Author Topic: boys vs girls (Read 2908 times)

yankieGirl · « **on:** April 17, 2011, 06:32:40 pm »

does it matter whether you raise girls or castrated boys for butchering? Any differences?

oaklandspigs · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2011, 06:58:55 pm »

No difference to really think about.

Uncastrated males grow faster than females, not sure if castrated retain some of that trait.

Otherwise up to slaughter weight, boys are as easy to keep as girls.

HappyHippy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2011, 09:22:54 pm »

I'd agree with Oaklands, really no difference to speak of. If they've been castrated you shouldn't get taint. Gilts can sometimes be a bit of a pain depending on how early they start coming into season - this is when they're likely to break out, going looking for some lovin'

and they tend to suffer piggy PMT (I think) and be a bit noisier than boars. The one obvious advantage with castrated boars is when the time comes for slaughter you're less likely to think "well, we could just keep them and let them have a litter" and chicken out of sending them

cos we all have those thoughts now and again

HTH
Karen x

yankieGirl · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2011, 01:29:05 am »

Thank you for the info!

I love this site!

loosey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2011, 09:30:45 am »

I have a preference !

I like the girls! I like that they always seem to have more of an attitude ... same with horses, I always prefer mares ... sometimes I walk down to the yard in the morning, take one look at Bella and we both know we're going to come to blows that day. It's the same with Daisy

Cantankerous and stroppy one minute and dribbling over you for scratches the next (My OH says she's like me

).

Stevie G · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2011, 02:12:53 pm »

I think that applies to most species including humans.

Sudanpan · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2011, 08:35:33 pm »

We have 3 gilt weaners this year and they certainly have more get-up-and-go than the 4 boys last year! And they are alot more vocal - they greet me with sort of chortling noises when I come up to their field. However they also insist on nibbling my legs/feet/shins/shoes which the boys never did