[sausagesandcash]

My Tamworth boar is getting a little boisterous, he's eight months old and everytime I go into his enclosure  he tends to tussle with me. Not immediately, it has to be said, but generally if I stop rubbing his back. He tries to push me around with his head and neck. It all seems rather playful, and it has to be said that we have always been rather tactile with them since their arrival. Also, when the kids are in the enclosure with me he never horses around with them. Indeed the oldest boy will often lie on his back as he moves around grazing. My question is should I discontinue rubbing his back, and the ensuant horseplay with him, as I fear that soon I will no longer be the dominant male  He is breeding stock, so he'll hopefully be around for awhile (assuming he can do the business!), and I don't relish the tought of ending ar*e over elbow everytime I go near him as he gets older. What are your opinions?

Regards,

Morgan

[doganjo]

I know nothing about pigs except that they are apparently very intelligent - which often makes me reluctant to eat them...................... 

I know about dogs though and you can certainly have a rough and tumble with even the biggest of mastiffs, provided you have put in place a command/training right at the beginning as puppies.  They must obey that command every time - and only if they do that will you have the alpha position in the pack.  If a dog is to be used for breeding it is even more important that you have that control.  If you can turn this guy off as well as on then you should be fine, but it sounds like maybe you are not confident you can do this.

[ukag0972]

He needs to learn who is boss as they work on the same heirarcy system.
I would still handle him but as soon as he gets boisterous then a tap on the nose and a loudish NO!! This should be used even by the kids as they are above him too!
You need to be confident in doing this as a clever pig will pick up any insecurity. If it helps then use a small crook stick but only use minimal force.
If your pig is clever he'll learn very quickly where he is in the order.

[doganjo]

Aha, I have learnt that pigs have the same rules as dogs   I suppose it makes sense as they run in packs in the wild, don't' they?

[dixie]

You need to train him as to who's boss, and quick while he's still young, I make my young boar 'wait' by his feeding pallet, this was by pointing and saying 'go on' when I arrive with food, open the gate to enter, as soon as he comes to me I say 'No' and 'go on' until he gets the idea, he now waits for me! its a usefull tool when you simply dont want to 'play'! be very careful with children (personally I dont allow children in with him now) they and you can get torn by his tusks simply by him brushing past you! never underestimate him and always respect the fact that he is a boar. always have an easy escape and dont take him for granted! may sound a bit OTT but boars can be very dangerous when you least expect it!

[Hilarysmum]

Sadly Dixie is right, I have the scars on both knees from when our very well handled tamworth boar thought he was the boss.  Train him now, and once he gets tusks keep the kids out, accidents do happen.   Sorry to be so negative.

[VSS]

Our VERY large white boar is very calm and laid back, BUT he has big, sharp tusks and weighs over half a tonne. As a rule, we dont go in the pen with him unless absolutely necessary, although he gets lots of fuss and scratching etc over the wall. He could lay a leg open with his tucks just by rubbing his head on you. You have got to respect any animal that is that big and strong and take no chances.

It wasn't long ago when a local farmer was seriously injured by his boar.

[Hilarysmum]

Even more important he must respect you. 

[sausagesandcash]

Happy to say that the pecking order has been restored. Thanks for all the advice. It was invaluable, as always.

Regards,

Morgan

[snowcloud]

I have a Tamworth with a similar full character! If he gets too much, then I 'bark' at him, like a loud cough, which really makes him jump; it's supposed to mimic the warning shout of the pigs themselves, you can hear them doing it sometimes and they do react to it. I like the idea of training them with the food though... must try that too...

[Farmer]

PLEASE remember that ALL PIGS have the capability to KILL...love, them, pet them, cherish them, but above all respect them...don't let children think they are safe harmless toys...they are not...I spend hours building a rapport with my pigs and have spent many a happy time frolicking and playing with these fantastically intelligent creatures...but I always remember the old saying " a dog treats you as its master, a cat treats you as its servant and a pig treats you as its equal"...and as such can also see you as a threat or a potential conquest!

People are killed by pigs every year...PLEASE don't take chances or allow others to be put at risk...above all its not fair on the animals!

Sorry to be such an old fuddy-duddy but I would hate for someone to be harmed or injured in anyway.

Best wishes
Farmer
 

[sausagesandcash]

So what you're saying really is that I should only send the wife in to feed the pigs 

[Farmer]

or mother-in-law if you have a sense of humour