Yorkshire Pig Gestation Calculator
This Yorkshire pig gestation calculator finds the expected farrowing date instantly. Enter the breeding date to calculate the gestation period and view key milestones for this leading commercial breed.
Quick Answer
The gestation period for Yorkshire pigs averages 114 days — the classic "3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days" rule — with a normal range of 112–115 days. Litters average 12–14 piglets. Enter your breeding date above to calculate the exact expected farrowing date.
Yorkshire Pig Gestation Calculator
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The Most Popular Commercial Breed
The Yorkshire (also called Large White) is the most widely used commercial pig breed worldwide, prized for excellent maternal traits, large litter sizes, good milk production, and lean, efficient growth in offspring. It's also a foundational breed in most commercial crossbreeding programs, often used as the maternal line crossed with terminal sire breeds like Duroc for market hogs.
Large Litter Size & Mothering Ability
Yorkshire sows average 12 to 14 piglets per litter — a notably large litter size that's a core reason for the breed's commercial dominance. Well-managed, experienced sows can occasionally produce even larger litters. Yorkshire sows also carry a strong reputation for good mothering ability, including attentive nursing behavior and a lower tendency toward accidentally crushing piglets compared to some other breeds, which significantly improves piglet survival rates on commercial operations.
Feed Requirements During Gestation
Pregnant Yorkshire sows need a carefully managed gestation diet that avoids excessive weight gain (which can complicate farrowing) while still supplying adequate protein, energy, and minerals for the large litters typical of the breed. Feed intake is typically increased notably in the final third of gestation, when the majority of fetal growth occurs, and again sharply after farrowing to support milk production for 12-plus piglets.
Year-Round Breeding
Unlike many seasonal farm animals, domestic pigs including Yorkshires are not strongly seasonal breeders and can cycle and be bred throughout the year, which is a major reason commercial pork production can run continuous farrowing schedules rather than a single annual season — a significant operational advantage over strictly seasonal livestock species.
How Yorkshire Compares to Duroc and Landrace
| Breed | Avg. Gestation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 114 days | Best maternal traits, largest litters |
| Duroc | ~114 days | Terminal sire, excellent meat quality |
| Landrace | ~114 days | Strong maternal line, often crossed with Yorkshire |
See our general pig gestation calculator for all breeds.
How We Calculate Yorkshire Pig Gestation
The calculator uses the formula: Farrowing Date = Breeding Date + 114 days. The average is derived from published swine husbandry research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Porcine reproduction
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GestationCalc Editorial Team
Our editorial team includes animal husbandry specialists, veterinary consultants, and agricultural extension educators. Content is reviewed against peer-reviewed research and guidance from USDA, Penn State Extension, and the Merck Veterinary Manual.
Last reviewed: September 5, 2026