[pin]

How old was your oldest sow to farrow?
 
Have you let a sow live into retirement and to what age?
 
We have a very happy 6 year old sow who we love dearly and have let her enjoy the summer after her last litter left in May.
 
The question for us is how long can we keep her before there is a greater risk of illness or injury. This is not a question of finances but sentimentality.
 
Culling at an abbatoir would be less traumatic than the worst case scenario of illness and ending her life on site. But when? AAARRRGGGHHHH! Crystal ball required.

[HappyHippy]

Our oldest sow to farrow was 8 - she did fine  We only took the decision to send her off because she struggled to maintain condition coming into the winter, no matter how much feeding she got (Large Black)
The older they get the quicker the fertility drops though, you might find you struggle to get her back in pig after a long break and litter size will decrease too 

If she's happy, doing well and you want to keep her then do  You'll know when the time comes for her to go.
HTH
Karen

[pin]

Thank you Karen,
 
That is a very helpful and reassuring reply.
 
 Doreen is a Large Black too. No sign of her litters decreasing though, she had 11 survive of 13!
 
 

[Eastling]

Can't add anything but had say love the name and think we need a picture of her 

[RaisinHall Tamworths]

We have two Tamworths who are litter sisters and are 7 & half now. We have just weaned Doris, she had seven piglets and Daisy has just gone in with the boar. They are both fit and well, keep good condition and raise a nice even litter, although Doris' last isnt the biggest they are good piglets  . We are far too sentimental with the older sows! Moanie was due to go to market and I ended up putting her in with Colin the Hampshire boar instead of in the trailer one morning  . She had four piglets. Lovely meat pigs but only four of them, they have been weaned now. I said to OH she really should go so she is back in with Colin 

[HappyHippy]

I said to OH she really should go so she is back in with Colin 

Oh you sentimental so and so Jodie  (but I hear ya  )

[pin]

Here's Doreen doing what she loves best. Apart from eating.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151689794354353&set=pb.640924352.-2207520000.1380095334.&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151559815679353&set=a.10151198433054353.454733.640924352&type=3&theater

[Fowgill Farm]

As someone who had a 'retired herd of a 5yr & 7yr old sows (sadly now passed on) and still have a 9yr old GOS boar   i can only add that as long as she is happy, well & content, let nature take its course. Our last sow died in her field in the deep grass and the fallen stock people were lovely when they came for her.
all the best mandy

[Eastling]

Lovely pictures Pin, just how contented every pig should be.

[Tudful Tamworths]

Many can go on producing for years, but with smaller litters. Health problems like arthritis can become an issue, as they can't stand for the boar. Older sows can be prone to prolapses - but then, I had a two year old that had one.
I've got a 6 year old in pig at the moment (she won Tamworth Champion of Champions at the weekend) and, fingers crossed, she is in good health and I'll let her carry on as long as she seems fit and healthy. I'd like to think she'll live out her days here and then we'll get the digger out and excavate a huge grave in the orchard.

[roddycm]

I don't have pigs myself but my neighbour does. I was round at his the other day looking at all his grogeous free range girls thinking how much I want a hampshire sow! I asked him and he like the rest of you said it depends on how they cope but he showed me one huge girl with 8 piglets and said "she's 14 this year!" Probably more of an exception than a rule but shows its possible for them to be productive into their teens. He has a dairy and reckons they are so healthy cos he gives them a bit of milk everyday... Who knows!