Farrowing Process in Pigs: A Step-by-Step Guide for Farmers
Understanding the normal farrowing process in pigs helps you know exactly when to step back and when to step in.
- The first pig is born
- About half the pigs present head first, and half present tail first.
- The sow may exhibit mild straining
- More pigs are born approximately 15 minutes apart
- The total time for the delivery of the entire litter varies with litter size but the process usually takes less than 2.5 hours.
- The sow usually expels the placenta 2-4 hours after the last pig is born; however, she may deliver some placenta earlier, during the farrowing period itself.
- You should not observe large volumes of discharge
Our Pig Farming Course covers this and many more topics every pig farmer should know: Pig Farming Course
Our Pig Herd Management System will provide all the information required to run a profitable piggery, such as best and worst sows: Pig Herd Management System
While the normal farrowing process usually goes smoothly, watch for these warning signs:
Signs of a difficult farrowing
- Gestation exceeding 116 days
- Lack of appetite
- The sow discharges blood-tinged fluid and meconium without straining
- Meconium is a thick, green, tar-like substance that lines a piglet’s intestines before birth. Piglets typically don’t pass it until after birth, but in some cases a piglet releases meconium into the amniotic fluid before delivery.
- Straining without delivery of pigs
- The time between the birth of pigs exceeds one hour, and the sow still has a full abdomen
- Foul-smelling, brown /gray discharge
- Reddening of the sow’s eyes
- Exhaustion after a prolonged labor
- Sow distress: rapid breathing, weakness, inability to rise
How to examine the birth canal
***When the time between the birth of pigs exceeds one hour, intervention by the manager is necessary.
***Intervention must be gentle. The birth canal’s tissues bruise and tear easily. Damage can lead to swelling, hemorrhage, and death of the sow and litter. Excessive damage can also negate the option of the use of cesarean section as a treatment.
- Familiarize yourself with the basic anatomy of the reproductive tract
- Thoroughly clean the sow’s rectal and vaginal area
- Cut your fingernails short before starting.
- Wash your arm with soap and water, put on a glove, and apply KY Jelly/Lubrivet.
- Cup your hand in the shape of a cone, part the lips of the vulva, and gently insert your hand into the birth canal.
- If the sow is not ready to farrow, the forward part of the canal stays closed.
- You can feel the bony pelvis below and at the side of your hand.
- Move your hand forward through the pelvis and into the uterus, which slopes downward and divides into two sides.
- Examine the birth canal for evidence of damage (tears, bruises)
- Determine the cause of delayed farrowing and correct it if possible
Types of farrowing problems and methods of assistance
***Never use oxytocin before determining the cause of the problem
As a result, intervention by the manager becomes necessary.
| Type of problem | Method of assistance |
| Uterine inertia (the uterus is unable to contract) | Manual intervention: be certain that the sow is dilated and nothing is blocking the birth canalDeliver any pigs within reach- grasp the pig by the snout or use a snareAdminister oxytocinGet the sow upCool the sow with a mister or fanCall veterinarian if farrowing does not occur |
| Improper presentation of pig | |
| Breech | Manual intervention: Hook your index finger under the hock of each hind leg. Extend the legs caudally or use a snare. |
| Two piglets simultaneously | Manual intervention: Grasp head, lower jaw, or feet to deliver one pig at a time |
| Pig upside down | Manual intervention: Grasp head, lower jaw, or feet |
| Canal obstruction | |
| Hymen constriction in gilt (first pig not delivered) | Manual dilation or severing with scissors |
| Vaginal or cervical prolapse | Call veterinarian |
| Pelvis too small | Call veterinarian |
| Constipation | Manually remove fecesGive enema of warm, soapy water |
| Full Bladder | Get sow to stand up and force exerciseGive oxytocinRarely the veterinarian will have to catheterize the bladder |
| Deviation of the uterus | |
| Partial uterine torsion | Call veterinarian |
| S-shaped deviation | Manual intervention |
| Pig is too large | Call veterinarian |
| Sow hysteria | Give tranquilizer as prescribed by a veterinarianGive oxytocinRemove pigs until the sow is quiet and finished farrowing |
| Retained placenta/ blood or pus discharge | Rare- usually indicates that one or more pigs are still present in the reproductive tract- Call veterinarian |
| Vaginal, uterine or bladder prolapse | Call veterinarian |
| Hemorrhage | Call veterinarian |
Assisted Farrowing
Understanding each stage of the farrowing process helps you know when to intervene and when to let nature take its course.