Title: Pig Farrowing
Headings: 
PIG FARROWING
Content: It goes with out saying that stress and strain should be avoided at this time as this can lead to abortion. Cold draughty housing, too hot housing, damp housing, hilly land, steps, sudden noise (particularly around Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year time where fireworks are popular), or being transported very close to the birth (those wishing to purchase sows in pig should be mindful of this). This is the time when you should be treating the sow for external parasites and therefore worming her a week before she gives birth to avoid placenta crossover of womb infestation. It is also a good idea to vaccinate against Erysipelas three weeks before farrowing and if the mother has never been vaccinated before she will need one injection six weeks prior to farrowing and a booster three weeks later. I bring my girls in for farrowing this is because I can be on hand at the birth should I be needed. It is also safer for the piglets when they enter into the world, as they are so at risk with predators such as the fox, magpies, crows and buzzards. Getting lost which will result in freezing to death as they are like to roam when they are up on their feet, which is just a matter of seconds! Pigs that are kept in the traditional way will show signs of making a nest by carrying straw about or pushing it around their chosen spot within their pen in preparation for the birth. The farrowing pen should be cleaned and disinfected at least a week before the sow is brought in. With a little bedding not too much as piglets so often like to burrow in the straw and can get lost, trampled by the mother or at worse suffocate.