Introduction to Raising Pigs

Introduction
Pigs are an adaptable and rapidly growing species that may be attractive for
small and beginning farmers seeking to incorporate livestock into their farm.
This factsheet summarizes typical performance of the type of pigs most
commonly raised in the United States. Although these estimates are not
universal, they are a starting point for developing a plan to raise pigs.
Estimates of feed use for a sow and a litter of pigs to market as well as a
glossary of terms and abbreviations commonly used in pig production
literature are also presented.
Objectives

 Provide pig reproduction and post-weaning growth estimates suitable for initial planning
purposes
 Provide planning estimates of resources needed—feed, water, bedding, and space—to begin
raising pigs
 Introduce and summarize terms and abbreviations commonly found in pig production
literature

Defining the Typical Pig

There is a wide variety of breeds and types of pigs available to small and
beginning pig farmers. Differences in mature size, growth rate, and
reproductive rate will impact the amount of feed and other resources needed
to successfully raise different types of pigs. Heritage or rare breeds of hogs
are often an attractive choice for small farms because of their uniqueness.
Unfortunately there is little published performance data available for most of
these breeds. Much of the available production information relating to these
types of pigs is anecdotal or general. Even within a relatively well-known
breed such as the Berkshire there can be large variation in performance
between genetic lines. This factsheet focuses on production expectations for
pigs representative of commercial pig production in the United States. Table
1 summarizes typical age and weight benchmarks for commercial pigs in the
United States. Farmers considering raising heritage or rare breeds of pigs can
use these values as points of comparison for planning purposes.
Farrowing and Reproductive Performance
Pigs commonly farrow (give birth) to litters of 10–14 pigs. In 2013 the
average number born alive (NBA) for U.S. pig farms was 12.4 pigs/litter
(NPB, 2014). Gestation length in pigs is usually about 114 days or 3 months,
3 weeks and 3 days. In systems where young pigs are weaned at 21 days of
age, most sows will farrow multiple litters of pigs in a year—with 2.3
litters/sow being typical for U.S. operations (NPB, 2014).
Pre-wean mortality—pigs that are born alive but do are survive to weaning—
is about 10% for U.S. pig farms (USDA, 2015). Reducing pre-wean mortality
is a priority for all pig farms regardless of size. In the U.S. industry,
farrowing crates are almost universally used and close monitoring of sows
and litters, especially during the first week following farrowing is common.
A sow in the U.S. can wean 26 pigs/sow/year with some farms reporting
more than 30 pigs/sow/year (NBP, 2014). Several niche markets prohibit the
use of farrowing crates and restrict the use of antibiotics. In an analysis of
production records from Midwest farmers raising pigs for these markets,
Stender et al. (2010abc) reported prewean mortality of 18–26% and only 10
pigs/sow/year.
Although weaning pigs at 21 days is an effective strategy for most of the U.S.
pork industry, some markets require later weaning ages. Many small and
beginning pig farmers also choose to wait to wean pigs until the pigs are
closer to 6 or 8 weeks of age. At 21 days of age, the pig’s gut is not fully
mature which necessitates the feeding of more complex transition diets.
Delaying weaning allows the pigs to derive nutrition from the sow as milk for
a longer period of time which enables feeding simpler and thus less
expensive diets to the growing pigs once weaned. However longer lactations
will delay the rebreeding of the sow and thus reduce the total number of
litters per sow and thus pigs per sow per year.
Post-weaning Growth
Table 2 summarizes reasonable growth expectations for pigs in the United
States. Young pigs grow rapidly. Pig growth is influenced by several factors.
As discussed previously, genetics of the pigs plays an important role in
growth performance. Three other important factors that influence growth and
performance are health, thermal environment, and feed characteristics.
Healthy pigs grow faster and more efficiently than pigs that are sick or
injured. Becoming familiar with normal pig behavior in order to quickly
identify and treat pigs that are injured or sick is important for beginning pig
farmers. A number of resources are available to assist the novice with
identifying and correctly treating the compromised pig (see resource list).
Thermal environment is the combined effect of air temperature, moisture, and
air flow on a pig. The thermal neutral zone is the range of temperatures at
which the pig can maintain body temperature through control of sensible heat
loss. For small pigs the thermal neutral zone is very narrow, while larger pigs
are comfortable within a wider range of temperatures. Table 3 summarizes
the approximate thermal neutral zone for pigs at different stages of growth.
Shelter, bedding, and water are three tools farmers commonly use to modify a
pig’s environment. Shelter and bedding are used to help keep pigs warm, dry,
and draft-free during cold weather. Shade, breeze, and water are particularly
important during hot weather. During cold weather, preventing drafts on
young pigs is essential and during hot weather encouraging air flow and
evaporative cooling helps keep pigs comfortable.
Table 4 summarizes minimal space requirements for pigs with access to
outdoor lots (MWPS, 1987). These values are suitable for planning purposes
in terms of getting started with raising pigs, but some niche markets or
certification agencies may require greater space allowances. The Midwest
Plan Service has a number of publications that address shelter and ventilation
for pigs in greater detail. These factsheets can be accessed through the
following website
https://www-mwps.sws.iastate.edu/catalog/livestock-operations/swine-pork

Table 5 provides estimates of bedding use by different types of pigs. A wide

variety of materials can be used for bedding with the critical considerations
being absorbency and the material’s structure when wet. For example,
shredded paper is very absorbent, but tends to become a solid mat when wet.
This mat then dries into a nonporous mass that can be difficult to remove.
Alternatively wood chips maintain their structure after wetting, but are less
absorbent than other materials. Mixing different bedding materials can help
overcome these challenges.
Water is necessary to support normal growth and development of pigs and is
also important for cooling pigs and cleaning equipment. Water consumption
will increase during hot weather and will generally decrease during cold
weather. Providing adequate supplies of fresh, clean drinking water to
lactating sows is especially important because water is a major component of
milk (Klobasa et al., 1987). Water consumption is heavily influenced by
thermal environment, stage of production, and feed quantity and quality. It is
recommended that regardless of conditions, pigs be provided free access to
drinking water at all times. A variety of equipment for delivering drinking
water to pigs is available and Table 6 presents minimum drinking water
estimates that can be used for planning purposes. Midwest Plan Service
(1987) provides more specific design considerations for livestock watering
systems and Brumm (2008) presents water use and flow rate
recommendations for pigs in greater detail.
Pigs that are cold typically consume more feed in order to compensate for the
energy required to maintain body temperature. Depending on the relative
balance between higher maintenance requirements and increased feed intake
pigs that are close to the lower boundary of the thermal neutral zone may
actually grow faster. However at some point, the severity of the cold becomes
too extreme and growth rate will decline despite increased feed intake. Pigs
that are warm will generally reduce feed intake and thus growth rate will
decline slightly. Pigs that are hot will reduce feed intake with a
correspondingly significant decline in growth rate.
Feed is probably the most important factor influencing growth and
performance of pigs. Pigs are nonruminant animals and as such have a
limited ability to utilize fibrous feedstuffs. Pigs also have very specific
requirements for certain amino acids that must be met in order to support
normal growth and performance. Diets that combine sources of energy in the
form of starch (corn) and a source of protein with a complementary amino
acid profile (soybean meal) are most common in the United States.
Cumulative feed use by pigs is summarized in table 7 and is based on a
typical corn-soybean meal diet. Alternative feedstuffs may be available and
in some cases are economical. If correctly formulated a wide variety of diets
will support rapid and efficient growth in pigs. A full discussion of pig
nutrition and feedstuffs is beyond the scope of this factsheet.
Resource List
The following is a brief list of resources available through the Pork
Information Gateway at the time of this factsheet’s publication that new and
beginning pig farmers may find useful. The factsheets are available for
download through the following website:
http://porkgateway.org/resources/type/factsheets/
Swine Health and Management
 Baby Pig Management-Birth to Weaning
 Biosecurity for Alternative Pig Farms
 Identification of the Sick or Compromised Pig
 Injection Reference

Swine Nutrition

 Understanding the Nutrient Recommendations in the National Swine Nutrition Guide

 National Swine Nutrition Guide Tables on Nutrient Recommendations, Ingredient
Composition, and Use Rates
 Example Diets for Swine
 Feeding for Niche Swine Production

References
Brumm, M. C., J. D. Harmon, M. S. Honeyman, J. B. Kliebenstein, S. M.
Lonergan, R. Morrison, and T. Richard. 2004. Hoop Barns for Grow-Finish
Swine. Agricultural Engineers Digest, AED–41. Midwest Plan Service.
Ames, Iowa.

Brumm, M. C. 2008. Water recommendations and systems for swine.

National Swine Nutrition Guide PIG 07-02-08. Available
online http://porkgateway.org/resource/water-recommendations-and-systems-
for-swine/ January 12, 2016

Carr, J. 1998. Garth Pig Stockmanship Standards. 5M Enterprises Limited.

Sheffield, UK. ISBN 0-9530150-9-2

GAP. 2015. Global Animal Partnerships 5-Step® Animal welfare standards

for pigs v2.1. Accessed online http://www.globalanimalpartnership.org/5-
step-animal-welfare-program/standards January 12, 2016.
Harmon, J. D., M. S. Honeyman, J. B. Kliebenstein, T. Richard, and J. M.
Zulovich. 2004. Hoop Barns for Gestating Swine. Agricultural Engineers
Digest, AED–44. Midwest Plan Service. Ames, Iowa.

Klobasa F., E. Werhnahn, J.E. Butler. 1987. Composition of sow milk during
lactation. Journal of Animal Science. 64:1458–1466.

Kyriazakis, I. and C. T. Whittemore editors. 2006. Whittemore’s Science and

Practice of Pig Production 3rd Edition. Blackwell Publishing. Ames, IA.
ISBN-10: 1-4051-2448-2.

MWPS. 1987. Structures and environment handbook 11th Edition. Midwest

Plan Service, Ames, IA. ISBN 0-893473-057-2.

NPB. 2014. Pork Stats 2014. National Pork Board. Clive, IA. accessed
online http://www.pork.org/pork-quick-facts/ January 12, 2016.

Stender, D., J. Kliebenstein, R. Ness, M. Mabry, G. Huber, and M.

Honeyman. 2010a. Efficiency of niche pork production in 2006. A.S. Leaflet
R2362. Iowa State University Extension. Ames, IA. accessed
online http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ans_air/vol661/iss1/ January 12, 2016.

Stender, D., J. Kliebenstein, R. Ness, M. Mabry, G. Huber, and M.

Honeyman. 2010b. Efficiency of niche pork production in 2007. A.S. Leaflet
R2363. Iowa State University Extension. Ames, IA. accessed
online http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ans_air/vol661/iss1/ January 12, 2016.

Stender, D., J. Kliebenstein, R. Ness, M. Mabry, G. Huber, and M.

Honeyman. 2010c. Efficiency of niche pork production in 2008. A.S. Leaflet
R2364. Iowa State University Extension. Ames, IA. accessed
online http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ans_air/vol661/iss1/ January 12, 2016.

USDA. 20015. Swine 2012 Part1: Baseline reference of swine health and
management in the United States, 2012. USDA–APHIS–VS, CEAH. Fort
Collins, CO. accessed online http://www.aphis.usda.gov/nahms January 12,
2016.
Support Material

Table 1. Typical age and weight benchmarks for commercial pigs in the United States
Weight, lb Age, days
Birth 3 0
Weaning 13 21
Market 275 175
Puberty 250–300 150–200
First mating 275–325 210–240

Table 2. Growth rate, feed intake, and feed conversion of weaned pigs1,2
Age of pig, Weight, Growth rate, Feed intake, Feed conversion ratio,
weeks lb lb/d lb/d lb feed:lb gain
6 27 0.5 0.6 1.2
8 47 1.4 1.9 1.4
10 68 1.5 2.7 1.8
12 90 1.6 3.6 2.3
14 115 1.8 4.6 2.6
16 145 2.1 5.7 2.7
18 176 2.2 7.0 3.2
20 210 2.4 8.4 3.5
22 244 2.4 8.8 3.6
24 275 2.2 9.0 4.1
26 305 2.2 9.2 4.2
1
Adapted from Carr, 1998.
2
Assumes healthy pigs of commercial genetics kept in a thermoneutral
environment, and fed a balanced diet.

Table 3. Estimated comfort temperature and thermal neutral zones of pigs1,2

Size of Pig Comfort temperature2 Thermal neutral zone3
< 12 lb 86–93°F 80–96°F
30 lb 72–86°F 70–92°F
70 lb 65–72°F 65–90°F
150 lb 60–65°F 52–85°F
300 lb 58–65°F 40–80°F
1
Kyriazakis and Whittemore, 2006.
2
Comfort temperature is the range of temperatures where the pig is most
comfortable and is expected to perform most ideally.
3
Thermal neutral zone is the range of temperatures within which groups of pigs
with access to feed can typically maintain normal body temperature.

Table 4. Space recommendations for pigs with outdoor access1

Shed with lot2 Pasture3
Approximate Inside, Outside, Shaded Area,
Type of pig weight, lb ft2/head ft2/head ft2/head
Nursery pig 30–75 3-4 6-8 4
Grower 75-150 5-6 12-15 6
Finisher 150-300 6-8 12-20 8
Gestating sow 325 8 14 15-20
Boar 400 40 40 15-20
Sow and litter4 430-500 24 15-20 20-30
1
Based on MWPS (1987) unless otherwise noted
2
More outside lot space is often provided to facilitate manure drying
3
Total space needs on pasture is heavily dependent on local rainfall and soil fertility
conditions area listed here is minimum recommendation for shaded area only.
4
Based on space recommendations for crate-free farrowing (GAP, 2015)

Table 5. Estimated amount of bedding needed for various types of pigs1

Type of pig Bedding material Average amount needed
Sow and litter (lb/sow and litter from birth to 5 week weaning)
Shredded corn stalks 200 lb per sow
Oat straw 180 lb per sow
Barley straw 240 lb per sow
Wood chips 2
185 lb per sow
Shredded paper 250 lb per sow
Growing pigs (lb/pig from wean to market)
Shredded corn stalks 200 lb per pig
Oat straw 180 lb per pig
Barley straw 240 lb per pig
Hardwood sawdust 2
335 lb per pig
Pine sawdust2 200 lb per pig
Gestating sows (additional lb/sow housed/year)
Corn stalks 2500 lb per sow space
Oat straw 2250 lb per sow space
Barley straw 3000 lb per sow space
1
Based on Brumm et al. (2004) and Harmon et al. (2004)
2
Wood products should be used with caution. Wood chips and sawdust exposed to
bird droppings need to go through a heat cycle to avoid transmission of avian
tuberculosis to pigs.
Table 6. Drinking water estimates for pigs1
Type of pig Gallons/pig/day
Lactating sow and litter 8
Weaned pigs, 30–50 lb 1
Growing pigs, 50–100 lb 3
Finishing pigs, 100–300 lb 4
Gestating sow 6
Boar 8
1
Based on MWPS (1987)

Table 7. Example feed use for a sow and litter of 10 pigs1,2

Type of diet Pig description lb/d/pig days in phase Total lb
Gestation 1
pregnant sow 5.0 141 705
Lactation sow nursing pigs 14.0 42 588
Nursery 10 pigs 25–50 lb 1.9 14 266
Grower 10 pigs 50–100 lb 2.7 45 1,215
Finish 1 10 pigs 100–200 lb 5.9 45 2,655
Finish 2 10 pigs 200–300 lb 8.9 45 4,005
Total 9,434
1
Assumes corn-soybean meal based diets. Non-lactating sows are limit fed while other
types usually are fed ad libitum.
2
Assumes that one sow will produce two litters every year with 42-day
lactation.

Glossary of Common Abbreviations and Terms

Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) a calculated measurement of feed
consumption rate
ADFI = Feed Disappearance / Days on Feed
Average Daily Gain (ADG) a calculated measurement of growth rate
ADG = (End weight – Start weight) / Days on Feed
Barrow a castrated male pig
Boar an intact male pig
Farrow the process of giving birth
Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) a calculated measurement of feed
efficiency
FCR = ADFI / ADG
Feeder pig a young growing pig; feeder pigs are young animals that have
been weaned and have transitioned to non-milk diets; commonly used to refer
to pigs that are about 40 lb but a wide range of weights may be used
depending on region
Gilt a female pig that has not farrowed a litter of pigs
Litter a group of young pigs farrowed or nursed by a sow at the
same time
Market pig a growing pig that has reached market weight; usually
weighing 240–300 lb but exact weight may vary by region and market
Number Born Alive (NBA) number of live born pigs in a litter
Parity the number of litters a sow has farrowed
Pigs per Sow per Year (PSY) a common measure of sow productivity;
usually refers to the number of pigs weaned by a particular sow in a calendar
year
Pre-wean Mortality (PWM) the number or percentage of pigs that were
born alive but were not successfully weaned by a sow
Sensible heat loss heat exchange (loss) that reduces the pig’s body
temperature
Sow A female pig that has farrowed

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Resource Details

Publish Date
February 8, 2016
Type
Factsheets

Category

 Small and Beginning Farmer

Author

 Pete Lammers

Reviewers

 Mark S. Honeyman

 Andy Larson

Audiences

 Instructors
 Producers

 Students

Factsheets Number
PIG 17-00-01
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