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Hi all you experts out there!! We have the choice of 2 male weaners and as the idea is that he should do the servicing instead of us using ai, we would like as much help as poss in ensuring that we make the right choice.
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How to choose a boar for stud purposes
Started By
Cornish Gems
, 08 May 2012 20:44
#1
Posted 08 May 2012 - 20:44
Cornish Gems
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- Book Owners
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- 1,597 posts
Lord and Lady of the Manor
- LocationCornwall (formerly Devon)
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#2
Posted 09 May 2012 - 19:08
Andrewaz
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- Members
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- 18 posts
Chick
Hi CG,
They must have strong, well spaced back legs as these are crucial to successful servicing (ie not bending inwards or splayed even a slight bit).
They need a decent pair of testicles with no hint of a scrotal hernia ie same size, firm and good oval shape (otherwise one testicle may not have dropped).
Teat numbers and shape are genetically passed on by the boar so a perfect set of teats is crucial, We have 2 stud boars with perfect teats and their offspring is 99% perfect with teats even though a couple of my sows are not quite even etc. They must have 3 good sets of teats in front of their sheath, all evenly spaced, and not too far from the centre line. Depending on the breed they need between 12 & 16 teats. No supplementary teats either (small insignificant teats that are not quite right).
A good straight back is a bonus, vigour in growth rates, lots of energy, leanness (fat boars are too sluggish to work well), a calm & friendly temperament, plus looks as close to the breed standard if you want to sell decent breeding stock and show them.
If you are a member of the British Pig Association they have a really helpful booklet called 'Pedigree Breeding' which describes in detail all of the above.
Weaners are a difficult proposition as you don't know how they will turn out, be ruthless in culling them for meat if they don't turn out well. It may be better to buy a 4-5 month old boar, it will cost you more but you will have a fair idea of what you've got.
The advice I have been given by a very experienced breeder is not to keep a boar for more than 2 years otherwise their back legs go; your herd could become inbred, and they grow too large to handle effectively and need tusks trimming etc.
We keep 2 Tamworth boars & hire them out (very popular) because lots of people don't want to keep one (cost around £400 pa), and boars need to keep working or they will become lazy and potentially infertile.
Hope helpful, we know all about potential pitfalls with boars after having 3 that were less than satisfactory etc. Your boar is worth the equivalent of your sows so be certain you have a good specimen. Also getting rid of a boar past their sell by date is tricky because the market for them is very small etc.
If you want a laugh come & see me showing one of my boars at Royal Cornwall Show!
Angela
They must have strong, well spaced back legs as these are crucial to successful servicing (ie not bending inwards or splayed even a slight bit).
They need a decent pair of testicles with no hint of a scrotal hernia ie same size, firm and good oval shape (otherwise one testicle may not have dropped).
Teat numbers and shape are genetically passed on by the boar so a perfect set of teats is crucial, We have 2 stud boars with perfect teats and their offspring is 99% perfect with teats even though a couple of my sows are not quite even etc. They must have 3 good sets of teats in front of their sheath, all evenly spaced, and not too far from the centre line. Depending on the breed they need between 12 & 16 teats. No supplementary teats either (small insignificant teats that are not quite right).
A good straight back is a bonus, vigour in growth rates, lots of energy, leanness (fat boars are too sluggish to work well), a calm & friendly temperament, plus looks as close to the breed standard if you want to sell decent breeding stock and show them.
If you are a member of the British Pig Association they have a really helpful booklet called 'Pedigree Breeding' which describes in detail all of the above.
Weaners are a difficult proposition as you don't know how they will turn out, be ruthless in culling them for meat if they don't turn out well. It may be better to buy a 4-5 month old boar, it will cost you more but you will have a fair idea of what you've got.
The advice I have been given by a very experienced breeder is not to keep a boar for more than 2 years otherwise their back legs go; your herd could become inbred, and they grow too large to handle effectively and need tusks trimming etc.
We keep 2 Tamworth boars & hire them out (very popular) because lots of people don't want to keep one (cost around £400 pa), and boars need to keep working or they will become lazy and potentially infertile.
Hope helpful, we know all about potential pitfalls with boars after having 3 that were less than satisfactory etc. Your boar is worth the equivalent of your sows so be certain you have a good specimen. Also getting rid of a boar past their sell by date is tricky because the market for them is very small etc.
If you want a laugh come & see me showing one of my boars at Royal Cornwall Show!
Angela
#3
Posted 14 May 2012 - 07:38
Cornish Gems
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- Book Owners
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- 1,597 posts
Lord and Lady of the Manor
- LocationCornwall (formerly Devon)
Thanks Angela.
Next question - what sort of prices do you all charge who are renting out their boars? We only ask because when we made enquiries about renting someone's boar, they wanted us to take the sow to them and then they would charge £50.00 B&B for each night the sow stayed there and they recommended 3 nights to give the greatest chance of success. This is why we started using AI as it was only £20 total for 3 straws and bottles.
Next question - what sort of prices do you all charge who are renting out their boars? We only ask because when we made enquiries about renting someone's boar, they wanted us to take the sow to them and then they would charge £50.00 B&B for each night the sow stayed there and they recommended 3 nights to give the greatest chance of success. This is why we started using AI as it was only £20 total for 3 straws and bottles.
#4
Posted 14 May 2012 - 19:03
Andrewaz
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- Members
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- 18 posts
Chick
Our boars always go to the farm that the sows live at.
We charge £50 for 6 weeks hire plus diesel to deliver him (prefer to transport him ourselves as we know how to handle him & we are fully insured etc). We usually cap this at £30 but limit ourselves to South Devon & Cornwall. The holding he is hired to covers the cost of his food while he is there.
The girls for mating must be isolated for 3 weeks prior to the arrival of the boar from other pigs on the farm & then the boar can go straight in with them. In reality our boars mostly go to holdings where there are only a few sows & he is there to serve them all so no problem with this on a practical level.
AI is really good when you get the knack of it & are able to keep a close eye on your girls to note when they are in season but it is more reliable to get a boy in to do the job!
I think the people charging such a lot for B&B are having to cover the costs of keeping their boar in isolation for 3 weeks before & after your sow has visited and not being able to bring any other animals on to or off their farm for at least 6 days etc.
We charge £50 for 6 weeks hire plus diesel to deliver him (prefer to transport him ourselves as we know how to handle him & we are fully insured etc). We usually cap this at £30 but limit ourselves to South Devon & Cornwall. The holding he is hired to covers the cost of his food while he is there.
The girls for mating must be isolated for 3 weeks prior to the arrival of the boar from other pigs on the farm & then the boar can go straight in with them. In reality our boars mostly go to holdings where there are only a few sows & he is there to serve them all so no problem with this on a practical level.
AI is really good when you get the knack of it & are able to keep a close eye on your girls to note when they are in season but it is more reliable to get a boy in to do the job!
I think the people charging such a lot for B&B are having to cover the costs of keeping their boar in isolation for 3 weeks before & after your sow has visited and not being able to bring any other animals on to or off their farm for at least 6 days etc.
