HEAT DETECTION - COMMON SIGNS OF HEAT 1st Stage: Early heat signs General restlessness. Vulva turns red and is swollen. White muscus discharge. 2nd Stage: Service period signs Real Oestrus lasts for 40-60 hours. Vulva becomes less red and swollen. Slimy muscus discharge. Tendency to mount and be mounted by others. The sow or gilt will stand still when pressure is applied to her back ( can accept a men's weight sitting on her. Thus the right stage to send her to the boar). 3rd Stage: Post oestrus- period signs The sow / gilt will not stand still when pressure is applied to her back. The swelling of vulva disappears. HOW TO INDUCE HEAT-RECOMMENDED PRACTICES After farrowing, a sow may be slow to come in to heat. Here are a few methods used by farmers to induce heat. Gently stroke the sow's vagina with a freshly cut papaya stalk every morning for 3 to 5 days. Spray the sow's or gilt's pen with boar's urine every morning...