Author Topic: Ideas on getting a boar to work  (Read 4444 times)

nelson

  • Joined Jan 2011
    • lelogisfrance
Ideas on getting a boar to work
« on: November 21, 2012, 09:32:00 am »
 :wave: I have a 1 year old OSB boar. He fails to complete the "act".  He is very keen on the foreplay but then when he is about to mount and it seems that he forgets the next step. I put an experienced GOS sow with him yesterday on her last day of cycle - he was very interested but failed at the last step.  She was very good to him - standing well. I took the sow out of his pen this morning as it didn't seem any point in leaving her. My next thought would be to get a slightly smaller gilt (which I have) and who seems up for it when she is on heat. Other than that I am running out of ideas. I have 2 OSB gilts waiting in the wings - he has had a couple of attempts at them but again failed on the last jump. As I am in France not easy to go down the road and get another boar. So would appreciate any thoughts.


Many thanks from a frustrated OSB owner and thanks from a probably frustrated OSB boar.


Lorraine

Tudful Tamworths

  • Joined Aug 2009
    • Liz's website
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2012, 10:13:49 am »
Is he actually mounting her, or is he too short? If he does mount, you might have to - quite literally - give him a "helping hand" to hit the right spot the first time.
 
Alternatively, put him with smaller sow/gilt first and let him learn with something more his own size. Make sure the ground is flat and dry, to avoid any slipping.
 
Good luck,
Liz
www.lizshankland.com www.biggingerpigs.com
Author of the Haynes Pig Manual, Haynes Smallholding Manual, and the Haynes Sheep Manual. Three times winner of the Tamworth Champion of Champions. Teaching smallholding courses at Kate Humble's farm: www.humblebynature.com

kja

  • Joined Oct 2012
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2012, 10:17:36 am »
has he ever been put in with a sow/gilt and they turned on him ? if yes he could have been put off is not unusual in young boars.

supervised matings with young boars are a good idea rather than running the boar with the sow/gilt.

are his legs good a boar with bad pasturns can be reluctant to work boars need good strong legs.

could he have injured his penis in previous attempts they can suffer fractures.

try him with a gilt under supervision make sure he hits the target they sometimes need guiding on the first attempt.

we have recently used a willing in mind young boar on bigger gilts the first attempt he hit the wrongun if you get my drift so we guided him out and back in then went around the beck of him so his rear rested on my legs so he could not fall out/off, it looked strange when dad walked around the corner and there i am in a threesome with 2 pigs  :roflanim: it was worth it though he is going to be dad on 2nd jan (his first bday). his next attempt was unaided and again going to be dad 19th jan

we can still learn if we are willing to listen.

nelson

  • Joined Jan 2011
    • lelogisfrance
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2012, 12:12:34 pm »
Thanks for the advice/support - will try one of our Berkshire gilts - she is due this weekend.  If he doesn't start - will have to put the OSB  gilts with our Berkshire boar - just to get them started too.  Will keep you posted.

bloomer

  • Joined Aug 2010
  • leslie, fife
  • i have chickens, sheep and opinions!!!
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2012, 03:31:32 pm »



wine, roses and some gentle music????

onnyview

  • Joined Dec 2009
    • onnyview free range produce
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2012, 04:36:56 pm »



wine, roses and some gentle music? ???



What? No Barry White? :love:

Are you sure he's not done the job already? My face still reddens when I remember an old sow I had for B&B and I was CONVINCED she had not stood for the boar....she later produced a litter of 13.
Give your boy a bit more time, but really, if he has sows and gilts that are big enough for him and standing he should be doing the job....
Onnyview free range produce- Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Hill Radnor and Llanwenog sheep.

www.onnyview.moonfruit.com

nelson

  • Joined Jan 2011
    • lelogisfrance
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2012, 04:47:36 pm »
Result ;) ;)  Esmae our Berkshire (experienced) sow came to the rescue and got Jim going.  :thumbsup:

Tiva Diva

  • Joined Mar 2011
  • Scottish Borders
    • Thornielee Cottage
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2012, 07:07:22 pm »
Can't beat an older woman  ;)

Mrs Snoodles

  • Joined Aug 2012
Re: Ideas on getting a boar to work
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2012, 11:01:16 pm »
A match made in piggy heaven.

 

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