Gilt vs. Sow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 16, 2024
A gilt is a young female pig that has not yet given birth, while a sow is elder female pig that has produced one or more litters.
Difference Between Gilt and Sow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A gilt is typically under a year old and has not yet been bred or given birth, used mainly for breeding purposes once they reach maturity. On the other hand, a sow is a mature female pig that has already given birth to one or more litters, playing a crucial role in the reproduction cycle of swine production.
While gilts are valued for their breeding potential and genetic contributions to future litters, sows are important for their proven ability to reproduce and often for their experience in mothering piglets.
Managing gilts involves considerations for their growth and development to ensure they are healthy for breeding, whereas managing sows involves maintaining their health through multiple pregnancies and optimizing their productivity in producing healthy litters.
The transition of a pig from a gilt to a sow occurs after she gives birth for the first time, marking a significant point in her life and value in commercial pig farming. Sows can continue to produce several litters, depending on their health and the practices of the farm.
In terms of physical appearance, gilts are usually smaller and less developed compared to sows, which are larger and show signs of physical maturity and previous pregnancies.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A young female pig that has not yet given birth
Elder female pig that has given birth
Age
Typically under a year old
Mature, having had at least one litter
Role in Farming
Valued for genetic contribution to breeding
Important for continued reproduction
Management Focus
Preparation for first pregnancy
Health maintenance through multiple pregnancies
Physical Appearance
Smaller, not fully developed
Larger, shows signs of maturity and pregnancy
Compare with Definitions
Gilt
Has not given birth and usually under one year old.
The gilts were separated from the older sows to receive specialized feed.
Sow
Continues to breed and produce multiple litters.
The farm's oldest sow had delivered five litters.
Gilt
Prepared for future breeding.
The veterinary care for gilts focused on optimizing their health for future pregnancies.
Sow
Mothering skills are developed through experience.
Older sows often show better mothering behaviors due to their experience.
Gilt
Less developed physically compared to sows.
It's easy to spot gilts on the farm due to their smaller size.
Sow
Managed for ongoing reproductive success.
Special care and nutrition were provided to the sows to support their reproductive health.
Gilt
A young female pig not yet bred.
The farmer purchased several gilts to expand his breeding stock.
Sow
Larger and more physically mature than gilts.
The sows were easily distinguishable by their robust forms.
Gilt
Important for introducing new genetics into the herd.
New gilts brought genetic diversity to the farm's swine population.
Sow
Female pig that has birthed piglets.
The experienced sow handled her litter with ease.
Gilt
Covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint.
Sow
To scatter (seed) over the ground for growing.
Gilt
Gold leaf or gold paint applied in a thin layer to a surface.
Sow
To scatter seed over (land, for example).
Gilt
Fixed-interest loan securities issued by the UK government.
Sow
To strew something around or over (an area); distribute something over
"The yard was sown with cement sculpture" (Ashley Warlick).
Gilt
A young sow.
Sow
To propagate; disseminate
Sow rumors.
Gilt
A past tense and a past participle of gild1.
Sow
To scatter seed for growing.
Gilt
Covered with gold or gilt.
Sow
A channel that conducts molten iron to the molds in a pig bed.
Gilt
Resembling gold, as in color or luster.
Sow
The mass of metal solidified in such a channel or mold.
Gilt
A thin layer of gold or a paint containing or simulating gold that is applied in gilding.
Sow
A female pig.
Gilt
Superficial brilliance or gloss.
Sow
A female bear, she-bear.
Gilt
(Slang) Money.
Sow
A female guinea pig.
Gilt
A young sow that has not farrowed.
Sow
A channel that conducts molten metal to molds.
Gilt
(uncountable) Gold or other metal in a thin layer; gilding. Category:en:Gold
Sow
A mass of metal solidified in a mold.
Gilt
Gold-colored paint or other coating.
Sow
A contemptible, often fat woman.
Gilt
Money.
Sow
A sowbug.
Gilt
A security issued by the Bank of England (see gilt-edged).
Sow
(military) A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, etc.
Gilt
A gilded object, an object covered with gold.
Sow
(ambitransitive) To scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).
When I had sown the field, the day's work was over.
As you sow, so shall you reap.
Gilt
A young female pig, at or nearing the age of first breeding.
Sow
(figurative) To spread abroad; to propagate.
Gilt
Golden coloured.
Sow
(figurative) To scatter over; to besprinkle.
Gilt
Simple past tense and past participle of gild
Sow
Obsolete spelling of sew
Gilt
A female pig, when young.
Sow
To sew. See Sew.
Gilt
Gold, or that which resembles gold, laid on the surface of a thing; gilding.
Sow
To scatter, as seed, upon the earth; to plant by strewing; as, to sow wheat. Also used figuratively: To spread abroad; to propagate.
A sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside.
And sow dissension in the hearts of brothers.
Gilt
Money.
Sow
To scatter seed upon, in, or over; to supply or stock, as land, with seeds. Also used figuratively: To scatter over; to besprinkle.
The intellectual faculty is a goodly field, . . . and it is the worst husbandry in the world to sow it with trifles.
[He] sowed with stars the heaven.
Now morn . . . sowed the earth with orient pearl.
Gilt
Gilded; covered with gold; of the color of gold; golden yellow.
Sow
To scatter seed for growth and the production of a crop; - literally or figuratively.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joi.
Gilt
A coating of gold or of something that looks like gold
Sow
The female of swine, or of the hog kind.
Gilt
Having the deep slightly brownish color of gold;
Long aureate (or golden) hair
A gold carpet
Sow
A sow bug.
Sow
A channel or runner which receives the rows of molds in the pig bed.
Sow
A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, or the like.
Sow
Place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth;
She sowed sunflower seeds
Sow
Introduce into an environment;
Sow suspicion or beliefs
Sow
Place seeds in or on (the ground);
Sow the ground with sunflower seeds
Common Curiosities
At what age does a gilt become a sow?
A gilt becomes a sow after she has her first litter, typically around her first year of age.
What is a gilt?
A gilt is a young female pig that has not yet bred or given birth.
Why are gilts important in pig farming?
Gilts are crucial for introducing new genetics and expanding the breeding capacity of a pig farming operation.
What defines a sow?
A sow is an adult female pig that has given birth to one or more litters.
How many litters can a sow have?
A healthy sow can produce several litters in her lifetime, often up to five or more depending on her health and the farm's management practices.
Can a gilt show maternal behavior before becoming a sow?
Gilts might exhibit some maternal instincts, but these are fully developed as they become sows and experience motherhood.
What are common health concerns for sows?
Sows can face health issues related to reproduction, such as complications during birth or infections post-partum.
How is the care different for gilts and sows?
Gilts require care focused on growth and preparation for breeding, while sows need support for ongoing reproductive health and care for their piglets.
How do farmers decide when to breed a gilt?
Farmers consider factors such as the gilt's age, weight, health, and genetic qualities before deciding to breed her.
What happens to sows after they stop breeding?
Once sows are no longer productive in breeding, they are typically culled from the herd for meat, depending on the farm's policy and animal welfare standards.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
