[shankendfarming]

Hi

I have a couple of Tamworth sows and I wondered what age I should retire them from breeding.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance :-)

[harmony]

Generally a sow would "retire" when her litter sizes are no longer viable but smallholders often "ignore" the viability of breeding animals. So, it is up to you really. Obviously, how long a sow recovers after farrowing and rearing a litter or whether she can still stand for a boar are also considerations.

[Marches Farmer]

Perhaps not so much how long she can go on breeding but how long she can produce milk to raise the litter without turning into a coatrack.