Pig Farrowing Guide: How Long Does Labor Take, First-Time Piglet Counts, and Breeding Timelines

Bringing new piglets into the world is one of the most exciting and most delicate moments in pig production. When you understand what to expect before labor begins, how long farrowing typically lasts, and how first-time litters differ from seasoned sows, you set the stage for smoother births and stronger, healthier pigs. This guide breaks down the farrowing timeline from breeding to delivery, giving you the clarity and confidence to support your herd through every step of the process.

How Long Does a Pig Take to Give Birth?

Understanding the stages of pig labor is crucial for swine caretakers to ensure the health and safety of both the sow and her piglets. While the farrowing process can vary between individual sows and first-time gilts, knowing what to expect helps prevent complications and promotes smooth births.

Stage 1: Preparation and Nesting (24 Hours Before)

The first stage of labor begins roughly 24 hours before farrowing and is characterized by clear behavioral and physiological changes.

Key Signs:

• Restlessness and pacing: Sows may frequently get up and lie down, walk back and forth, or appear unsettled.
• Nest building behaviors: Pawing at the ground or bedding, rearranging straw, and attempting to create a comfortable birthing area.
• Posture changes: A slight sway-back appearance may be observed as the sow’s body prepares for birth.

The “Milk Test”:

• Milky colostrum starts to appear in the teats 6–12 hours before farrowing begins.
• Gently stripping a few drops of milk can help predict that birth is imminent.

Actionable Tip:

• Move the sow to her designated farrowing area during this period if not already done. Ensure that bedding is clean, dry, and soft to encourage proper nesting and reduce the risk of piglet injuries.

Stage 2: Piglet Delivery (The Farrowing Process)

The second stage is the actual delivery of the piglets.

Total Duration:

• For most sows, 2–4 hours is typical, but the process can range from under one hour to up to 10 hours, particularly for gilts or first-time mothers.

Inter-Piglet Interval:

• Normally, piglets are born every 10–20 minutes.
• Intervals can occasionally extend to a couple of hours without concern, but continuous monitoring is important.

Warning Signs:

• If an interval exceeds 30–45 minutes with obvious straining, restlessness, or unusual behavior, this may indicate dystocia, or a difficult birth, and veterinary intervention may be required.

Sow Behavior During Delivery:

• Tail twitching often signals that the next piglet is imminent.
• The sow typically lies on her side and may exhibit intermittent abdominal straining and shivering.

Post-Delivery Piglet Behavior:

• Piglets usually break free of the umbilical cord naturally and seek a teat within 20 minutes to begin nursing.
• Ensuring immediate access to colostrum is essential for passive immunity and survival.

Stage 3: Placental Expulsion (Afterbirth)

The final stage of labor involves the expulsion of the placenta.

Timing:

• The afterbirth is generally passed within 1–4 hours after the last piglet is delivered.
• Some sows may take up to 12 hours, but consistent monitoring is necessary.

Key Note:

• Full placental expulsion is critical for the sow’s health. Retained placentas can lead to infections, fever, and reproductive complications.
• If the sow fails to pass all placentas, consult a veterinarian promptly.

By understanding the pig labor timeline from nesting and colostrum production to piglet delivery and placental expulsion—farmers can better anticipate each stage, respond to warning signs, and ensure a safe farrowing process for both the sow and her litter.

What to Expect from a Gilt

Understanding what to expect from a gilt’s first litter is essential for any pig producer. The size and health of a first litter can differ significantly from that of a mature sow, and knowing these differences helps manage expectations, plan nutrition, and provide proper care during farrowing.

1. Gilts vs. Sows: Understanding Parity

A gilt is a female pig that is giving birth for the first time. In contrast, a sow is a female pig that has already farrowed one or more litters. Parity—the number of times a female has farrowed directly influences litter size, piglet viability, and maternal behavior.

First Litter Size (Gilt Average):

• On average, a gilt produces 8 to 10 piglets during her first farrowing. This is slightly smaller than the typical litter of a mature sow, which usually ranges from 12 to 14 piglets.
• Smaller or heritage breeds may have even smaller first litters, with counts sometimes 5 to 7 piglets.

Why First Litters Are Smaller:

• Gilts are still physically maturing, and their ovulation rate and uterine capacity are often lower than those of fully grown sows.
• These factors naturally limit the number of piglets that can be carried to term in the first pregnancy.
• As gilts continue to mature, subsequent litters usually increase in size, reaching or exceeding the average of mature sows.

2. Analyzing the Litter

Stillborn Piglets:

• Stillborns can occur in any litter but are slightly more common in first-time gilts, particularly if labor is prolonged or the litter size is larger than average.
• Causes may include difficult labor, lack of colostrum, inadequate oxygen during delivery, or weak piglets. Proper farrowing management monitoring the sow, ensuring a clean environment, and intervening when necessary can reduce the risk of stillbirths.

Mummified Fetuses:

• Occasionally, mummified piglets may be present in the litter. These are piglets that died earlier in gestation after their bones calcified and could not be reabsorbed.
• The presence of mummies can indicate early embryonic loss, potentially caused by stress, disease, trauma, or nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy. While mummies are relatively rare, tracking their occurrence is important for assessing reproductive health and sow management practices.

Getting a Pig Pregnant Post-Farrowing

1. The Wean-to-Estrus Interval

Lactational Anestrus

During lactation, sows experience lactational anestrus, a natural period in which the sow’s reproductive cycle is suppressed due to nursing. While actively nursing a full litter, the hormonal signals required to trigger estrus (heat) are inhibited, meaning the sow will not come into heat until weaning occurs.

The Weaning Trigger

The act of weaning piglets removes the nursing stimulus, which reinitiates ovarian activity and allows the sow to enter estrus. This post-weaning estrus is essential for planning the next breeding and maintaining consistent production.

Normal Return to Heat

Most healthy sows will return to estrus approximately 3 to 7 days after weaning. This window can vary slightly depending on factors such as the sow’s age, body condition, litter size, and management practices. First-time mothers (gilts) may sometimes have a slightly longer or irregular return to heat due to ongoing physical development.

Practical Tip: Breeding during the first post-weaning estrus maximizes productivity and reduces the interval between litters, which is a common practice in commercial operations.

2. Standard Production Cycle (for Context)

Typical Weaning Age

Piglets are usually weaned at 3 to 4 weeks of age (21–28 days), depending on farm protocols and piglet health. Early weaning encourages the sow’s return to estrus and allows her to be rebred efficiently.

Full Cycle Example

To understand the overall timeline from one farrowing to the next, consider the following standard intervals:

• Gestation: ~114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)
• Lactation/Weaning Period: 21–28 days
• Wean-to-Breeding Interval: 3–7 days

This results in a total production cycle of roughly 138–149 days, or approximately 4.5 to 5 months from one farrowing to the next conception.

Annual Litters

Under intensive management with proper nutrition, health care, and breeding practices, sows can typically produce 2.0 to 2.5 litters per year. This is achieved by strategically timing weaning, closely monitoring post-weaning estrus, and promptly breeding during the first post-weaning heat.

Key Considerations:

• Sows must recover sufficiently from lactation to ensure reproductive health and fetal viability.
• Body condition, disease status, and stress levels can influence the wean-to-estrus interval and subsequent conception success.

The post-farrowing reproductive timeline is largely governed by the sow’s lactational anestrus and the timing of weaning. By weaning piglets at 3–4 weeks and breeding sows within 3–7 days after weaning, producers can maintain efficient production cycles and optimize the sow’s lifetime productivity.

Farrowing Troubleshooting and Intervention

While farrowing is a natural process for sows, complications can occasionally arise that require careful observation and timely intervention. Understanding the signs of distress and providing practical, safe measures can significantly improve piglet survival and sow health.

When to Call the Vet

Certain warning signs during farrowing indicate that professional veterinary intervention is necessary:

1. Prolonged Intervals Between Piglets:
   • If more than 30 to 45 minutes pass between live piglets while the sow continues to strain, this may indicate dystocia (difficult birth).
   • Delays longer than this can lead to exhaustion, stillbirths, or compromised piglet viability.
2. Continuous Straining Without Progress:
   • Persistent, forceful abdominal straining with no piglet appearing is a red flag. The sow may be experiencing obstruction or a malpresentation of the piglet.
3. Abnormal or Foul Discharge:
   • The presence of green, brown, or foul-smelling fluid may indicate infection or retained piglets and requires immediate veterinary evaluation.
4. Sow Exhaustion or Weakness:
   • Signs such as unresponsiveness, severe shivering, or inability to stand may suggest fatigue or systemic complications requiring urgent assistance.

Intervention Steps

If a problem arises and immediate action is necessary before the vet arrives, follow safe and sanitary procedures:

1. Sanitation is Critical:
   • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
   • Wear clean disposable gloves to prevent infection for both sow and piglets.
2. Gentle Examination of the Birth Canal:
   • Carefully check for obstruction, malpositioned piglets (e.g., posterior presentation with legs backward), or retained piglets.
   • Avoid excessive force to reduce the risk of injuring the sow or piglets.
3. Assisting Delivery:
   • Only attempt to assist if confident and the obstruction is minor.
   • Lubrication can help, but manual extraction should be minimal unless trained or advised by a veterinarian.

Note: Unsafe or rough handling can cause severe injury or mortality, so the best practice is to call a vet immediately if signs of difficulty persist.

Post-Farrowing Care

Proper care after farrowing is vital for the health of both the sow and piglets:

1. Colostrum Intake:
   • Ensure all piglets receive colostrum within the first 1–2 hours, as it provides essential antibodies and energy critical for survival.
2. Piglet Warmth and Safety:
   • Maintain a warm, dry environment using short straw bedding and heat lamps.
   • Prevent crushing by monitoring the sow’s movement; farrowing rails can help minimize squished piglets.
3. Monitoring Sow Health:
   • Check for abnormal discharge, retained placenta, or continued lethargy.
   • Provide water and feed gradually, as sows may be temporarily uninterested in food immediately post-farrowing.
4. Prompt Intervention if Problems Persist:
   • Any piglet that is weak, cold, or not suckling should be warmed and assisted to the teat.
   • Veterinary help should be sought immediately for any unresolved farrowing complications.

While most sows farrow naturally without assistance, vigilance during labor is critical. Recognizing prolonged intervals, abnormal discharge, or sow exhaustion allows timely intervention. Safe, sanitary measures can help address minor complications, while post-farrowing care ensures piglets receive colostrum, warmth, and protection—maximizing survival and supporting the sow’s recovery.