[Button End Beasts]

Getting nervous now as we have just a little more than a month to go until Flo farrows and this will be our first time    she's on her own now, with Kune friends in a run next to her.


We don't have any electric in our field so can't provide a heat lamp but will it still make sense to modify the ark so piglets can have an escape area? The ark is house shaped, straight sides, pitched roof. Any tips on how best to modify it for piglets?


Also, there's been mention of having oxytocin on hand for the labour. How easy is it to get this and is it really wise for a newbie like myself to have it? I'm thinking it will be better to just call the vet, but then will he be available for sure.


Any other prep tips for a first farrower most welcome. I know there's been lots of useful stuff on here in the past but I can't seem to find the best "search terms to use to find it.


Thanks in advance.


Beki

[Beewyched]

Hi Beki 
I gave some "tips" in response to a post about feeding by Ann and Rob in pigs recently.  But we all have our different ways & you will find what best suits you & your pigs.
I'm assuming Flo's a KK?
Don't worry about a heat lamp this time of year - as long as the housing is dry & draught free.  Don't make the bedding too deep for the first week, it'll help avoid squished babies.  I've never used a creep area, but you could probably rig somethin up in Flo's house as "farrowing bars" along the walls & across the corners - just enough space for a piglet between mum & the walls, though she will probably keep them away from the doorway & more to the inner corners.
If your not sure about the oxytocin, leave it to your vet until you feel more experienced & confident.  You will probably not need it - only if there is an hour of pushing between piglet & following piglet or afterbirth (or incomplete afterbirth).  I've only ever had to use it once on a rather fat rescue sow.
I'm sure Flo will be fine    But I do remember what I was like on our first litter - out day & night every 2 hours, went to pick-up my partner from work & get some shopping on the way home - to find 8 healthy piglets & a very contented mum 
 
 

[Button End Beasts]

Ah thanks Beewyched and I saw your very helpful post to Ann and Rob thanks. Flo is our OSB, we got her as a weaner, always with the intention of breeding, and now after just over a year, the time is nearly here.   

[Fowgill Farm]

  times. Go to the GOS website and under pig management header theres the farrowing article i wrote for the club magazine which you can adapt to your situation,
If you can run a scaffold pole along the back of your ark inside about 8 inches from the wall and about 9 inches high this will the piglets something to escape behind. Just bore hole thro bothe sides of house and thread pole across.
You shouldn't need oxytocin and best to get the vet if there are real difficulties. Hopefully you'll be able to be present when it all kicks off but they do tend to the early evening or early hours of the morning. lol. My personal preference is to get them into a building with light and space but each to their own situation/preference.
   for you & the weather.
all the best mandy

[Button End Beasts]

Thanks for that Mandy, really getting excited now. At the weekend I shall give her a tummy rub and see if I can feel those little ones wriggling around in her