A Quick Primer on Farrowing Pigs

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Farrowing pigs on your homestead can be a great way to provide your family with a source of homegrown meat…

Once you’re fully committed to homesteading, you may decide to start raising your own meat. This is one of the most effective ways to become more self-sufficient and less reliant on the industrial food system, but it does require a fair amount of work, so be sure you are all in before you give it a go. Raising poultry is often the easiest way to get started with raising your own livestock, but if you’re ready to take it a step further, farrowing pigs may be a good option.

You’ll want to make sure you’re ready for a batch of new piglets, so if you have a pregnant sow (or gilt, which is a first-time mother), be sure to get all your infrastructure in order plenty of time before the birth is due. (Gestation time for a pig is 109 to 118 days.) This article provides some helpful info on preparing for farrowing pigs on your homestead:

What Does Farrowing Mean?

The definition of a farrowing pig in simple terms is a pig giving birth to a litter of piglets. A female pig can have up to two litters in a year with 6 to 14 piglets per litter.

The size of the litter will depend on the size and breed of your pig and whether or not it is a first-time pregnancy. Small litters are between 3 to 10 piglets, medium litters will be 11 to 13 piglets, and large litters can be 14 to 19 piglets.

Creating the Right Farrowing Pen

You always want to create a secure and safe space for your pigs. Having your farrowing pen (or farrowing crate) clean and dry helps keep the piglets from getting sick.

It’s always a good idea to have the doorway of your farrowing pen facing away from the prevailing winds to keep the temperature more stable.

Depending on your pig’s due date, you might need a heat lamp to keep the pen warm in late fall, winter, and early spring…

Nesting

Allow a couple of weeks before your pig begins to farrow to set up your stall, pen, or crate. Your pregnant pig will want to begin nesting about 7 to 10 days before farrowing.

Nesting is a natural maternal instinct causing your pig to gather hay, leaves, or straw to use as bedding material. During this time, we provide chopped straw and hay for them to gather and create their nest.

One strategy is to isolate your pregnant pig from the rest of your pigs just a couple of weeks before they begin nesting. This will help protect the sow and piglets from unnecessary roughhousing.

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Farrowing Complications

It is not common for a swine to have complications during farrowing, but it can happen. This is why it’s always a good idea to watch the momma pigs during farrowing.

Some of the complications to be aware of include prolonged labor, excessive straining, stuck piglets in the birth canal, or piglets not breathing. In these cases, you or your vet will have to intervene.

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