This group of baby pigs is referred to as a litter of pigs. The sows are kept in farrowing crates which are designed to protect the piglets from being crushed when the sow lies down. The piglets are kept in this crate with their mother until they are weaned from the mothers milk to solid food. Here the pigs typically feed on a diet of corn and soybean meal. Once the hog has reached the targeted market weight, it is then sent to be slaughtered.
Many farmers raise hogs under contract.
This means the farmer raises the hogs and then sells them to one particular processing company. Some farmers raise hogs and then market or sell them on their own. Processing companies come to these farms with large trucks and take the animals to the slaughterhouse. These trucks are often big, loud, hold up traffic and may even deposit mud and dirt on the roads. Be patient if you encounter a livestock truck.