The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: u06jgg on May 10, 2017, 10:17:10 am
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I have recently acquired 4 GOS/Berkshire cross weaners. They are all whole boars and about 5 weeks old though one looks a bit older. The vet offered to castrate, but I'd rather not. I think they are a bit grown up for it now? They are currently in a 10x10m pen but will probably move to a 1/4 acre later. One will be going to a BBQ in a month, so only really 3 to think about. The rest will be killed out at weight at about 6 months. So i'm wondering what to expect with their behavior, both with respect to each other, and to myself. Last year I raised a Kune Kune guilt and barrow and they were friendly like dogs.
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The last time we had weaners we had 3 gilts and a boar. The boar never caused any issues. He did get noticeably bigger than the gilts. We sent them off at about 8 months. I'm not sure if it will be different when its all boars, I'd expect that as they're not getting up to full maturity the testosterone may not kick in in time to give you problems. There will be many more on here that have a lot more experience than I do though and may know otherwise.
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You should have no problems at all, they will chase, play and tussle with each other, which is normal behaviour for both sexes. The more attention you give them the quieter they will be.
My top tip: get them used with the trailer so it is not scary, feed them in it every so often and they will literally run into the back, this will save you a lot of hassle on the day they go away. I trailer-train mine from weaning, so it takes two minutes to load up on the abattoir trip.
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I agree. They may get a bit more lively as they near slaughter weight but the pecking order will be well established and without any gilts to show off to and plenty of room to play around in they should be fine.
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I wouldn't expect any aggression at all! I like to either keep all girls or all boys, especially is their slower maturing breeds. I imagine as soon as the gilts start to come into season there will be a surge in testostorne and then I'd understand if he became agressive/protective.
I have to walk through my pigs enclosure to get to their trough and sometimes when their big they can be a bit boistorous and I've been nipped a few times. I carry an old snapped poly post, and give them a tap to keep them away
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Thanks for all the replies. Between these and the opinion of a local pig farmer running 70 boars and 90 sows together with no issues, I think I will just let nature run its course.
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As the others have said, they should be daft rather than dangerous, only your wellies are at risk of attack :)
I'm curious about the one going for BBQ at around 10 weeks old, though- I've got 10 week old Landrace (so naturally taller and longer) and I can't picture them filling a grill yet!