Depends on what your set up is, and farrowing plans.
We take out sows out about 10 days before for a number of reasons:
1. The piglets grow significantly during this last 10 days, and we double the sows rations to accommodate for this. If you leave with the others she will need to compete for extras.
2. You could leave her with the group providing there are enough arks for her to have hers on her own. It is quite typical for a sow to commandeer an ark, and the others stick away from her whilst she has, but obviously they need their own accommodation. However having dedicated sole occupancy is preferable to avoid misunderstandings, so we separate.
3. If you are using most types of ark, space is very restricted. This gives two potential problems - a) she might more easily lie on her piglets and b) if you need to get in to help out (eg pull a piglet out from under her to stop her sitting on it) you are creating a significant risk for yourself in a small ark - if she suddenly turns nasty (and newbie mums can get stressed and unpredictable by the process) you are in a small space with an unhappy pig and likely to get injured. If you have several arks, sods law is that she will choose the smallest. If you do use arks, if you can separate her, then you can choose which ark. If you get a choice, choose one with a back door - much easier to gently open to help out if need be, and give two entrances and options. If you are going to breed regularly, you can make a back door in a chosen dedicated one if you separate.
4. It is easier to create a separate space for the piglets in a dedicated area (chances are the sow will choose the ark you have not prepared!).
5. You will want her farrowing ark to have a litter board (typically 6 inch high board across the entrance) to stop piglets falling out in first 24-48 hours. Again if she is choosing her ark from several you either need to prepare all, or risk upsetting her whilst you nail one in on the ark she chooses!
6. You can create water nearer mum in a dedicated space - sows drink an amazing amount and if she has to cross a paddock to get water you increase the risk that piglet will follow her out, get lost or fall out, or even a fox take (they can with newborns). Also mums are quite prone to not leave their newborn, so nearby water is a real benefit.
7. New mums tend to go off food or get out of phase in eating, and if in a mixed group you can't leave food for her.
8. Having a dedicated space is a real benefit for us, but will depend on your circumstances - ours is a 8*8ft 7 ft tall -so we can stand, has electricity for lighting (many give birth when it gets or is dark) and heat lamp, some rails in the corner for piglets to get under the lamp, radio, chair and book, near house so coffee is easy !!, medicines at hand (iodine for naval, purple spray etc.), space to intervene safely if needed.
Now before you panic, yes you absolutely can farrow outside in your group and chances are all will be fine - we did so in our early days when gilts (who don't show easily) decided it was time and we had not seen mating, so were guessing dates. We lost piglets, but as we were not there at the birth, never knew quite why, but half round shaped arks probably didn't help.
So the answer is yes and no - but either way you now know some things to prepare, look out for either way!
Good luck
Topic: Yet another Farrowing question (Read 6741 times)
