hi all i was wondering what the life exspectancy is for a pig?also at what age should we stop breeding?thanks for your replies.you guys are a great help! cindy

-- cindy young (cin_sue63@webtv.net), June 25, 2000

Answers

As a general rule, the older the sow, the smaller the litter. This is why they are cycled out of hog factories after 4-6 litters. If the sow is an easy keeper and you are satisified with the size of her litters, there really is no reason to keep her from breeding.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), June 25, 2000.

We used to raise feeder pigs - the sows just keep growing bigger - we sold them when they weighted around 350# - they became fairly clumsy at that weight & start accidently killing piglets. I had a pet pig that was 5-6 yrs old before she died

-- Judy Genereux (thistle_farm@hotmail.com), June 25, 2000.

I have a Hampshire that I got at 4 weeks old for just one purpose ~ a pet to drive a cart. He's one of the best pets I've had. Trying to find out the longevity of a hog isn't easy. I have yet to find the answer!

I'd love to hitch the Hamp with my Dexter steer who's been driving (also rides) for 9 years. The Dexter drove for a few years hitched with a miniature donkey I had. Alas, I live in the sunbelt, and there's just not enough cooler weather to drive the hog, so it's not done often. I hooked up a way to mist the hog as he drives, but the climate is really too warm. We settle for walks on a leash on cool evenings, yet that can only be done a few months a year. BTW, the hog is 2 years old, not an ounce of fat on him, and his back is 4-5 inches taller than the Dexter's.

-- Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), June 30, 2000.

I was hoping for an answer here, also! Haven't had any luck finding out any place else. Our boar is about 5 years old and about 1200 pounds. Very gentle with us and no one else is allowed in the pig pasture. The sow is only about 700 pounds and maybe a year younger. Litters are still good size, health seems good, and with their good temperments, we want to keep them as long as we can, but have no idea what to expect! Our other sow died this past spring, after the ravens attacked her and caused her to abort and then become anemic from their constant pecking at her. Her previous litter numbered 15, and she was a little older than the one we still have. But I will admit, they have both squished babies, and I think they really tried to be careful but were just so big and clumsy!

-- Fran Ogren (trumpkinland@plix.com), August 11, 2000.