The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: nelson on April 03, 2012, 10:40:38 pm

Title: When to get OSBs in pig
Post by: nelson on April 03, 2012, 10:40:38 pm

We have two OSB gilts born  3 August 2011 -we also have  a OSB boar approx same age and size waiting in the wings.

With our Berkshire gilts we got them in pig at 10 months farrowed at 13 months. The OSBs are bigger and due their 3rd cycle - do we wait until they are 10 months - this is a new breed for us and would welcome advice.

Thanks

Title: Re: When to get OSBs in pig
Post by: Tiva Diva on April 04, 2012, 06:25:50 am

We put our OSBs to the boar at 10 months. They are a bigger pig and need that time to get their growth.

Title: Re: When to get OSBs in pig
Post by: nelson on April 04, 2012, 07:22:48 am

Thanks Tiva Diva

We have them planned for the boar then just wanted to make sure.  :wave:

Title: Re: When to get OSBs in pig
Post by: Fowgill Farm on April 04, 2012, 09:09:47 am

OSB's very like GOS and i wait until 10mths gives them chance to grow up a bit both size wise and in maturity!
mandy

Title: Re: When to get OSBs in pig
Post by: nelson on April 04, 2012, 10:00:06 am

Thanks - although I have a OSB boar (imported one and two gilts fom UK) I noticed on the OSB website that they now have OSB semen in Deerpark, which is great news for us here in France.

Quite taken with the OSB  :love:

Title: Re: When to get OSBs in pig
Post by: Tiva Diva on April 05, 2012, 09:13:20 pm

OSBs are a lovely breed! Good natured, biddable, excellent mothers, good growers, not as inclined to put on excess fat as some rare breeds. Also, while they do dig, they're not as destructive to the ground as some of the long-nosed breeds. They make great pork or bacon, and they look lovely! Obviously I'm a total OSB fan! Best of luck with breeding yours!

Title: Re: When to get OSBs in pig
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 06, 2012, 01:48:03 am

Quote from: nelson on April 04, 2012, 10:00:06 am

Thanks - although I have a OSB boar (imported one and two gilts fom UK) I noticed on the OSB website that they now have OSB semen in Deerpark, which is great news for us here in France.

I hope you are right, but last time I asked (Christmastime) they said they'd given up getting an OSB boar to work other than the natural way.

I love my OSB girl, she's a fantastic mother, teaches me loads, and all our visitors love to see her run to their call.  She's a very laid back lady (except when hogging  ::)) although she does insist on proper courtesy and respect in 'her' domain. 

I had been advised to have her farrowing at about 12 months old, but failed to get her in pig straight away so in the end she farrowed at just short of 16 months.  Deerpark not having OSB semen we used British Saddleback and have been very pleased at the resulting weaners and porkers - one in the freezer now, great carcase and nice and lean, another two growing on for more bacon.  The people that bought my spare weaners have butched theirs already and have booked some more the same for next year  :thumbsup: