The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: loosey on March 21, 2011, 10:32:09 am
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I took a picture yesterday as they were all out enjoying the sun! She'll let me do whatever I like to her so I've had a good feel around. Her teats are a lot bigger than the other two girls and now that I've convnced myself I have an imminent birth on my hands I'm sure they're sticking out a bit more too (diagonally rather than pointing downwards). I personally think she looks like she's "bagging up" (encuse horsey terms!). Her tummy is very low compared to the othet two girls.
I know that in horses I would be looking for Muscles on bottom to slacken, udder to drop, for her to start waxing up on her teats and a rise in temperature as well as a potential discharge. Other than checking her for signs of milk and a swollen vulva, are there any more signs?
Also can somebody please let me know what the best lubricant is to have on hand? (am sending my OH to buy it ... ha!)
I have spoken to the vet about provising me with some oxytocin (sp?). Also, the girls are due to be wormed by injection att he end of the month ... should I do daisy or would it be bad for potential babies?
I bet after all the panic she's just fat! ::) ;D
Here she is!
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n317/looseyb-22/188424_10150217838884128_654469127_9200379_6933930_n.jpg)
Having a rest!
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n317/looseyb-22/189107_10150217837029128_654469127_9200342_7598696_n.jpg)
One of Tulip looking happy
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n317/looseyb-22/196825_10150217842634128_654469127_9200425_1296292_n.jpg)
And"Bacon"! :o
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n317/looseyb-22/197905_10150217837439128_654469127_9200350_4316911_n.jpg)
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Looking at the photo i wouldn't say she was imminent, stand behind her and look thro her back legs when you see the belly drop here its a sign she's on her way, her tummy does look rounded but her udder isn't bagged at all from what i can see.
I think Lillian gave you a possible date of this coming weekend, bear in mind they can be anything upto 4 - 7 days late depending when they were served (ours girls are always 4 days late!) so you might not see anything for a few days yet it usually about a week to 10 days before.
Lubricant you do not need but you must have very clean hands washed with soap and hot water and dryed. DO NOT use soap like you see on the vet programs as a lubricant as its an irritant. DO NOT intervene with the birth unless you have to for example if shes been pushing and straining for 45 mins and nothing is happening. Oxytocin should also only be used as a last resort after checking there is no blocker & to bring on dispelling of the afterbirth or to speed up contractions if the birth is being long and arduous but then i would expect you to take advice from the vet on this. (put him on your speed dail!)
You can worm her it won't do any harm but sooner rather than later. We normally do ours a week before anyway.
She looks well happy as do your other pigs. Fingers crosssed for you. HTH
Best regards
Mandy :pig:
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Hi,
Look for frantic "nest Building" our saddlebacks do this 24 hours before farrowing.
Also try to milk her - if she has milk then you are within 48 hours.
Thanks
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is that GRASS in your pig enclosure.... how did that happen! ;D
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I reckon you've got some breathing space - like Fowgill said, look for the udder to drop from behind is the surest sign for me, and a tightening of the udders. I had the exact same fears that Pepper was just fat, we're expecting her to explode any day soon. Probably with a single knowing my luck!!!
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Thank you all! I have been trying to "milk her" twice a day since Friday morning ... nothing as yet!
Craig ... they only moved in last Sunday ... they've done a good job in a week! I tried telling them that they're in there for the next 3 months but they took no notice!
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Don't bug her too much! When she's ready, she's ready. Trust me you'll know!
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Don't worry captain ... all hell breaks loose if she doesn't get her morning belly rub when she throws herself on the ground, she quite happy to be groped!! ::) ;D
I've told the horses that they'll be getting turfed out as soon as she shows any signs ... Bella's stable is her maternity ward!
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I was convinced my large black X was imminent too when she looked like this with her first litter - in gact I was a whole season (three weeks) out - the teats bags up individually like lots of little boobs before - I could milk Ruby while her teats were like this but it was still a while before teats 'bagged up' and then has been said she made a huge nest and had them a few hours later. x
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My Tamworth gilt had milk for 5 days before she dropped her first litter, I got her into the stable on the Tuesday and waited and waited by the time Sunday came around she looked throughly bored at not being able to go out. I almost let her out in the field for the morning while we took the donkeys up to the church for the Palm sunday service ( Don't ask!!) but when we got back she had had them!
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My poor Ruby was in three weeks looking at me soft! I kept letting her out in the yard as it was August - the poor poor girl!! She ahd them in september!! :-/ Doh x
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My Tamworth gilt had milk for 5 days before she dropped her first litter, I got her into the stable on the Tuesday and waited and waited by the time Sunday came around she looked throughly bored at not being able to go out. I almost let her out in the field for the morning while we took the donkeys up to the church for the Palm sunday service ( Don't ask!!) but when we got back she had had them!
6 days in a stable, waiting with your pig - now that is dedication to pig keeping everyone has to admire!
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for her to start waxing up on her teats
Pardon my ignorance, but what does that mean? ???
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When horses are close to foaling their udders will produce a thick waxy discharge just before their milk. I wasn't sure if it might not be the same with pigs though. Would feel a lot more confident if she was a horse!! :)
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Oh goodness, looking at your piggie i think mine is ready to drop!!! she has udders, trouble is she was pregnant when we got her, and they couldn't give me an exact day she is due, could be the end of the month or could be mid april, when shall i get her in? or shall i leave her till she starts building her nest and then get her in? Also will they need a heat lamp or is the weather now warm enough for them?
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personally, becuase I'm a bit of a wuss, I'll have a heat lamp rigged up just in case. Rather that than having to run around rigging one up if something goes wrong!
How baggy is she looking from behind? Swollen vulva?
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Agree with Captain, can get some nasty surprise weather at this time of year. We tend to put a lamp on at nite and switch off during day.
If she has an udder i would move her in as its likely she'll farrow in a day or two, keep checking for milk, once thats in birth is usually imminent, she will probaly start to build a nest of straw too. Keep checking her as often as you can and in the meantime get your farrowing kit gathered together.
See GOS forum - "Getting Started" - 'Farrowing'if need abit more info.
HTH
Mandy :pig:
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I will try and get her picture of her tomorrow when i get in from work and put it on here, we have only have her about 13 days, so don't know how she will react to me checking her teats, but i will have a go.
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stick her head in a bucket of nuts (er, sow nuts before anyones gets the wrong idea). I think you could amputate one of my girl's legs if she had grub in front of her!!!
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Maybe I have a bit of breathing space then! I still groping her every few hours ... she thinks it's wonderful!! She also had 2 vanilla scones yesterday because I am a soft touch (OH not happy!)
I can see her udder from behind (through her legs) but only if I bend down very low ... no signs of any milk at all. Have started taking a daily picture so I can judge any changes a bit better! Aaarrgghh!!
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Nails, "we have only have her about 13 days, so don't know how she will react to me checking her teats, but i will have a go. " if she was that close to giving birth she should not have been allowed to move >:(
Moving a heavily pregnant gilt particularly, sow not as bad is extremely stressful, how would you like to give birth in a strange place with people you didn't know. I would very much like to come and give the people who let you take her a jolly good slap >:(
First things first, spend as much time with her as you possibly can, just sitting with her, scratching her nose, rubbing her belly and generally making a fuss otherwise she will not let you near her at farrowing time, make sure you wear the same coat so she smells the same smell everytime you go in with her. Unless she is an extremely laid back pig who has farrowed before you may find yourelf in for a difficult time. i don't want to upset or scare you but you may find she will try to eat her piglets especially if she's a gilt, its a predator/protection thing, you may also find she's a 'bad' mum, won't settle to feed etc. if this happens you will need a Stresnil jab from the vet to calm her down. You may very well be ok but best be prepared.
I hope all goes well for you and fingers crossed for a safe, straightforward delivery. HTh Mandy :pig:
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She has had piglets before, and the lady said she was a good mum, we are new to pig keeping, so all the advice is greatfully recieved, she seems to have settled well and does come to us when we call her or go in her pen. she will let us pet her and give her a scratch, but we are still getting to know her as much as she is getting to know us. i will keep in mind what you have said and hope for a safe arrival of piglets in the not to distant future.