What is a Sow?

A sow is the adult female of a species of pig, though the term is also used for the female of other species of animals, such as bears, wolves, and boars. Among domestic pigs, sows are generally kept for breeding and to produce litters of piglets. The word sow can also be used to mean “to plant,” since this is a task that sows often perform to scatter their litters of piglets.

History of Domestication

The wild boar, one of the progenitors of today’s sows, has been a hunted species around the world since ancient times. The species was domesticated around 7,000–10,000 years ago, when humans began to keep sows for their meat, hides, and fur. Some sows were also kept for their milk, eggs, or as beasts of burden, and over time these animals were crossbred with many others, resulting in the many breeds of sows found today.

Uses for Sows

Today, the main use for sows is the breeding of piglets, which are then raised for their meat, milk, and hides. Sows are also used to produce pork, sausages, bacon, and other pork products. In some countries, sows are used for medicinal purposes and as a protein source in the diets of low-income families. Sows are also kept as pets.

The term sow is also used to refer to a woman who is the matriarch of a farming family, a female leader, a breeder of livestock, or a woman who is particularly skilled at a craft. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the term sovereign was often used to refer to a female ruler, though this usage has fallen out of favour.

Conclusion

A sow is an adult female pig, often kept and bred for the purpose of producing litters of piglets. Sows are also kept for their meat, milk, and hides and are used to produce pork products, medicinal items, and other food sources. The term is also sometimes used to refer to a matriarch of a farming or family, a female leader, a breeder of livestock, or a woman who is particularly skilled at a craft.