Porcas

Porcas are adult female pigs in the domesticated species Sus scrofa domesticus. The term is used in Portuguese to designate females that have reached reproductive maturity and are kept for breeding. In English, the equivalent is sow; the counterparts are boars (intact males) and gilts (young females that have not yet given birth). Porcas serve as the mothers of piglets and are central to commercial pork production as their offspring form the primary meat supply.

Reproduction in porcas follows a regular estrous cycle of about 21 days, with ovulation around estrus. Gestation lasts about 114 days, and litters commonly range from eight to twelve piglets, varying with breed and management. Lactation lasts roughly three to four weeks; piglets are weaned before the sow returns to estrus. Nutrition and health care support conception, litter viability, and milk production.

In production systems, porcas may be bred through artificial insemination or natural mating. Breeding programs select for maternal traits such as litter size, mothering ability, and piglet viability, while crossbreeding with terminal sires improves growth and carcass quality. Diets meet gestation and lactation needs with higher energy and protein; water is essential. Housing varies from farrowing crates to group housing in some systems, and welfare considerations guide management.

Across regions, porcas contribute to pork supply and are managed in diverse farming systems, from intensive operations to family farms. Regulatory and welfare standards influence housing, handling, and health practices, including vaccination and disease monitoring. Research focuses on reproductive efficiency, maternal behavior, and environmental impact while maintaining animal welfare.