[alfiepork]

As my first post, we are newbies and living in Bulgaria but could do with some advice over our pregnant sow.

This is her second litter with us but we are still learning, but this time things are different.  She was taken to the boar on 17th October 2009, so no matter how many times I count - today is 119 days.  Yesterday a local pig breeder came down and tried to get some milk from the teats but there was nothing.  He explained that this normally comes about 2-3 hours before giving birth.  This morning there is still no milk.  Yesterday she laid down all day and would not get up, refusing food, despite trying to help her get up, all she did was get really really angry.  Then this morning she is up on her own and feeding but still really angry trying to smash her pen and stamping her back legs like about to charge. 

There is a vet coming to inject a neighbours piglets this morning so he is coming to ours, even though we are learning Bulgarian you can imagine, things can lost in translation and misunderstood on both sides. 
What would cause her to be like this?
Is this normal behaviour? (last time - her waters broke and with an hour she had her first baby)
Should we be worried and what can we do to help her?

We rescued her already pregnant last time so no idea as to her age, this is already planned as her second and last litter with us, she is currently about 250kg so not the largest pig. 

Any advice please

[JulieS]

Hello and welcome 

I'm not an expert in pigs, but I've looked in my 'book of words' and the gestation table and if she went with the boar on 17th October, she would have been due on 9th October.  Was she in season when she went with the boar?  That could have something to do with the delay.

The average gestation is 116 days, but can differ a few days either way....but the change in behaviour could/might (or might not) be a sign of something not quite right.

I know one of my sows changes personality drastically when she is about to farrow!.  They all behave in different ways.  The milk coming in is usually a sign something will happen in the next 12 hours, but then again one of mine didn't have any milk come in until after she'd given birth to all 12 of hers.

So I've been absolutely no help at all I expect!!!  Keep an eye on her and as the vet is going to be about it would be worth him checking her over.

Others on here will be able to let you know what they think.

Let us know how you get on.

[alfiepork]

Thanks Julie
Vet said ring him tomorrow if nothing happens today - we just hate waiting. just in case there is a problem and we are sat doing nothing. 

[JulieS]

I know exactly how you feel.

I bought 2 in pig gilts last November.  The breeder said one was due on 5th Feb, the other 12th Feb.  The one he said was  due on 5th still hasn't had her piglets!  It turns out that he got them muddled up and this one was due 12th and the other it now appears probably isn't in pig (having said that some don't show up until the last moment!)

The arrival of piglets is an exciting time....but also tinged with worry until they have all arrived safely.

(Mine has got milk this morning, so hopefully will have piglets by the end of the day!)

[alfiepork]

We got milk coming out of the nipple!!!!!! does this mean that we can finally stop worrying - I hope so

[gavo]

Was the milk easily expressed ? Was there lots or just a trickle? It can be anything from a few hours; up to 48 from the onset of milk before farrowing.Has the sow got plenty of room? Has she got plenty of bedding material to choose from and make her nest? Sorry lots of questions; but generally a sow who has all she needs will generally settle ok and do all that is necessary on her own.It is not uncommon for a sow to get grumpy; the end stage of a pregnancy is damned uncomfortable for any female.Also some loss of appetite is also common so long as she is drinking i wouldn't worry too much perhaps feed some of her favourite foods [if she has any] sweet fruits usually work to tempt the appetite.has she shown signs of making a nest a sure way of knowing things wont be long?

[alfiepork]

It was just a little milk as we don't want to distress her by being in there any longer than necessary.  She has got enough bedding. heat lamp and creep area with lamp for babies.  She has got up today and eaten a little but yesterday wouldn't even eat an apple. What is more worrying is the length of time - we have been waiting for this since last Sunday and now, like I said earlier it is 119 days.  I have read that recently pig gestation is getting longer.  I have checked, double checked and tripled checked the date so know it is not wrong.  We will keep you updated

[Hilarysmum]

Hilary once kept us waiting for 10 days.  Hilary gets more and more irritable as she approaches the birth.  She finally made a nests for herself outside and too near the stream for comfort.  Gave birth to 15.  We had the devil's own job moving them out of danger and back to the ark. 

[alfiepork]

Wow 15 - that is a huge litter -well done hilary- did they all survive. 

Last litter we had 9 but 2 still born and one with back legs that didn't work properly.
The one with bad legs was fine and got around really well until we got snow and then we made the decision as always agreed he could have a chance until he struggled. He was noisiest of the bunch and always made to to the food first, fighting his corner.   He finally made about 50 kg.

We already have 8 provisional orders on this bunch and need to keep a female for ourselves.  Fingers crossed she keeps well.  Last check - nothing - mum sleeping peacefully

[Pentre1230]

Firstly re check your dates, was she served just once on that date or more than once until she went off? We use natural service and AI, on the natural the sows are mated twice a day for two days.120 days is really the max they can go, you may get one going over that but it is rare. If she starts showing signs of distress ie: trying to farrow/pushing/ pain etc for a long period and nothing happening, unless your expierenced with pigs call you vet, he should examine her and may well give her a shot of Oxytocin to get her going. You will get lots of advice on here some good, some rubbish. She's your sow so you should know her farrowing pattern, if it is following the same pattern as last time all should be well, 99% of the time sows follow the same pattern when they farrow, if they dont, then normally there is something wrong. When she starts farrowing you really dont want a long protracted job, if you are waiting for more than 3/4 hour to a hour for the next piglet to come then chances are there is a problem, two coming at once, still born, mumified backwards etc, thats where Oxytocin is very good as it will get the sow going, however do not give it until you are sure there is nothing stopping the piglets coming out. If in doubt get your vet out..

Hope all goes well. We farrow hundreds of sows every year and I am still learning!! Good luck.....

Ps. Forgot to say a sow/gilts temperature drops a half to a full degree before they are due to farrow, thats always a good indication of whats hapening.



     

[Hilarysmum]

Wow 15 - that is a huge litter -well done hilary- did they all survive. 

We lost the runt despite our best efforts.  The rest went on mostly to the freezer, I believe there are still 2 of the original litter still around.

[alfiepork]

Vet came and did internal examination.  He pulled one dead piglet out and said everything inside was normal, straight etc.  He injected something to bring on labour, second baby delivered was also dead, that was 09:15 GMT+2.  We are still waiting but things don't look good.  Sad day....

[jameslindsay]

That's a shame, fingers crossed that you get some healythy piglets.

[Hilarysmum]

Hopefully by now some good news ?  Have fingers and toes crossed for you.

[JulieS]

I hope after those that things went better....Let us know your news.