Animals used in garden prep

thanks porkpal.

Thats what I thought.

Janet

Janet, most sows average 6 or 7 litters, but some can up to 11. The sows and gilts cycle on average every 21 days, with a range from 17 - 25 days. Our typical number born is 9 to 11, but we've had litters as small as 4 and as large as 16. Pigs are really clean animals if given the chance. Most people just don't give them the space they require. A sow with her litter requires around 1/3 acre of pasture.

Thanks for answering my questions.

Sounds like they cycle like cows.

How long is the gestation period? and how long does the sow take care before weening the babies? Do you have to put the babies in a separate area away from the sow? If so is there any problems with the sow trying to get back with the babies?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions so hope you don't mind, I'm very interested in them.

Janet

The gestation period is 114 to 118 days or so. We wean between 5 and 8 weeks, depending on the sow or gilt's condition. Gilts usually get milked down worse than sows so we usually end up having to wean them early. We move the sows out of the pasture at weaning and leave the pigs in their familiar surroundings. That way it's less stressful on them. We put the sows in with a boar, so he usually takes their minds off the pigs. Good electric fencing is a must in outdoor pig production, and once trained to it you couldn't get a pig or sow to cross it, just weaned pigs or not.

We used to say, "3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days" for a sow's gestation.

so not long, and how long after a litter do you bred the sow again?

Janet

The sows normally return to estrus in 5 to 7 days after weaning and are rebred. We usually skip a gilts first heat after weaning and breed her on her second heat. This allows her to regain body condition which will increase her litter size on her second farrowing.