What Are the Signs That a Sow Is About to Farrow? A Guide to Common Signs of Impending Farrowing
AbstractBefore a sow farrows, a boundary gradually appears between the base of the udder and the abdomen, and the pelvic ligaments gradually soften. About 3 days before farrowing, the teats gradually spread outward, the skin becomes tense and red, a little clear fluid can be squeezed from the middle two pairs of teats, and the sow's vulva gradually swells and begins to redden. About 12 hours before farrowing, the frequency of urination increases, the volume of urine gradually decreases, the sow frequently lies down and gets up, her temperament is very restless, and her appetite gradually declines, even to the point of no appetite.
I. Signs Before a Sow Farrows
1. Changes in the udder and teats
(1) About 15-20 days before farrowing, a boundary gradually appears between the base of the udder and the abdomen, and as the expected farrowing date approaches, the udder begins to swell and droop.
(2) About 3 days before farrowing, the teats gradually spread outward. If the teats on both sides feel strongly swollen, the teats are arranged in an A shape and look shiny, the skin is tense and red, and occasionally a small amount of bedding straw sticks to them, this means the sow is about to give birth.
2. Changes in the milk in the teats
(1) About 3 days before farrowing, a little clear fluid can be squeezed from the middle two pairs of teats, and about 1 day before farrowing, a few drops of white colostrum can be squeezed out.
(2) A few hours before farrowing, a few drops of white colostrum can be squeezed from the front teats, and when thick colostrum can be squeezed from the last pair of teats, this means the sow is about to give birth.
3. Changes in the vulva
About 3-5 days before farrowing, the sow's vulva gradually swells and begins to redden. A few hours before farrowing, most sows will discharge mucus; when the sow lies on her side, her tail begins to swing, and the anus gradually strains, most sows will discharge a small amount of red fetal fluid, which means the sow is about to give birth.
4. Changes in the pelvic area
About 7-14 days before farrowing, the pelvic ligaments gradually soften, and by 12-36 hours before farrowing, the rear edge of the ligaments begins to become very soft and loose, the outline gradually disappears until the area near the tail base becomes soft, and the tail base eventually sinks in, which means the sow is about to give birth.
5. Frequent defecation and urination
About 6-12 hours before farrowing, the sow passes soft feces in a flat cake shape, and the frequency of urination increases. As farrowing approaches, the feces go from large to small, the frequency of urination gradually increases, and the volume of urine gradually decreases.
6. Mental state
About 12 hours before farrowing, the sow's mental state is poor, for example frequently getting up and lying down and being very restless, which means she is about to give birth.
7. Appetite
About 12 hours before farrowing, the sow's appetite gradually declines, even to the point of no appetite, which means she is about to give birth.
II. Preparatory Work Before Farrowing
1. Farrowing room
(1) The farrowing room environment for the sow needs to be dry, clean, well ventilated, well lit and warm; the relative air humidity should not exceed 65%, and the suitable temperature is around 18-23°C.
(2) If the temperature is low in winter, the pig house needs heating equipment and a piglet warming box installed, so as to ensure the piglets' survival rate.
2. Tools
(1) Prepare the birthing tools in advance, such as rags, gauze, scissors, a lamp and disinfectants.
(2) The person assisting the birth should change into clean, tidy clothes, cut their nails short, wash their hands thoroughly with soap, and it is best to disinfect them with disinfectant solution.