The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: mowhaugh on November 10, 2013, 07:17:03 pm
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So, we now have had the amazing Doreen, our Large Black sow for a week, and are all totally smitten. I am wanting some advice about getting her in pig. She is 6 years old, and in her previous home bred successfully and was a super mum. I am committed to breeding pedigree because I believe it is the right thing to do, but there are no LB boars very near us.
We have got an awful lot going on at the moment with a big SRDP project to put up a new shed with tight time constraints to claim the grant, lots of uncertainty re funding at my day job, older son about to start nursery school etc. etc. so I just can't get my head round getting Doreen to a boar that is miles away at the moment, and am off the whole idea of AI at the moment after bad experiences this year.
I am unsure whether the best thing to do is to just wait until next year - would probably be May, after lambing is over, to take Doreen to a LB boar, or whether it is a bad idea to wait that long when she is older - we could take her to a more local boar, but they would be cross pigglies, then go for a LB litter after that.
Hope that makes sense, thanks, Louise
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Hi
If your prepared to wait until next year for a pedigree litter then maybe think of getting a different boar sooner. Crosses can make very good weeners
Is she your only sow?
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AI isn't too scary to do with pigs ;) . I know you have had more downs than ups with it with other species but it is quite successful with pigs and if it didn't work first time although you have lost some money it isn't as bad as equine bills!! If she didn't hold to one go of AI you could always try the cross until you can get to a LB boar next year? I would try get her in pig one way or another though rather than leave her until next May, just to keep her working :) .
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If you wait a longish time she might have difficulty getting in pig. How long is it since her last litter? I would try to get her in pig asap. Crosses will make pork just as good as purebred, maybe better.
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That's grand, thanks. Jodie, I think I will be messaging you lots of idiot level questions about pig AI later on!
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Another thing to consider, especially with an older sow, is don't get too attached to her. It's not a pleasant thing to have to think about but what will you do if she can't get in pig? If you plan on giving her a home whatever happens that's fine, but round here a pig that doesn't pay it's way will be sausages.
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One of the problems with older sows is that although they can continue having large litters their food conversion rate become less efficient with age and they can struggle to produce enough milk, even if well fed.
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Where are you mowhaugh, as I have a registered Large Black Boar. Judy