The question of an average pig weight does not have a single answer because the term “pig” encompasses a wide range of animals, from the smallest newborn to a massive adult boar. The species Sus scrofa domesticus and its relatives vary drastically in size based on genetics, age, and the purpose for which they are raised. Factors like breed, age at processing, and whether the animal is wild or domesticated create variations in body mass. The weight of any individual pig is best understood within the context of its life stage and its role in production.
The Standard Commercial Weight
When most people ask about the average pig weight, they are typically referring to the market hog, the animal raised for meat production. This weight is called the slaughter or market weight, and it represents the point at which the animal is most profitable to process. Commercial producers target a live market weight that is significantly heavier than in past decades due to improved genetics and feeding practices.
In the modern commercial farming system, pigs reach this target weight at a relatively young age, typically between five and six months old. The average national market weight for barrows (castrated males) and gilts (young females) in the U.S. is approximately 270 to 285 pounds (about 122 to 129 kilograms). This weight is the result of carefully managed feed intake and genetic selection, often involving breeds like the Yorkshire, Duroc, and Landrace.
Global market weights show some variation, reflecting different consumer preferences and production efficiencies. Producers in the European Union and the United States tend to market their pigs at a heavier weight, often around 130 kg (286 pounds) live weight. In contrast, countries like China traditionally market pigs at a lighter weight, closer to 105 kg (231 pounds). Production efficiency drives the industry’s focus on maximizing this market weight before the cost of additional feed outweighs the carcass value.
Weight Based on Age and Purpose
The market hog weight is only one point in the pig’s life cycle, and weights change dramatically from birth to full maturity. Piglets are born weighing about 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.4 kilograms). These neonates grow quickly, reaching a weaning weight of 13 to 15 pounds (5.9 to 6.8 kilograms) by the time they are about three weeks old.
After weaning, pigs enter a nursery phase, where they continue to grow until they become “feeder pigs,” reaching an intermediate weight of approximately 40 pounds (18 kilograms). This stage prepares them for the final growth phase before they become market hogs.
The heaviest animals in a domestic herd are the mature breeding stock, which are maintained for years to reproduce. A mature sow, a female pig that has had at least one litter, can easily reach a body mass of 240 kg (529 pounds) or more, depending on the breed. Breeding boars, the mature uncastrated males, are consistently the largest animals on a farm, with older boars averaging 344 kg (758 pounds) or sometimes exceeding 375 kg (827 pounds).
Comparing Domestic and Wild Hog Weights
The domestic pig’s weight profile contrasts sharply with that of its wild counterpart, Sus scrofa, which includes wild boars and feral hogs. Wild swine weights are far more variable, primarily dictated by diet availability, climate, and local genetics rather than controlled feeding schedules. Wild pigs generally do not achieve the weights of commercial breeding stock, which benefit from selective breeding for size and constant, high-energy feed.
In North America, the average adult feral hog weighs around 180 pounds (82 kilograms). Males are somewhat larger, averaging 200 to 220 pounds (91 to 100 kilograms), while feral sows usually weigh between 150 and 170 pounds (68 to 77 kilograms).
Eurasian wild boar, the original ancestors of domestic pigs, also display a broad range of weights across their native habitats. Adult wild boars can weigh from 66 to 272 kg (146 to 600 pounds), with the largest specimens often being older males in areas with abundant food. While domestic pigs are engineered for heavy, fast growth, the weight of wild swine reflects a leaner, more robust build necessary for survival in diverse natural environments.