A farrowing stall is a special pen used for sows (mother pigs) while she farrows (gives birth) and for a short period after. It’s designed to keep baby pigs safe and provide special, individualized care of the sow. These individual maternity pens help keep the sow from accidentally laying on top of her pigs. Farrowing pens also give the baby pigs an area, under a heat lamp, where they can keep warm while allowing the sow to remain cool.

While the exact time a sow (mother pig) spends in a gestation stall will vary from farm to farm, a number of sows spend a significant amount of their pregnancy in individual pens (gestations stalls). These pens are used so that individual sows can be fed relative to their individual needs and to reduce the impact of aggressive behaviors seen in group housing. Every farmer does things a little differently. Some farms are now removing sows from gestation stalls after they are confirmed pregnant. Sows and their pigs will stay in an individual maternity pen for about 3 weeks, until the baby pigs are weaned.

While the exact time a sow (mother pig) spends in a gestation stall will vary from farm to farm, a number of sows spend a significant amount of their pregnancy in individual pens (gestations stalls). These pens are used so that individual sows can be fed relative to their individual needs and to reduce the impact of aggressive behaviors seen in group housing. Every farmer does things a little differently. Some farms are now removing sows from gestation stalls after they are confirmed pregnant. Sows and their pigs will stay in an individual maternity pen for about 3 weeks, until the baby pigs are weaned.

Pork producers do not ever use hormones in raising pigs; the FDA prohibits hormone use in market pigs. Therefore, the claim “no hormones added” cannot be used on the labels of pork unless it is followed by a statement that says “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”

There is no harmful antibiotic residue in the pork on your plate. Texas farmers work closely with veterinarians to keep pigs healthy and use antibiotics responsibly. Any pigs that receive antibiotics must follow a strict withdrawal period to ensure the medication is out of their system before entering the food supply. Testing for antibiotics is done to confirm that pork remains a safe, healthy food choice.

Without a doubt! Pork is safe to eat with a blush of pink in the center. In fact, we’d bet that you will enjoy it more when cooked to medium degree of doneness. Properly cooked pork is cooked to 145 degrees, removed from heat and allowed to rest for three minutes before slicing. Pork today is very lean and shouldn’t be overcooked. The best test of doneness is to use a good quality thermometer to check the internal temperature of your pork.