How many litters is a sow expected to produce in confinement situations?

A sow is typically expected to produce four to five litters in confinement situations. This range is based on several factors that influence reproductive performance, such as genetics, nutrition, housing, and management practices. In a well-managed confinement system, sows are often bred back shortly after weaning their previous litter, allowing them to maximize the number of litters they produce over their productive lifespan.

While a sow can potentially produce more litters with optimal conditions and improved genetics, the four to five litters standard aligns with industry norms and practices. Factors like reduced stress, better health management, and controlled breeding cycles in confinement systems contribute to achieving this output.

Other options suggest a wider range than is typical. For instance, producing five to ten or ten to twenty litters is generally not feasible under standard management practices, as this could lead to diminished health and productivity over time. Each of these ranges goes beyond what is sustainable for average sow production, which is why the identified range of four to five litters is considered the most accurate and realistic.