Definition

1. Noun:

   • A litter of pigs: A group of baby pigs born to a sow at one time.
   • The act of giving birth in pigs: The process or event of a sow delivering her piglets.

2. Verb:

   • To give birth to a litter of pigs: Used specifically for a female pig (sow) delivering her young.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The sow had a large farrow of twelve piglets.
  • The farmer was pleased with the health of the new farrow.

• Verb:

  • The sows usually farrow in the spring.
  • We expect the pregnant sow to farrow next week.

Advanced Usage

• "To farrow down": (In specialized farming contexts) Refers to the process of a sow giving birth and the subsequent care period.
  • After the sow farrows down, she needs a quiet and clean environment.

Variants and Related Words

• Farrowing (n/gerund): The action or process of a sow giving birth.
  • Farrowing can be a stressful time for the sow.
• Farrowing crate/pen (n compound): A specialized enclosure designed to protect piglets during and after birth.
  • The sow was moved into the farrowing crate before she was due.

Synonyms

• Litter (n): A group of young animals born to an animal at one time.
• Piglet (n): A young pig. (Note: This refers to an individual, not the group.)
• Give birth (v phrase): The general act of delivering offspring. (Note: "Farrow" is the specific term for pigs.)

Related Phrases

• In farrow: (Adjective phrase) Describing a sow that is pregnant.
  • The in-farrow sows are kept in a separate pen.

Noun

1. the production of a litter of pigs

Verb

1. give birth
   • sows farrow