Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Pig: Gestation Length and Farrowing Management

Understanding normal farrowing duration and recognising complications early is critical for reducing piglet mortality and maternal welfare harm.

Key Facts

Normal farrowing takes 1-4 hours in sows, with intervals of 5-30 minutes between piglets
Prolonged farrowing over 5 hours without progression indicates a problem requiring intervention
Oxytocin should only be given under veterinary guidance as misuse can compromise sow welfare
Stillbirth rates increase significantly in farrowings lasting more than 4 hours
Supervision during farrowing allows rapid intervention and dramatically reduces stillbirth rates

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing is the highest-risk period for both sow and piglet welfare. Prolonged difficult farrowing causes acute pain from uterine inertia and fetal pressure. Stillbirths from oxygen deprivation in delayed births represent preventable welfare harm. Adequate supervision with competent stockpeople able to provide appropriate intervention dramatically reduces both sow and piglet welfare harm during this critical period.

What You Can Do

Ensure adequate stockperson cover during peak farrowing periods
Train staff to recognise normal and abnormal farrowing progression
Have resuscitation equipment available for weak and stillborn piglets
Implement protocols for when and how to intervene in prolonged farrowings
Record farrowing duration and stillbirth rates as welfare performance indicators