CATDOLL : Signs that sows are about to farrow: Key signs to identify when farrowing is imminent

In the pig farming industry, the sow's delivery process is a key link. It is of great significance for pig farmers to accurately judge whether the sow is about to give birth. Timely understanding of the sow's delivery status can not only reduce the risk during delivery, but also improve the survival rate of sows and piglets. So, what are the obvious signs when a sow is about to give birth? This article will introduce you to the relevant signals and judgment skills of sow delivery in detail.

1. Physical changes of sows

When a sow is about to give birth, some changes will occur in its body, mainly including:

• Abdominal changes: The sow's abdomen will gradually bulge and sink significantly. This is because the weight of the fetus increases, the fetal activity decreases, and the shape of the sow's abdomen changes significantly.
• Mammary gland development: In the period before giving birth, the sow's mammary glands will begin to develop significantly, the color of the nipples will become brighter, and the breasts will become fuller. This is a reflection of changes in hormone levels in the animal.
• Behavioral changes: Sows may show anxiety and irritability when they are about to give birth, lie down frequently, get up frequently, and even gnaw more frequently. This behavioral change usually occurs 24 hours before giving birth.

2. Observe the sow’s body temperature

Monitoring the body temperature of sows is one of the important bases for judging delivery. Generally speaking, the normal body temperature of sows is between 38.5℃ and 39.5℃. When the sow is about to give birth, the body temperature will show the following conditions:

• Body temperature drops: The sow's body temperature will drop briefly before farrowing, usually by between 0.5°C and 1°C. This usually occurs 24 to 48 hours before farrowing.
• Timely records: It is recommended that farmers record the sow's body temperature regularly to observe its changes and determine the best time for delivery.

3. Rapidly changing physiological signals

When the sow is about to give birth, the changes in physiological signals are also very obvious, mainly including:

• Vaginal discharge: Sows will have liquid secretions before giving birth. Under normal circumstances, this secretion is transparent or light yellow and may be a small amount of mucus or watery liquid.
• Vulva relaxation: The sow's vulva will gradually relax and may swell slightly, and the diameter of the vagina will also increase to facilitate the smooth birth of piglets.
• Uterine contraction performance: As the sow approaches delivery, the sow's belly begins to contract regularly, and you can even feel the changes in these contractions with your hands. This is an important signal that delivery is about to begin.

4. Take care of the sow’s diet and environment

To ensure the health and smooth delivery of sows, farmers should pay special attention to the diet and living environment of sows during the delivery period:

• Reasonable nutrition: One week before farrowing, provide sows with high-quality feed and add enough water so that they can get the energy and nutrition they need.
• Comfortable environment: Ensure that the environment in which the sow lives is dry and clean, maintain a suitable temperature, and avoid external noise and fright, so as not to affect the sow's quiet mentality.
• Regular inspections: Before farrowing, regularly observe the sow’s behavior and physical condition to ensure that any abnormalities are detected and intervened in time.

5. How to prepare the facilities for delivery

Preparing reasonable delivery facilities in advance also pays attention to the smooth progress of delivery:

• Preparation of farrowing box: Prepare a comfortable and clean farrowing box for the sow to ensure the safety of the piglets after birth and the peace of mind of the sow.
• Necessary tools: You can prepare some necessary delivery aids, such as disinfectants, gloves, scrapers, etc., in case of emergency.

In summary, sows will have some unique physical changes and behavioral manifestations when they are about to give birth. By observing the sow's body temperature, behavior, diet and environment, it is possible to effectively judge the proximity of birth. For pig farmers, timely and accurate judgment not only helps the health of sows and piglets, but also reduces breeding costs.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope that this information can help you better master the relevant knowledge of sow production in breeding practice and improve breeding efficiency. If you have more questions, welcome to discuss!