Title: Pig Pregnancy- Most Common Questions Answered [11 Things You Need to Know]
Headings: Pig Pregnancy- What You Need to Know
Pig Pregnancy- What You Need to Know
Pig Pregnancy Questions Answered
1. How long are pigs pregnant?
Remember the rule of 3’s.
2. What is a ‘piggy sow’?
3. What does the word farrowing mean?
4. While we are talking about farrowing, what is a farrowing crate?
5. How many piglets will my pig have?
6. Do I need to feed my pig differently while she is pregnant?
7. Should I look for anything specific in a pig to breed?
8. Will my pig show any outward signs of pregnancy?
Some farmers will check the ‘pregnancy indicator’.
9. Will she show signs of farrowing before she farrows?
10-14 days before farrowing, the sow’s vulva and/or mammary glands may swell.
10. What can I expect when she gives birth?
When the sow is getting ready to give birth, she will lay on her side. You may be able to see contractions. Right before a piglet is born, she will raise her leg up and may twitch her tail.
11. What are some problems that my sow can have during birth?
Last Piece of Advice
Grab your FREE Pig Pregnancy Questions Answer Sheet here!
You may also be interested in these pig articles:
Choosing a Boar
Raising Pigs for Meat
Why I Chose to Raise My Pigs on Concrete
Meat Pig Breeds
Common Pig Diseases
Artificial Insemination of Pigs
If you have any questions that I didn’t already answer about pig pregnancy, let me know below and I’ll answer it for you!

Content: The number of piglets your sow has will depend on several different factors. A typical litter in U.S. breeds is 8-13 piglets. I would consider 13 piglets to be an excellent sized litter. Pigs today can have upwards of 22 piglets per litter but many of these piglets are born small and very weak. 13 seems to be the ideal goal to shoot for as many sows can raise 13 piglets without an issue. Many Chinese breeds of pigs, such as the Meishan, are known for being extremely prolific and have litters consistently over 20 piglets. If you want more information about the Meishan and other breeds of pigs, read my post on the breeds of pigs. 6. Do I need to feed my pig differently while she is pregnant? Yes!