Pig Basics - SaskPork

Let’s start at the very beginning...Sows can be bred by natural mating with boars or by artificial insemination.Artificial insemination allows farmers to buy the best genetics in the worldwithout having to bring a new animal into the barn.It’s easy to remember that a sow’sgestation (pregnancy) lasts forapproximately three months, threeweeks, and three days. The averagesow can have 8-12 piglets in a litter,and gives birth approximately twice ayear. Sows are put in special pens called‘farrowing pens’, just before giving birthand while theynurse their piglets.The farrowing penis designed to provide the best environment for both thelarge sow and the small piglets. The bars on the pengive the sow something to lean against when she liesdown, and the piglets have a safe area to stay out ofharm’s way. The area where the piglets sleep can bekept warm with a heat lamp or heat pad. Sows nursetheir piglets for two to four weeks, until the piglets areweaned from milk and eat solid food.To the nursery ...Heat LampFeeder pigs receive a diet thatchanges to meet their nutritionalneeds as they grow. Once thepiglets are weaned from the sow,they are moved to group pens inanother room or even a separatebarn altogether. These newlyweaned pigs need warmer temperatures,and are healthiest whenkept completely separate from olderpigs. These pigs are usually kept ingroups, with other pigs of the samesize. It is important to keep pigs ingroups with other pigs the samesize as they will ‘bully’ each otherand can really injure smaller pigs.BoarFarrowing PenManure and urine fall through this typeof floor to keep pens clean and dry.Slatted floor