WHAT IS IN MY FARROWING KIT .......
By AKKPS Member Denise Stubbs of Snake Doctor Farm
I am often asked "what's in your farrowing kit?"
Many people are completely hands off during farrowing while many are the total opposite and there for every second. Either way, being prepared is extremely important.
For my farrowing kit, I have a tote packed with all of my essentials which lives in a larger tote containing a blanket or two.
The first kit stays packed after each farrowing so I am ready at a moment's notice. The second, larger tote is a just in case. I have had situations where a sow doesn't want to be bothered by babies during labor or she is a jumper/mover. Sows who are active in labor can be dangerous to tiny, newborn piglets. I will place the newborns in the larger tote on blankets until the mother is ready for them and calm. Depending on the temperature, I may place one end of the tote under a heat lamp.
My Farrowing Kit Contains
1. 12-15 hand or tea towels to dry babies
2. medical gloves in case you need to help your sow internally or to keep your hands clean
3, hand sanitizer (we actually keep a bottle in each farrowing area full time)
4. baby or wet wipes
5. small scissors for clipping umbilical cords
6. dental or embroidery floss for tying off umbilical cord
7, iodine for dipping cords
8. tums for your sow (or you if needed)
9., melatonin to calm your sow
10. a snack and bottle of water for you
11. phone charger or battery pack
12. small notebook and pen for notetaking
13. grocery bags for trash/placenta
14. disposable potty pads for messy sows to keep from ruining too much bedding
15. insect spray or wipes during warmer months. We use Nature's Force natural fly spray and apply it to the entire rear end of our sows immediately after delivery and for several days after when flies are present
16, hoof trimmers because labor can be an easy time to trim their feet
17. a bottle of lube
18. thermometer
19, tape your vet and emergency vet's phone number to the inside lid of your tote
20. bulb syringe for babies with too much blood, mucous, or fluid in their mouth or airway
21. flashlight, headlamp, or camping lantern
My Medical Farrowing Kit Contains
1. injectable calcium if your sow is tired and struggling
2. various sized syringes and needles and a slap shot
3. oxytocin for stalled labor
4. banamine or meloxicam for pain (this is a prescription item you will need to obtain from your vet)
5. a heating pad for a baby that might need extra warmth
6. karo syrup
7. your antibiotic of choice in case your sow needs internal assistance
Obviously, not everyone's farrowing kit will be the same and these are simply suggestions. Make your kit work for you! Decide what you need and what is important for you and your sow to have the best experience during farrowing.
Happy farrowing!