We are also mini-smallholders with just two sows, and the unpredictability of litter size, from 2 to 15, as well as gender mix, can be quite a worry when trying to plan ahead. We can usually sell our surplus weaners easily, but this year has been very slow for no obvious reason other than the atrocious weather, and then you can get left with one girl and several boys, or the other way round, and the problems of how to pen/house them - so do be prepared for anything. We do just one litter a year, farrowing approx May, which is a good time for Christmas meat. They don't seem to get infertile in between. Nevertheless, the joy and pleasure of breeding has been immeasurable, watching your tiny piggies all the way through from birth to slaughter, and worth every bit of sleepless night anxiety as far as I am concerned. Best of luck - Tamsaddle