Pigs are mammals, and female pigs (sows) produce milk to feed their offspring. This milk is essential for the survival and growth of their young, providing all necessary nutrients for their rapid development. Without it, piglets would not thrive during their initial weeks.
The Nature of Pig Milk
Pig milk is a nutrient-dense substance, differing in composition from cow’s milk. It contains a higher concentration of solids, including fat (around 8.5%) and protein (5.5%), compared to cow’s milk (3.9% fat, 3.3% protein). This rich nutritional profile provides the high energy and building blocks required for the rapid growth of piglets.
Immediately following birth, sows produce colostrum, a specialized milk rich in immunoglobulins (antibodies). Piglets are born with a limited immune system, so consuming colostrum within the first 24 hours is crucial for transferring passive immunity from the mother. These antibodies protect them from various diseases during their vulnerable early weeks. The composition of sow’s milk changes over the lactation period, adapting to the evolving needs of the growing piglets.
How Piglets Nurse
Piglets establish a distinct nursing behavior, characterized by a specific teat preference shortly after birth. Each piglet typically selects a “favorite” teat, often toward the front of the sow’s udder, and consistently nurses from it. This preference helps ensure all piglets receive adequate nutrition, reducing competition once teat order is established.
Sows typically have 10 to 18 teats, but the number of functional teats can vary. Nursing sessions are relatively short (10 to 30 seconds), but they occur frequently throughout the day, sometimes as often as once an hour. The sow often initiates nursing by grunting, and piglets respond by nudging the udder to stimulate milk let-down.
During nursing, piglets create a rhythmic suckling pattern, which stimulates the sow to release oxytocin, a hormone that aids in milk ejection. The competition among piglets can be intense before teat order is established, as they jostle for access to milk. Once a preferred teat is chosen, piglets will vigorously defend their position against littermates.
Why Humans Don’t Drink Pig Milk
The absence of pig milk in human diets and commercial markets is primarily due to practical and economic challenges. Sows are not easily milked compared to dairy cows; they are less docile, making manual or mechanical milking difficult and potentially dangerous. The anatomy of a sow’s udder presents difficulties.
A sow’s teats are small and numerous, often spread out, making them unsuitable for standard milking machinery designed for larger teats. Sows also have a lower milk yield per teat compared to cows, and their milk let-down period is very short (10 to 30 seconds). This brief window makes efficient collection incredibly challenging.
These factors combine to make the commercial production of pig milk inefficient and uneconomical. The labor required to milk a sow would be substantial, and the yield minimal, making it an impractical venture for large-scale dairy operations. While some sources describe pig milk as having a stronger, gamey flavor, the primary deterrents are logistical difficulties and high costs associated with its collection.