Sow about to farrow

velacreations · #1 05/13/11, 10:44 AM

I've got 2 pregnant sows. One is due this week, and the other is due in 2-3
weeks.

The first sow, Wanda, is starting to show signs, like big milk ridges, swelling
vulva, belly dropping a bit.

Should I separate her out, or just keep them together? They share a pen, but
have individual houses, and then a share large pasture. I expect that she will
farrow in the pen, and I've been giving them a lot of bedding and straw.

I had hoped to just keep them together, or if anything, just separate the other
sow while Wanda is farrowing (just to keep her out of the way). If she farrows
in her house, no big deal, but if she decides to farrow out in the pen or even
in the pastured, I worry than the other sows might bother her.

I know quite a few people that don't really do anything, and let them sort it
out themselves.

Any advice?

HeritagePigs · #2 05/13/11, 10:48 AM

There is always a higher possibility of piglets being injured or laid on when two sows are together. Also the piglets may start suckling on the other sow before she farrows or may outcompete the smaller piglets when they show up.

velacreations · #3 05/13/11, 10:58 AM

hmmm, I didn't think about competition.... that might be a good point.

how long should I keep the sows separated?

velacreations · #4 05/13/11, 11:00 AM

I also think separating the sows may stress things a bit since these girls have been together for at least 6 months, and probably since weaning.

BUT, if keeping them together causes an issue for the piglets, maybe the stress of separation is a necessary evil.

chicamarun · #5 05/13/11, 12:22 PM

I just had 1 give birth with a full field of sows. The girl who gave birth found her own spot where the other ones can't really get to her - but it's a big field - so the size of the shared area might make a difference. My other sows slept around her - but didn't go too near her

velacreations · #6 05/13/11, 12:27 PM

yeah, they have a big pasture, but I expect that she'll farrow in the pen, and hopefully, in one of the individual houses.

The pen is not that big, but they are not confined to that space. If she farrows in a house, I doubt there will be a problem, because the other sow won't be able to go in there. But, if she farrows out in the pen, then she is a bit more exposed.

I am really at a loss at what to do, mainly because she is due in 5 days, and I don't have anything set up to separate them at all (single feeders, single water, single pasture access).

I think I'll just watch it closely, and if anything, I can confine the sow to the pen when she farrows, and keep the other one in the pasture for the first few days.

DWH Farm · #7 05/13/11, 12:38 PM

I would separate them. As mentioned, more of a chance of getting stepped on. The mom is going to be more careful of her babies but another sow probably won’t.. Also if they farrow close to the same time they will likely compete for milk (also mentioned) and when we have had this happen it seems that 1 sow ends up feeding most or all of the piglets. Just our personal experience here; have done it both ways but we now separate all of the moms before farrowing. They do share a fence line with the other sows so it's not that stressful for them. Also as far as separating afterward keep in mind that if they are going to get stepped on or laid on it is more likely that will happen in the first hours after birth when the babies are not coordinated or cognizant enough to get out of the way. Good luck with your pigs whatever you decide!

velacreations · #8 05/13/11, 05:13 PM

I'll see what I can do, it'll take some work getting 2 water systems going over there....

velacreations · #9 05/13/11, 05:18 PM

how long do you keep your separated?

linn · #10 05/13/11, 07:02 PM

I would pen her until she has her pigs. Not only might the pigs get injured if the other sow interferes with the mother, coyotes and foxes love new pigs.

HeritagePigs · #11 05/13/11, 08:29 PM

I also have to say to be careful letting the piglets run with larger hogs. When feeding time comes the hogs will not be careful; they will step all over the piglets. I've had two piglets have broken legs after being stepped on in the feeding frenzy; never again.

My sows usually farrow on pasture and I move them to individual pens the first day (on pasture but circled with electric). I feed the herd away from the sows; feed and water the sows in their pens. It's more work this way but once you have an injured piglet you may see why it makes sense.

velacreations · #12 05/13/11, 08:46 PM

I only have the 2 sows, and feeding time is very calm, so I don't think I'll have to worry about that.

How long would you keep them separated? I was thinking a week or so, or until the little ones can move around enough to stay out of the way of the other sow.

HeritagePigs · #13 05/13/11, 08:56 PM

A week is fine but you may still have the problem of the larger litter fighting the other for teats. Colostrum is only produced for a day or so and the newborn piglets need it, If the older piglets are around they may prevent the new ones from feeding.

Also, the first litter born may begin suckling from the other sow as she is getting ready to farrow. I don't know what effect this might have on her production of colostrum.

I gotta tell ya, a sow being pestered by twenty piglets is not a pretty sight...

Been there, done that, won't do it again.

velacreations · #14 05/13/11, 09:28 PM

yeah, I can imagine.

I'll have to watch it and see, maybe keep them separated for longer. It's a bit difficult, because I want to give them access to pasture, but I can't really have a pasture per sow in my current setup. Just keeping them separated for a week might be kinda tricky.

I'll see what I can do. I might just keep the other sow in the pasture until she gets ready to farrow, and then switch them, with the older babies and sow going out in the pasture, and the other sow farrows in the pen. Once her pigs are bigger, I could try running them together and see how it goes....

I really need to get on it tomorrow, and get a water system figured out...

matt_man · #15 05/13/11, 10:11 PM

Our sows just farrowed over the weekend and they are all together still. 3 large mature sows and a young 200lbs gilt. We always remove the boar before farrowing but never have separated the sows. They usually each find their own little place to nest and haven't had a problem.

velacreations · #16 05/15/11, 09:03 PM

I still have them together, but I got things set up to separate. Wanda is looking close, I milked just a drop of milk out of her today, still no discharge or a lot of swelling, so I think she's at least 2-3 days off, yet.

linn · #17 05/16/11, 09:02 AM

If your sow has got milk she is very close. I wouldn't wait to separate her. DH says twelve hours is usually the time span after a sow is in milk.

DWH Farm · #18 05/16/11, 12:37 PM

We start checking for milk in the last couple of weeks. Our sows have always farrowed 12-24 hours after we are able to express milk, so should be soon!

Rogo · #19 05/16/11, 04:54 PM

=== feeding time is very calm ===

It is here, also. Hay is available 24/7 so I'm not bothered when I serve up other things.

HeritagePigs · #20 05/16/11, 06:14 PM

Feeding time here is one big competition. They love the pasture but those tasty feed bits just drive them wild. But my herds are larger than most.