Has anyone worked in a Farrowing Barn when pregnant?

Question

I have a job offer to work at a farrowing facility. I am recently married and was wondering if i was to get pregnant in the future if there was any hazards. Thanks

Answer 1

If you need the work, take the job and you can see first hand what the job is about. You would soon learn if you thought it would be a danger to your pregnancy. You could always quite any time that you didn't feel comfortable with the job. I can tell you from personal experience the smell is going to be the hardest thing to get used to.

Answer 2

Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are not good for you physically. When you breath it it does get into your body. I don't know what the research is as to how much stress it causes on your organs but it can burn lung tissue under certain conditions. This is one of the issues that farm animal cruelty groups look at. If you take a look at the facility and you can not be assured of adequate ventilation with the summer heat on the way, you may not wish to risk it. Personally, I would not work anyplace that had fumes at all, period, and if those fumes are from animal overcrowding, I would not consider that position for that reason alone, before my mind ever went to the health of my child.

Answer 3

i have not worked in a farrowing facility, but i am pregnant and do work around pigs for school. my doctor said that there was nothing wrong with being around the pigs. just wash your hands really well if you touch their poo. i'm an animal science major and work with large animals, and it's totally up to your comfort level if you have a low risk pregnancy. i'm 2 months along and still work with cows, pigs, sheep, and horses. i still ride horses. i was told that large animals posess mainly a physical harm possibility unlike cats and dogs with the worms and parasites that can cause abortion. in our farrowing facilities, the sows are in a special cage and the possibility of anyone getting hurt by following the protocols is very small.