Start 3 days before expected farrowing date.
Inject 6cc Progesterone (25mg/ml) daily intramuscularly. 1½ins 16-gauge needle for small sows (less than 180kg). For larger sows 8cc.
Do not extend farrowing greater than 2 days beyond expected farrowing date.
Planate Oxytocin regime (see below) can then be used to induce farrowing. 24hrs after last Progesterone injection.
The earlier pigs are born with Planate the higher their subsequent mortality. Also sows induced greater than 2 days before expected farrowing will have lower levels of colostrum. Hence do not induce sows greater than 2 days before expected farrowing date. Since Planate takes 24 hours to work the day of injection is farrowing date 3. Check sow to see her normal days pregnant as some sows farrow either early or late.
Use 2cc Planate intramuscularly 1½ins 18-gauge needle.
Inject 24 hours before expected farrowing date.
If hysterectomies are arriving at lunch time then induce about 10.00 the previous day.
Sows that have not commenced farrowing by 8.30 on the hysterectomy date and have been induced should be injected with 10 mg Oxytocin. (1½ins 18-gauge needle).
Foster pigs off sows as they farrow. If short of sows, box up sows natural piglets and give then artificial colostrum and once all pigs are born give them one suckle of sow.
Foster pigs must always have priority. When foster pigs arrive do not over fuss them. Put shredded paper in the pen and extra lights. Ensure sow has not suckled in last hour and just leave the piglets to get on with it.
Should fostered off piglets have limited colostrum (less than 3 observed suckles) or have to be split suckled they should receive routine broad spectrum antibiotics
Leave Iron, Tailing and Tattooing until litters are 2 3 days old.
HYSTO KIT 4 Hystos)
PENTOBARB
SCRUBBING BRUSH
SCISSORS x 1
10 DISPOSABLE APRONS
DOPRAM V
DETTOL x 2
6 BUCKETS
150 PIGLET CLIPS
6 BLACK BAGS
TOWELS x 40-50
VICRYL 3 METRIC x 3
FORCEPS x 2
SYRINGES
BLADES