[Pebbles]

Is anyone familiar with the AI process with pigs?

Our two Oxford S&B gilts reach their best time for a first 'pregnancy' in May (don't laugh, I'm sure there's another term, but I can't think what else to call it!  ) and we are keen to start breeding. Being new to pigs (although learning REALLY fast) we are reluctant to rely on, or be in charge of a boar - we also don't know where to find one!

AI seems like our best option but -  Where do you obtain it? How do you use it? Does it come frozen? How is it delivered? I've read about using it every 12 hours over a 36 hour period? Do the pigs readily allow you to 'do it' to them? I've seen little balloon type 'things' advertised.

God, I've just read through this and it seems so lame - I think you can just about grasp what I am asking - help!

Pebbles (embarrassed she hasn't learned the correct terms yet  )

[rustyme]

Hello Pebbles,
                 I did put the info in a posting on the forum somewhere? but god knows where it is ? Anyway,    www.deerpark-pigs.com   does mail order AI for pigs their tel no is  028 7938 6287. I can't see a boar for the OSB's on their list in the RBST factfile 2008, but maybe they do have one available , or maybe it won't matter if the young are just for meat ? There is an article on AI in the latest ARK , the RBST members magazine. Hope that is of some use.
 
cheers

Russ  
  ps: the info is in the article http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php/topic,247.0.html

[Rosemary]

Um. Do the semen suppliers come and "adminster" it? If not, can I come and watch, Pebbles?

[Pebbles]

David says we'll be selling tickets - how many will I put you down for? 

[Pebbles]

Thank you for your link Rusty. I've just had a look and it's just what I've been looking for. I will phone them today.

Pebbles

[Hilarysmum]

Pebbles please keep us updated this is a fascinating thread.

[rustyme]

No problems Pebbles, glad it was of use.....let us know how you get on with it , looks like there are one or two who are interested !!!

[rustyme]

Just found this :
 http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/pigs/4555.html
 
it looks like it covers most things to succeed with AI...?   interesting reading anyway.

[Rosemary]

We'll have two tickets and a copy of the resulting book and DVD!

[Pebbles]

Getting desperate!

Been looking/ calling/ surfing for some Oxford Sandy and Black semen  without any success. Does anyone know of any companies or farms who supply this 'stuff'? The clock is ticking and I only have around three weeks to get some.

DeerPark Pigs suggested using another breed to cross with this 'first' time as they hope to have Oxford S&B in time for my girls second mating. Any suggestions on a good breed to cross with - Duroc and Tamworth were suggested to me but I don't have a clue how that would turn out.

I have had a message from Tony at Pigs Paradise and will call him back tomorrow - fingers crossed it's good news.

We're seriously thinking about buying a boar and a couple more gilts to allow us to get a litter or two every 3-4 months.

Rosemary, the video camera is charged, my latex gloves are at the ready, the wine is on standby and the lube is packed.  I hope it all still goes as planned with the AI as I am seeing it as a bit of a personal challenge.....mind you I'm getting a bit fed up with friends and family referring to me as a perv! 

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

pebbles

[Hilarysmum]

Try here

http://pigsinfrance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=75

[Malc]

Our first two weaners are from an Oxford/Sandy-Tamworth cross mother and Duroc AI boar (how ginger can you get?). They've been superb pigs. They are strong and healthy and have grown steadily.

Their siblings were slaughtered last week at seven months old and the carcasses without the heads were on average 200lb with just the right amount of fat. We're letting the two lads go on for another month or so for bacon.

While I'm aiming to getting a pure Saddleback herd going, I've asked around about crossing (the only boar on our island is a Tamworth). General opinion is that while Tamworths are fine for crossing with other rare breeds, Durocs grow quicker. As with everything in pig breeding, it seems you'll get a different opinion from everyone you speak to.

Let us know how you get on.

[Pebbles]

Thanks HM & Malc

The link you posted HM is really interesting - the step by step pics give me a bit more confidence. Deerpark have been really helpful, it's just such a shame they don't have an Oxford S&B boar.

Malc you've definately got me thinking the Duroc might be a good way to go (at least for this first attempt!) although my OH very much wants to build a breeding 'herd' (?) if we have crosses then they will all be for meat 

Rosemary I might pass on the GSR Geneconvertor 700 - are you sure that wasn't a motorbike you were reading about? 

[Miriam]

Hi Pebbles,
As this topic was last updated some months ago, I'm not sure you'll see this.  BUT.....we have 2 OSB Breeding Sows and you can't get OSB semen for AI.  You will need to trailer up your sows and transport them to the nearest boar.  This is and interesting experience - but totally do-able.

If you live in Dorset I can put you in touch with great people who have OSB boars.

cheers,
Miriam

[VSS]

Would coroborate the fact that you can't get OSB semen - but if anyone does find any please let us know.

Also, AI is not generally very successful with gilts - you'll get better results with natural service first time around. After that AI is generally pretty good in pigs. If you do decide to AI a gilt get hold of a proper catheter rather than one of the disposable jobs.