can we discuss pigs

steff bugielski · #1 03/22/09, 05:36 AM

I need some input. I got a bred sow 2 yrs ago. I know little about her except that she was bred.
She delivered 7 piglets last August. We kept 3, 2 sows and a boar. the 2 sows went on to have 12 piglets between them. We sold all piglets and one sow. Rebred her and butchered the boar.
She delivered 13 piglets although only one survived, bad timing it was too cold out.
Now do I get another boar old enough to breed with her now,piglet is 4 months. Or do I bring her to a boar to get bred, or do I find someone to AI her?
If I buy a boar I will need to keep him a way from her when she delivers. That means another house and pen.
I do have a market for piglets but not sure what is the best way to go.Any advice from some of you experts would be very appreciated.

Ronney · #2 03/22/09, 06:07 AM

Steff, if you feel you have an on-going market for weaner piglets, you need to do some thinking about how your going to deal with it in the longer term.

I've always found boars to be completely disinterested in the farrowing/piglet scenario and go about their business ignoring the whole process but being quite tolerant of little pip-squeaks biteing their ankles as the piglets get bigger and more adventuresome. However, from the management point of view, including feeding, as money allowed, the boars eventually went into their own paddocks with separate housing which allowed me to run gilts and sows together until farrowing time.

I prefer to keep my own boar/s because it means they're right there when I want them and I don't have to shilly-shally around taking sows to boars or mucking around with AI so I've set myself up so that can be done. However, you may not find it cost effective to feed a boar 12 months and for me that isn't an issue as I milk cows to feed pigs and also have access to pig food.

The other option is to buy in a young boar, use him then put him in the freezer and this might be a good thing for you until you've worked things out.

Cheers,
Ronnie

nomad7inwi · #3 03/22/09, 08:17 AM

I will also add that our boar was actually a "good father". He did nothing to harm the young piglets. He added his body warmth to the sow's after piglets were born. He would jump up just as quickly as the sow if he heard a piglet squeal. He did not attack piglets that were chewing on his ears. other thanregulating feed, and feed costs we had no issues keeping a boar with sows all the time.

**highlands** · #4 03/22/09, 08:27 AM

I second Ronney's comments. Keeping your own boar is very worth it if you've got three or more sows. Exact number will depend on how you feed. Pasture/hay is >90% of their feed so the cost to keep a boar is minimal for us - we keep three big boars for our 30 sows plus a few upcoming boars.

Any boar that doesn't have the temperament should go to the butcher.

Keeping your own boar improves your herd's health security by having a closed herd. Every time a new animal comes in it may bring disease. Something to consider.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org

steff bugielski · #5 03/22/09, 09:14 AM

Feed is not a real issue, I have goats milk to add and in summer all the free food they can eat.
So buying a nice boar and keeping him for boar duties is an good option. My concern was keeping him and the piglets separate.
I think i have an ongoing market for piglets. Now if I can just get her to deliver in march /April i will be in good shape.
Thanks