What Is a Gilt Pig?

There are a number of terms to describe pigs based on their age and stage of production.

Pork is the most commonly consumed meat worldwide. As with other domesticated farm animals, there is a set of terms used to describe pigs to identify factors like gender, age and stage of production.

Gilts

Young female pigs are known as gilts.

In the United States, a young female pig at least six months of age that has had no more than one litter of piglets is commonly known as a "gilt." In some regions of the world, the term describes those that have had no litters.

Sows

Adult pigs that have had more than two litters are known as sows.

Adult female pigs that have had two or more litters of piglets are known as "sows." When a pig gives birth, it is known as "farrowing." On average, sows are pregnant for 114 to 115 days.

Male Pigs

While only domesticated male pigs are known as boars, the terms is also used to describe any wild pig.

Domesticated male pigs that are castrated are known as "barrows," while those that are not castrated are called "boars." Wild pigs of either gender are commonly referred to as boars or wild boars.

Young Pigs

Suckling pigs are known as piglets until they are weaned.

Baby pigs still suckling milk are referred to as "piglets" or simply "pigs." Once weaned, they are known as "weaners" or "weanlings" until they reach a weight of 40 lbs.

References

• Food and Agriculture Organization: Industrial Livestock Production and Global Health Risks
• University of Pennsylvania School of Veternary Medicine: Swine Production Glossary

Resources

• National Hog Farmer: Building Better Replacement Gilts for the Sow Herd
• North Carolina Swine Veterinary Group: Gilt Development and Management