[mark_c]

Hiya,

We recently introduced a 2yr boar to our 1yr gilts.  They're very well socialised & the boy seemed no different: he loved a scratch & was so docile I could've probably brushed his teeth; I got in & played with them all most days for 2 or 3 weeks.  His mood changed when the girls came into heat so we steered clear, but I got cocky & got back in the pen about a week ago them before he had calmed down (he had served one gilt but the other one was still playing hard to get).  So, he trotted over, put his nose between my legs & gave me a nudge to say 'Get out!'.  I stayed on my feet but jumped out of the pen to safety.  I'd have got away with only a bruised ego if it wasn't for the fact that he still has natural (sharp) tusks.  Big gashes to both thighs, 1 hamstring muscle partly cut, ambulance, hospital, crutches. Not Good.

Anyway, lesson learned: we'll have him de-tusked & be much more careful!  My legs will heal.

2 questions:

Cutting the tusks off with an abrasive wire with handles looks easy enough but I'd want him knocked-out.  Can you get someone who tranquilises livestock to come & do that or does it need to be overseen by a vet (the vet wants £140 for the dentistry + £40 for the tranquiliser gun man which seems a lot all-in)

Will he still see me as a rival/threat?  His behaviour looks like it's back to normal (lazing around unless it's feeding time).  We'll move him to another pen when farrowing approaches but I'd like to be able to get in with them to look after the place & enjoy the animals again.

Thanks

[Bionic]

I can't answer any of your questions but just wanted to say OUCH. That sounds nasty. Hope you heal quickly

[Backinwellies]

I too thought ouch!!

 

[shygirl]

a lesson learned! rams/bulls/boars/stallions are all dangerous and need treating with respect at all times. pet the girls but never the breeding boys.
we never had our boar detusked. does he definitely need it? maybe if you used a stick and board and put him in a strong pen when cleaning out/feeding? we have a calf cattle crush which is ideal for pigs if injections are required.
just a thought.

[Barnsnap]

We detusk all of our boars if they need it.  Put a noose round the snout, they will pull back, then tie up to something very strong.  Cut the tusks off with the wire - its a quick job.  However we don't have any trouble with our boars but if they did behave like that they would be on a one way trip ...... sorry.  The chances are he will do that again when the sows are next hogging.   Always make sure you have a board and stick with you.  Please be careful  - you were very lucky and got off lightly.  Hope the recovery goes well.

[hughesy]

Nasty experience. Our boar is also very calm and not at all aggressive but we always treat him with caution and respect. They are so strong, a mere nudge from 300kg of muscle could be disastrous.

[HappyHippy]

Your vet might give you a dose of Stresnil for him (it's an injectable sedative) which will calm him down and make the job easier  Even if you have a buy a whole bottle it would still work out cheaper than his prices 

As for whether he'll continue to see you as a threat or hold a grudge, I doubt it - he was just getting you away from his ladies. As long as you give him plenty of space around the time when they're in season and he's active you should be fine.
Our Kunekune boar is a soppy thing - loves a good scratch and belly rub, but if there are gilts or sows in season you can see him 'treading' the ground when you go into the pen, it's just his way of letting you know he's the boss  He goes back to normal once the hormones have subsided.
You were very lucky - always take a board in when you're in with a boar 
Hope you're right as rain soon,
Karen

[Blinkers]

Where abouts are you Mark?

[mark_c]

Thanks for all the replies & best wishes!  Still can't stay up for long but stitches came out today & I got a thumbs-up from the doc :-)

Yes, we've had some stick/board experience so must actually buy some.  Doh.

Can anyone link me to the tusk-cutting wire tool?

I'm hoping to find someone local to knock him out (we're in Surrey)...or a bottle of the drug would be ideal if I can get a prescription.

Now our gilts are done we'd be OK with sausaging him, but there are only 13 working Mangalitsa boars registered with the BPA so we were hoping to make some money back by studding him if his behaviour can be managed, & we're keen to support the breed.

Cheers,

Mark

[shygirl]

Thanks for all the replies & best wishes!  Still can't stay up for long but stitches came out today & I got a thumbs-up from the doc :-)

Yes, we've had some stick/board experience so must actually buy some.  Doh.

Can anyone link me to the tusk-cutting wire tool?

I'm hoping to find someone local to knock him out (we're in Surrey)...or a bottle of the drug would be ideal if I can get a prescription.

Now our gilts are done we'd be OK with sausaging him, but there are only 13 working Mangalitsa boars registered with the BPA so we were hoping to make some money back by studding him if his behaviour can be managed, & we're keen to support the breed.

Cheers,

Mark

id give him another chance but take all safety measures and never ever trust him. we had a stallion who would stamp on you if he had the chance,  - concentrate 100% and he was fine.  accidents happen when our guards are down.

2 strikes and hes out. temperment is heredity. get a good thick strong board, the plastic ones are good. a piece of plastic gas/water pipe is sturdy, light and very handy.

[HappyHippy]

We bought our de-horning wire (and the handles) from Fearing
http://www.fearing.co.uk/search-results/default.aspx?type=p&search=dehorning%20wire

There's a good youtube video on dehorning - if you search "tusk removal chris impey" you should get to it  However it's with a fully concious Kunekune, if you're giving yours stresnil you'll not need to worry about the snitch or the restraint.

We did our boar yesterday, once the stresnil kicked in and he stopped snoring it was an easy and straightforward proceedure - but TAKE A BOARD IN WITH YOU 
Good luck and keep us posted   

[Marches Farmer]

We had to have our boar de-tusked before showing him this year.  Two of our vets came in, tried to corner him to do it without knocking him out but couldn't, so he was anaesthetised and they used the kind of motorised rasp they use on horses teeth.  It took 5 minutes and we took the opportunity to clean those hard-to-reach bits like inside the ears and the feet while he was under.  Total cost £75.

[mark_c]

Thanks guys.

Booked a vet for Monday week who's coming to sedate him with Stresnil & hold him in a noose while & cut off his teeth with a dehorner.  If it all goes well it should cost about £50 & I'll try to get some of the drug so I can DIY next time.

Oh, & I'll make sure we have boards!

[Shropshirelass]

I agree & would give him another chance but would de-tusk him & it's one of those things with livestock even the females that with young or in season females they are always going to be a bit out of sorts & that goes for even the most docile of animals - hope your wounds heal & you get some nice piglets x

[shygirl]

sounds like a good plan.
sex and babies bring the worst out in some beasties. my favourite pony would happily kill me if i went near her baby before its a week old. hopefully you can avoid it next time. remember the earplugs for the vets visit, if my pigs were anything to go by