Births

Question
Hi helen

I wonder if you could please help me. I have a pregnant pot belly pig and i think she has gone into labour but am not too sure. What signs should i look out for and if she is, how long is the labour and the birth approximately.

Is there anything special she needs from me. She is my baby and i would hate for something to go wrong.

You advise is greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards
Vanessa

Answer
Normally pregnant females will begin nesting a day or so before labor starts. The first stage of labor lasts 8 - 24 hours, she may act uncomfortable and repeatedly attempt to go potty.

In the second stage the babies will be born. The piglets are born anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes apart. Keep her warm and comfortable and give her privacy.

The third stage is the expulsion of the placenta, although pieces may emerge during the second stage of labor.

The babies will begin to nurse shortly after birth. Let each piglet choose it's own nipple, because piglets nurse from the same nipple until they are weaned. The piglets and the sow will work it out so each piglet gets it's own nipple.

Piglets need warmth, but not excessive heat. A heat lamp hung over one section of the farrowing pen will allow the piglets to move from a warmer area to a cooler one to fit their needs. But use EXTREME caution with heat lamps - many barns have burned when bedding gets too close to heat lamps. The temperature in the farrowing pen should range from approximately 92 on the cool side of the pen to 103 on the hot side.