At Acorn Farm, we keep different types of pigs, including rare breeds. At present we have a Tamworth boar and a Saddleback sow. We also have, as their name suggests, smaller micropigs!
Pig facts:
- An adult male is a boar and an adult female is a sow. A newborn is called a piglet.
- A group of pigs is called a herd.
- On average a sow will produce 2 litters of piglets per year. The average number of piglets per litter is 10!
- A sow has 14 teats, so she can feed her large litters of piglets.
- A sow is pregnant for 113 days, which is 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days!
- The meat produced from pigs is called pork. If it is cured, it is known as ham or bacon.
- Pigs are unable to sweat as they have no sweat glands in their skin.
- They can suffer from sunburn and will cover themselves in mud to prevent this.
- They are distantly related to hippos!
- Despite their reputation, pigs are clean animals. They sleep in one area of the pen which they keep clean and dry and use a separate area as a toilet.
- A pig’s squeal can reach 115 decibels – louder than a supersonic plane!
- Pigs can run a mile in 7.5 minutes when running at top speed!
