The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: hot hog on May 17, 2010, 09:41:09 pm

Title: AI Pigs-do many of you usw AI on yr holding
Post by: hot hog on May 17, 2010, 09:41:09 pm
i have a lovely pedagree berkshire boar on my holding but only one bershire sow. he has been with all my GOS gilts and my saddle back all with good results. but i do have two Pedagree GOS gilts and now thinking about a pedagree GOS seman how many of you have Used AI and what sort of results did you get and where did you get it from Cheers
Title: Re: AI Pigs-do many of you usw AI on yr holding
Post by: Hilarysmum on May 18, 2010, 09:06:25 am
My friend always uses AI.  She has never had a miss with GOS semen. 
Title: Re: AI Pigs-do many of you usw AI on yr holding
Post by: TheCaptain on May 18, 2010, 11:36:05 am
I did one of the GOS girls in March, got the technique a bit wrong and had no results.  three weeks later, try again, she's in pig and due on 4th August!  Will let you know the results.

We use Deerpark pedigree pigs based in Northern Ireland (do a google), i believe it's the only place you can get pedigree rare-breed semen from in the UK, and is supported by the RBST.  Very effecient service, costs about £26 for three pots of the 'magic pig potion' as my son calls it.  Probably cheaper than using a boar without the associated move standstills and transport headaches.
Title: Re: AI Pigs-do many of you usw AI on yr holding
Post by: Hilarysmum on May 19, 2010, 09:22:38 am
Far, far cheaper than keeping a boar.
Title: Re: AI Pigs-do many of you usw AI on yr holding
Post by: h1ghlands on May 20, 2010, 03:14:33 pm
Hi
I use AI every month from Deerpark and others, it works really well.  Have had some smaller litters of 6 but also litters of 15 or 16.
We do keep a boar too, this is handy for detecting the right timing and they do stand for you whilst talking to him through gates but i have done it without the boar and this has worked as well.  Good luck
Title: Re: AI Pigs-do many of you usw AI on yr holding
Post by: daniellestocks on May 20, 2010, 03:30:29 pm
Used deerpark also, an excellent service, very helpful and informitive over the phone
Well worth a try
Danielle