<%@LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.3"%> Swine Production Management - Farrowing - Setting Up the Farrowing House
   

Setting Up the Farrowing House

 

 

PRE-ENTRY OF SOWS

1

Ensure pressure washing protocols are adhered to

2

Ensure sow's water supply is at 2 litres per minute and the piglet's water supply is at 300 mls per minute.  Ensure no water/feed trough is leaking

24 HOURS PRE-FARROWING

1

Switch on light by creep area

2

Ensure any bedding required is situated in the farrowing pen

3

Place light (off) by rear of sow

4

Ensure that all feces are removed from behind the sow.  It will be necessary to manually remove all of the sow?s feces for the next 3-4 days

FARROWING

1

Record the time of the first observation of the morning

2

Switch on light by rear of sow.  Spread bedding in creep area

3

Observe the sows every 30 minutes for signs or progression of farrowing

4

Following the birth of the first piglet, record events which happen within each 30 minute interval

5

If no piglet for 30 minutes inject sow with 5 IU oxytocin (0.5 ml 16g 11/2" needle intramuscular in the neck).   Record medicine use

6

Recheck sow after 15 minutes

7

If no piglet prepare for an internal examination

8

Wash hands

9

Clean vulval lips of sow

10

Put on arm length gloves

11

Place a large amount of lubricant into palm of hand and over forearm

12

Carefully introduce hand into sow

13

Remove all piglets which can be easily reached

14

Inject sow with 5 IU oxytocin

15

Inject sow with a suitable antimicrobial agent

16

Record drug usage - note withdrawal times

17

Ensure all weak piglets are dried as soon as possible and warmed

18

Administer colostrum to all weak piglets

19

Delay piglet processing (teeth clipping, castrating, tattooing and tail docking) until all sows farrowing that day have finished