[Berkshire Boy]

The younger of my 2 boars (6yrs) has all of a sudden stopped catching my sows. He has always caught them first time but now he misses 3 seasons and my old boar (8 yrs) is having to go round and finish the job. I'm thinking he needs to go. What do people do with redundant boars.

[Beewyched]

Had he been "resting" for a while - it can affect fertility?  If he's thrown good litters in the past, would it be worth having him tested by the vet? (not that I'd want to do the collection process myself  )

Failing all that, sausages  - we've never had problems with "boar taint" even with a working (worked) boar. I believe you free-range too, so there's even less of a chance of it.  If you are concerned about it, some say freeze the meat before making the sausages.

Guess the problem may be finding an abattoir that will do him.

 

[kja]

market or cheale's. trade has been good all summer its fallen back as usual now. you might have to wait until the new year now to take him.

[Berkshire Boy]

No he has not been resting, he's had a busy year but I've ended up with half my sows not pregnant when they should have farrowed now.
I don't want to go down the market route, I would rather have him shot at home.
I will have a chat with the abattoir and see if they will do him and see what the meat is like after slaughter.
 

[Beewyched]

I don't want to go down the market route, I would rather have him shot at home.
I will have a chat with the abattoir and see if they will do him and see what the meat is like after slaughter.

I get what you mean about the marts - I'll NEVER forgive myself for letting 2 of my boys go that way    In all the rush of needing to move, I had naively thought that them being great breed examples & registered they'd go to good homes, but then found out later from the mart that the buyers didn't want their registration paperwork 

I'd definitely follow your choice if it ever happened again.