Crossbreeding using a PBP sow?

[Dirtslinger]

Certain animals (cattle/goats etc) understandably have serious issues birthing when the father is of a larger breed.
Has anyone had experience breeding a regular sized meat hog to a PBP sow? Can she handle this or is that just looking for trouble?
I imagine breeding her to a young boar would be the only option as well.

Thanks.

[dezeeuwgoats]

I did the opposite - and bred a pbp boar to a regular size sow. This is what I've learned so far....

I selected one boar and three gilts out of the resultant litter. I have six piglets born a couple weeks ago now from crossing the sibs. All three gave birth easily, but not being experienced with pigs, put the wrong gilt (guessed wrong who would farrow first) in the farrowing pen, and one gave birth in the community pen and the boar and barrows killed the babies, I think. The other two are raising their piglets together, sharing nursing duties.

All the F1 and F2 piglets were fairly uniform - which surpised me. I expected a wider range of body types, not the blending of characteristics so soon. I am selecting for a farm pig type body - length, width, faster growth, etc - on a shorter, smaller pig. At one year old these pigs are about 150lbs on average.

We are butchering one of the barrows tomorrow morning. This one was culled due to a lard type body - more fat. The other barrow just didn't grow as quickly. I was going to cull the gilts based on mothering qualities - as they all look decent. The one who didn't get to raise hers due to my error, is the nicest looking conformationally. She will get another chance.

I am considering breeding all the sows again, then castrating and butchering the boar. I would keep a boar piglet out of this second generation to continue on with. I am waiting to make sure that the little boars are at least the equal of their sire first. I can't tell when they are in the 'cute' stage. I really like the F1 boar at this point - he turned out pretty close to my 'ideal'.

I do have two pb pigs, a gilt and a sow, and am planning on breeding them to one of the
f2 generation boars as soon as he is able to do the deed. IMO - I wouldn't cross a pb sow with a farm pig boar, but my sow and gilt are tiny.

Niki

[Dirtslinger]

That's what I would like to try, only the only PB "breeder" will not sell males intact. Sows- no problem....
I've only been corresponding with the breeder through email as of yet, but can already tell they are a 'pet pig' breeder, I must be careful not to mention the actual plan for these piggies.
The closest shelter also "adopts" out altered pigs so that won't work either.

Thanks for your experience there!
Anybody else try breeding a big meat breed to a PBP sow?