[Azzdodd]

I've been looking at buying 2 gilts been offered 2 9 month old gilts but I'm just getting some info before I commit. What age do I put her in pig? My sheep it was depending on size some ewe lambs went too the ram so waited till shearlings is it the same with pigs

[Bodger]

Nine months could be OK but it does depend upon how well grown they are for their age.

[Azzdodd]

Wouldn't put her right in pig but is was thinking feb/March time depending on if I can find a boat close enough or I have thought about AI?

[shygirl]

9-10 months is the usual so that they are over 12mths at farrowing. bear in mind most people will want weaners in april, and after aug, they are alot harder to sell as people want them finished by xmas and away from the farm before winter/mud strikes.
unless you have an established market for meat - i wouldnt plan on winter litters as they are so hard to shift and you may be left with alot of mouths to feed.

id try getting her in-pig asap if i was you and you'll capture the weaner market for june if you are lucky (if she takes first time). by the time you notice and start recording her seasons in time for organising a boar/ai, shel be 10 mths anyway.

[Bodger]

I actually find that pork sells pretty well during the winter months. I don't like processing pork during the hot summer months.

[shygirl]

I actually find that pork sells pretty well during the winter months. I don't like processing pork during the hot summer months.

i meant weaners, as opposed to pork.
what are your plans azzdodd? are you wanting to sell weaners or pork? if its pork then there is no time pressure aslong as you have a good freezer.

[Azzdodd]

Abit off both really I have a really good market for the lamb I sell so if I price the pork right sure I could sell that too. I'm gonna go and see them anyway and go from there ?

[shygirl]

if you not in a hurry then 12-14mths is a nice age for the first mating. they have grown a fair bit and will be able to stand for a mature (heavy) boar. much older and they will run to fat and be harder to get in-pig.

what breed have you chosen?

[Azzdodd]

These are saddleback which I really like cause they have a good fat covering. And they cross really well with most boars from the weaners I've had

[Berkshire Boy]

I tend to wait until they are at least a year old. Getting them pregnant earlier than that can hold their growth back.

[Tiva Diva]

We put our OSBs to the boar at 10 months. Haven't noticed it holding their growth back: they're both as big as I'd want them to be. If you're using a boar that's really huge, it might be kinder and safer for them to be a bit bigger. If you're planning on using AI, be aware that it has a reputation for not being very reliable in a gilt.
Good luck!

[Marches Farmer]

I agree with Berkshire Boy.   Earlier than a year they've not finished growing themselves and you'll need to use a young boar - some mature ones are huge!

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Hi
We keep large black pigs and we waited till they were 2-3 years old before we put them in pig. It really gives them time to grow. I currently have 3 large black gilts at 3 years old at the moments, which are for sale. Would you be interested?
Thanks

[hughesy]

I think most people in the UK would be of the opinion that it would be very difficult if not impossible to get a three year old gilt in pig. Also three years of feeding and tending with no return doesn't make much economical sense to me.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

They have not been put in pig before because we have been trying to find a boar for them, however I have heard that they need to be put in pig before 3 years old. I am selling them so that someone else can either kill them for meat, or put them to the boar.
Thanks