Your gilt or sow’s farrowing is always a miraculous time. It can also be a worrisome time if you’re new to pigs! We were once new to all of this too, but thankfully have had some great mentors and we are constantly learning and adding to our knowledge base.
A piglet just seconds after birth. Note the deciduous hoove capsules (Eponychium), they are a rubbery texture that protect the sow from being injured by sharp hooves, during birth. They fall off within several minutes.
We keep the following items on hand just in case they’re needed. And our vet’s emergency number is always handy! We rarely need to use all of these things- in fact, most farrowings use the puppy pee pads, towels, bulb syringe, scissors and iodine only. As well as milk and electrolytes for the sow.
Prior to farrowing, our gilts & sows have been vaccinated with Rhinishield TX4 (5cc at 5 weeks before farrowing and a second booster of 5cc at 2 weeks prior), and wormed with Dectomax (intramuscular injection) OR Ivomec (subcutaneous injection). We carefully monitor their diet for the last few weeks, to ensure they are not overfed, which can result in large piglets that can potentially become stuck.
Our farrowing kit usually includes:
– puppy training pads to soak up birthing fluids
– white flour sack towels to dry off piglets
– a large towel/blanket or two
– clean bulb syringe
– nitrile gloves
– lubricant
– iodine/betadine
– vet wrap to wrap your sow’s tail if you wish to keep it clean (farrowing can get pretty messy!)
– Hoof trimmers (Use your sow’s down time to give them a little pedicure!)
– small scissors to cut umbilical cords
– a basket or tote to place piglets in if necessary
– beer (Can be used for calming a sow but it can go either way- not always the desired result)
– melatonin (Can be more effective than a beer to calm a sow, great trick learned from Bill Garlough/Ohio Valley Kunekunes)
– Oxytocin + (syringes, needles and alcohol prep pads)
– Calcium Gluconate injectable, if labor is progressing slowly
– Meloxicam or Banamine (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, given to sow if pain or swelling presents)
– electrolytes for sow ( Manna Pro Bounce Back)
– Karo syrup (rub on sow’s gums to keep energy up)
– Milk or dairy (given to sow for a few days before/after)
– Penicillin
– trash bags or pail to dispose of trash and/or afterbirth
– powdered colostrum
– goats milk (in case of milk issues)
– Piglets receive the following shots in their first week of life: Ferrodex 100 injectable iron (Day 3) & RespiSure 1 ONE for Swine (Day 7)
Last but not least, you should have a plan for humane euthanasia, in case you have any piglets born that are deformed, or with birth defects that will prevent them from having quality of life.
Corva Bella Farm 