How Much Does a Pig Weigh? Farm Pig Sizes and Records

How much does an adult pig weigh?

The domestic pig keeps growing for two to three years, so an adult that is allowed to mature is far heavier than a typical market pig. In standard commercial and traditional breeds, adults generally weigh 140–300 kg (310–660 lb).

Breeding animals are the heaviest pigs on most farms. Mature sows that have raised several litters often weigh well over 200 kg (440 lb), and mature boars of large breeds such as the Large White, Landrace and Duroc can exceed 300 kg (660 lb). Males are usually heavier and more muscular in the head and shoulders than females.

How heavy are pigs at slaughter?

Farm pigs grow at a remarkable rate. A piglet that weighs about 1.3 kg (3 lb) at birth can gain close to 1 kg (2.2 lb) a day in the final months of fattening. Most market pigs reach slaughter weight at about five to seven months old.

Target weights differ by country and market. In the United States, market hogs are typically sold at about 125–135 kg (275–300 lb) live weight. In much of the European Union, slaughter weights are usually somewhat lower, commonly around 110–125 kg (240–275 lb). Some traditional products need heavier, older pigs: pigs raised for Italy’s Parma ham must be at least nine months old and typically weigh about 160 kg (350 lb).

Market weights have risen over the decades as breeds and feeding have improved. At the same time, farmers moved from very fat “lard-type” hogs, popular until the early 20th century, to the leaner “meat-type” pigs raised today.

How breed affects a pig’s weight

There are hundreds of pig breeds, and they range enormously in size.

• Large commercial breeds. The Large White (called Yorkshire in North America), Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire and Pietrain are the backbone of modern pork production. They are long, heavy pigs bred for fast growth and lean meat.
• Traditional and heritage breeds. Breeds such as the Tamworth, Gloucestershire Old Spots, Berkshire and Large Black are often raised outdoors. They usually grow more slowly than modern commercial hybrids but can still reach several hundred kilograms as mature adults.
• Small breeds. Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and the Kunekune of New Zealand are much smaller and are often kept as companion animals. The Göttingen minipig, bred for laboratory research, is among the smallest, with healthy adults typically weighing around 26 kg (57 lb).

Pigs sold as “teacup” or “micro” pigs are not a recognized breed, and many grow far larger than buyers are told.

How much do wild boar and feral pigs weigh?

The wild boar, ancestor of the domestic pig, is lighter than most farm breeds, and its size depends strongly on food supply. In most of Europe, adult males average about 75–100 kg (165–220 lb) and females about 60–80 kg (130–180 lb). Boar in dry Mediterranean areas are smaller, while those in productive parts of eastern Europe are larger. The biggest males in western and central Europe can reach about 200 kg (440 lb), and in northeastern Asia exceptional males have been recorded at 300–350 kg (660–770 lb).

Feral pigs, descended from escaped domestic pigs and introduced wild boar, are widespread in the southern United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most adults weigh roughly 35–115 kg (75–250 lb), although some large boars grow much heavier.

The heaviest pigs on record

The heaviest pig ever recorded was Big Bill, a Poland China hog owned by Elias Buford Butler of Jackson, Tennessee. In 1933 he weighed 2,552 lb (about 1,157 kg) and stood about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall at the shoulder. He was due to be exhibited at the Chicago World’s Fair that year, but he broke a leg and had to be put down. Poland China was then one of the classic heavy lard breeds.

Wild and feral hogs have also produced famous giants, often with exaggerated claims. The best known is Hogzilla, a feral hog shot in Alapaha, Georgia, in 2004. It was first said to weigh 1,000 lb (450 kg) and measure 3.7 m (12 ft), but scientists who examined the remains estimated about 360 kg (800 lb) and a length of 2.3–2.4 m (7.5–8 ft). Hogzilla was a hybrid of wild boar and domestic pig.

Even the heaviest pigs are much lighter than the largest land mammals. A hippopotamus, a distant relative among the even-toed hoofed mammals, averages about 1,300–1,500 kg (2,900–3,300 lb), and big bulls exceed 2,500 kg (5,500 lb), as shown in How much does a hippo weigh?. Weight also affects how long pigs live: very heavy pigs often develop joint problems, a topic covered in How long do pigs live?.