesting ritual. But, occasionally a baby will get tangled and may suffocate. I often give a nest-building gilt or sow an old throw rug or blanket; but, when the business of serious birthing is imminent, out go these luxurious frivolities and only sparse bedding is provided.

PRE-FARROWING

It is most likely that you will not know the date the pregnant sow was bred, hence you will not know her due date. This is definitely not to your advantage, as a sow does not show much until she is about three weeks away from farrowing, dependant upon how many piglets she is carrying. A gilt or sow with only a few piglets may not show at ail. A pendulous belly that looks to have dropped and an udder that has an indention along the mid-line (much like a loaf of nicely baked bread) are physical signs of an upcoming farrowing. Other indicators closer to the actual farrowing time include: nest building that can last from a few hours to several days, individual glands in the udder becoming defined, the ability to express milk from the teats as much as twelve hours before parturition, an enlarged vulva, and lastly, vaginal ooze, the imminent indicator that commences farrowing is soon to begin. Also the sow will urinate and defecate frequently and chew on objects. Before farrowing thoroughly clean the sow's vulva and udder with an antibacterial soap to prevent future health problems for the babies.

I know what you are thinking. "How am I going to get this wild sow that I just rescued into the farrowing area. Is she crazy - wash her udder and vulva. She must be dreaming!" I know of two ways to get a pig from point A to point B if the shake can filled with food is not going to work. You can kennel the pig or use a rolling cart. I have the directions for building such a cart if anyone is interested. I would not be without this useful tool. If you get a sow in your shelter who you feel pretty certain is pregnant, it would behoove you to work on taming her down. I feel that being with a sow during farrowing is beneficial. This way you can make sure each baby is breathing properly, gets on a teat, and doesn't get laid upon. Some pigwives like to let nature take her course and pretty much stay out of the process. But I'm all for being totally involved, unless the sow simply not allow it. You want the sow to be relaxed and feel safe. You don't want her to be worrying about your every move.

THE FARROWING PROCESS

When a sow has finished nest building, lays down, usually on her side, and you see the vaginal ooze, you can expect to see signs of labor. She will push and her sides will quiver and her legs will often stiffen and extend as she pushes. Then she will rest for a while. I have noticed that often just before a piglet is born, the sow's tail will do a bit of flicking. Sometime you will have a little notice. You may sec a nose or a foot, but it may disappear again. This is where patience pays off. You really can't do much to help until the head or a leg is out and then, if need be, you can gently help to pull the piglet the rest of the way out. The sow may become "woofie" at this point -jump up to see what has happened. You need to keep the piglet out of her way and safe. Have a small box handy with toweling or bedding in case you need to stash a piglet or two out of harms way while mom rearranges her nest in preparation for another birthing. Make sure to keep the piglets warm. A pig is born with a thin film all over its body and these funny, gelatinous like hoof protectors. Its eyes are opened and it can walk almost immediately. The length of its umbilical cord will astound you. After a piglet is born, dry it off with a towel and check to make certain that it has an anus and does not have a cleft palate. Place it by the udder, if the sow will allow, and encourage it to nurse. Some pigs grab a teat and go, while others act like they haven't got the foggiest. It's up to you to make certain that all piglets nurse so they receive the colostrum they need. I keep records on what time each piglet is born and the condition: alive, dead, deformed, mummy, cleft palate, no anus, etc. This gives me something to do during all the waiting. Usually about midway through the farrowing, the sow will expel an afterbirth. Simply put it in a bucket. You can expect three or more of these afterbirth blobs. There will be a fair amount of blood, so have plenty of towels handy for cleaning off the babies and wiping up. Put clean bedding behind the sow's rump when needed.

Sows are more likely to accept their piglets readily, while a first time mother is not so sure she likes those little things who are causing her pain. After a piglet is born, keep it at the udder area. Often piglets motivate back from whence they came the vulva - and mom doesn't like that. She also doesn't want them up by her face while she is concentrating on birthing. Once farrowing is completed, a gilt will most often settle into her job of mothering. Be watchful and do what the circumstances dictate to keep the piglets safe and make sure they get the needed colostrum. Piglets mark to one particular teat within the first hours of life. You will witness squabbling, biting and vocalizing over a certain teat. You may need to physically encourage one of the two pigs who are making such a to-do over the same teat to move over one. It is important that each pig has access to a teat. If you have more piglets than teats, you will need to supplement the less aggressive ones, or separate the piglets into two distinct nursing groups and rotate them every two hours. If you need to provide supplemental milk, teach piglets to sip from a shallow pan or jar lid. Do not bottle feed. If a piglet is in need of additional milk, it will drink from a pan. Keep all piglets with mom if at all possible.

The farrowing process can last from under two hours to six or more. I like the fast and furious ones that go smoothly and quickly, hut that is not always the case. You need to be patient, but at the same time watchful and ready to assist as needed. 1 have never had to call upon a vet to perform a cesarean section, but 1 often administer Oxytocin if the sow labors and labors and no pig presents. Judgment based on knowledge is everything during these tense times. I administer between 1/4 and 3/4 cc of Oxytocin subcutaneously in the rump close to the vulva if an hour has elapsed between birthings and it is suspected that there are more babies to come. Oxytocin is also useful if the sow is having trouble producing milk or hasn't expelled all the afterbirth. Consult your vet for specifics. Litter size varies from several piglets to as many as twelve, with an average somewhere between five and seven piglefs per litter.

NEWBORN CARE

When you are sure farrowing is complete and all the babies have had sufficient colostrum, take the babies away to a warm spot (where the mother cannot hear them) and give them a medical work up. If it is a large litter, take half the babies away leaving the others to keep mom busy. Repeat the below process with the second half.

1. Check to make sure the piglet has an anus and doesn't have a cleft pallet. In my opinion, if either of these conditions is present, the animal should be euthanized.
2. Nip needle teeth making certain not to cut the gums or tongue. Just getting those razor-sharp tips off is adequate. There are a total of eight needle teeth, two upper on each side and two lower on each side.
3. Cut the umbilical cord to within one inch of the belly and dip it in naval iodine.

SOW CARE

If you feel certain that your sow has NOT expelled all of her afterbirth, Oxytocin is appropriate. If the sow exhibits a hard, reddened udder, apply a hot compress, followed by a nice udder nib with bag balm. If the piglets appear hungry all the time, the sow may have insufficient milk production to maintain them. This condition is called MM A -mastitis, metritis and agalactia. Antibiotics will be necessary and Oxytocin can be beneficial. Seek the advice of your vet.

WEANING

The sow's condition, litter size, and the vigor of the piglets will help you determine the best time to wean. 1 wean at five weeks of age. Never wean piglings before they are readily eating dry food. This is a stressful time, and it's best to move the sow away from her piglets. By following this procedure, the weanlings are left in a familiar environment even though their milking machine has disappeared. Upon weaning, the sow's udder will become engorged and she will be uncomfortable for a few days. Adding dried or fresh parsley to her reduced daily ration seems to help in the drying up process.

FEEDING

The most important element in feeding potbellied pigs is to provide complete nutrition while not underfeeding or overfeeding. This can be tricky. I feed my animals two times a day except for nursing females who get to dine three times daily.

• Nursing piglets to 6 weeks: Use a starter ration that is very palatable (often containing milk products or whey) with 20% protein. Free feed as soon as piglets are interested.

• 6 weeks to 3 months: Use an!8% grower ration. Gradually decrease from feeding free choice until each pig is receiving 1 to 1.5 cups per day. It's okay to use this ration up to five months of age. Finding this percentage of protein is difficult, however, and many use a 16% protein ration for this growth stage.

• 3 months and older: Use a 12%-14% maintenance feed at the rate of 2 cups per day.

• Gestation ration: Use a 12-14% maintenance ration at the rate of 2 cups per day. Three weeks before farrowing switch to a 16% farrowing ration and increase the amount by about one-quarter cup per feeding. Since constipation can make farrowing more difficult, J like to add a laxative to the ration a week before the due date.

• Lactation ration: Use a 16% lactation ration for two to three weeks post farrowing, before returning to the 14% maintenance diet. This 16% lactation ration may be hard to locate. 1 mix a swine supplement to my 14% maintenance ration to achieve the lactation requirements. Feed the sow 2 cups with an additional 1 cup for each piglet in the litter per day. This may seem like a Jot of food, but it's nearly impossible to over feed a sow while she's lactating. In fact, she may need more. Increase in feed should occur slowly. Too much food too soon after farrowing can cause the sow to go off feed. Closely monitor the sow's condition in order to correctly adjust her feeding schedule.

©Nancy Shepherd