[Hilarysmum]

I just worked out how much it costs to keep the boar per day    1.70 euros.  This does not include any extra vet treatment, but does include wormer and anti parasite medication.  I wondered how this compared with UK prices.  I used the boar as he does not require extra feeding or treatment during pregnancy.

[gavo]

Hello,
Based on 6lbs of meal a day for spring, summer & autumn and 8lbs a day for winter and with 45g of panacur (precautionary) every 6 months. It works out at 89.5p per day for us. Haven't included any pour ons as we'd only treat as required.

Cheers

Gavin

[Hilarysmum]

Hi Gavin is that £ or euros?

[gavo]

sterling £


Cheers

Gavin

[Hilarysmum]

Thats a good price.

[MrRee]

So is it cheaper to keep a boar or use AI for you?   (not you per se,your pigs  )

[sausagesandcash]

As I recall semen from Deerpark is £20, so probably a good deal cheaper than a boar. Then again if you stuff it up......it could prove rather costly...and a bit messy on the wellies!

 

[carl]

i think I misread that first time,i was shocked.
I think you would need to get your boar to work a little to earn his keep. How many covers a year?
what would be a break even, profit number of sows to have with  a boar?

[gavo]

Hello,

We never wanted to go the AI route, preferring to keep things natural. As such we have two Tamworth boars and one OSB boar. When they do have company outside of their "regular" wives we charge £20 per service plus "B&B" at cost of feed.

Cheers

Gavin

[Hilarysmum]

I have 5 sows, its not really economic at these prices, plus he takes up a field to himself for a good part of the year.  Outside sows we charged 30 euros per sow plus 1 euro per day keep.  People disliked paying the euro a day for keep so we put the boar charge up to 40 euros and insisted they bring enough of their own feed to keep the sow. 

[gavo]

Hello,

We always ensure our boars have company. The sows run with them up until a week before farrowing. As our litters are always spread out our lads always have someone to snuggle up to at night.

Cheers

Gavin

[Hilarysmum]

We used to keep the boar with the sow until it was time to move her on her own.  The latest is a bit of a wimp, Hilary made his life a misery, she used him as a live fence tester.  Eventually she must have pushed too hard because he ended up on the outside.  He took himself off to a pen of gilts where he was very happy (and I wasnt).   Hence my costings of the boar, cost versus convenience. 

[nellie]

I think your prices are about right Hilarys mum

we would charge about the same or ask for a piglet from the litter

[Hilarysmum]

Hi Nellie thanks for that

[doganjo]

Same as my stud dog then - £500 or pick of litter