Pigs are pregnant for 114 days on average but anywhere from 109-120 days is considered normal. mini pigs usually have a slightly shorter gestation period of 105-110 days. Some sows (female pigs) will have their first litter as early as six months old but most will be between one and two years old when they farrow (give birth). Large breed sows may not farrow until they are two years old or more. Pigs have litters of anywhere from one to twelve piglets but six to eight is about average.
The actual act of giving birth only takes a few hours but the entire farrowing process can take up to 48 hours. The firststage of labor can last for several hours as the piglets start to position themselves in the birth canal. The sow will then push for about 30 minutes to an hour to deliver each piglet.
After the piglets are born the sow will clean them off and help them to find her teats to start nursing. It is very important that each piglet find a teat and start nursing within the first few hours after birth as they will not survive long without colostrum (the first milk that is rich in antibodies and nutrients). Once they have started nursing they will gain strength and be able to survive on their own.
The sow will continue to care for her piglets but they will be weaned (taken away from their mother to be fed solid food) at around six to eight weeks old. At this point they will be moved to a separate pen or pasture where they will continue to grow until they are ready for market.
