The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Gregoz on August 07, 2016, 09:00:17 am

Title: Gilt too old for first litter??
Post by: Gregoz on August 07, 2016, 09:00:17 am

Good morning!
I have a mate with two Tamworth gilts. They are between 18-24 months and he is yet to put them in-pig.
We were hoping to run one of my Iron Age boars with them in a few months when they reach maturity.
I know it's best to keep sows in-pig but wondered if a gilt can be too old to be put in pig and if so how old?
Thanks?

GB

Title: Re: Gilt too old for first litter??
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on August 07, 2016, 09:29:07 am

Gilts can get too old to be put in pig, it depends how old they are though. The older a pig gets without being put in pig the harder it becomes to put them in pig as the fat builds up around the ovaries. I would say go for it and see what happens. This is just my opinion though ;D

Title: Re: Gilt too old for first litter??
Post by: harmony on August 07, 2016, 09:37:59 am

The general rule of thumb is to farrow a gilt between 12 and 14 months of age. The chances after that reduce as WBF has said because of fat being laid down around the ovaries. How long have you been running the boar with them?


Traditional breeds are likely to lay down more fat from an early age and Tamworths can be deceptive as they may look quite lean but have a lot of internal fat.


Without an another boar to put them to your difficulty is deciding whether it is him or them. I would get them to another boar asap if you can.

Title: Re: Gilt too old for first litter??
Post by: Gregoz on August 07, 2016, 10:48:16 am

Thanks for the advice both.
My boars are only 5 months so need to wait at least another two/three before they are ready.
That's what I was wondering- if a gilt can go infertile if they wait too long as they are getting on a bit now

Title: Re: Gilt too old for first litter??
Post by: roddycm on August 07, 2016, 12:54:18 pm

I would get them covered asap by another boar and use yours next time. I'd run them for two cycles if you can just to be sure....

Title: Re: Gilt too old for first litter??
Post by: Marches Farmer on August 08, 2016, 09:31:10 am

I agree with roddycm.  Our new young boar turned out to be infertile and I ended up taking a 15-month old gilt to a hire boar as the replacement boar was a bit too young to work.  She was covered about 20 seconds after unloading and had a litter of 9 excellent piglets.