Farrows

Farrows is used primarily in agricultural contexts as the plural of farrow, a term in pig husbandry referring to a litter of piglets born to a sow during a single farrowing. Farrow occurs when a sow gives birth after gestation, and litter sizes vary by breed, nutrition, and management. The concept of farrowing encompasses the event and its outcomes, including piglet survival and the sow’s health. On farms, attention to farrowing practices includes ensuring a conducive environment for newborn piglets, monitoring for complications, and providing colostrum intake in the first hours. Weaning typically occurs at about three to four weeks of age, after which piglets transition to starter diets.

Farrows also appears as a surname. In English-speaking countries, families bearing the surname Farrows may be found in genealogical and archival records, though the name has diverse origins and histories. The surname is distinct from Farrow, which is more common as a standalone surname.

Related topics include the term farrow itself, pig breeding practices, and broader livestock production terminology.