[Azzdodd]

My plan is too sell some weaners and keep a few to fatten an sell the meat I seem to have no problem selling pork or my lamb to friends and work friends. There is a couple off boars for hire here but to be honest not what I want too cross with the girls are welsh gilts and I want too either get them in pig too a saddleback or GOS ideally? You have a GOS boar there ATM bodger were did you find him? I'm not really put off by AI I bet once you crack it it's easy with the right equipment. Any help when it comes too it welcome 

[HappyHippy]

I have had livestock too know you will never retire :-) but i think the joys off keeping animals is worth it I'm gonna go for it and just wish me luck if not I like sausages anyway ? my next dilemma is do I buy a boar? I have tried too find local studs too not much luck.....AI? I've watched so many videos on it people would think I'm strange.....anyone have experience with it? This way I can experiment diffrent breeds for each litter

AI on maiden gilts isn't very reliable - why not buy in-pig gilts instead ? (Just don't move them 'til at least 6 weeks post service or 6 weeks pre-farrowing to minimise risk)
Or use a boar (any boar, wouldn't even need to be pure/registered) just to get the fertility cycle started and you can AI for future litters.
Where abouts are you ? There are bound to be pigs in your area.....you might just not have found them yet 

I wouldn't go buying a boar for just 2 sows, it's a big expense, unless you can pimp him out to other pig keepers around you? Their fertility increases the more they work, with just 4 services a year, you might find the litters aren't as big as if he was serving a pig every month 

[Azzdodd]

I do have a wanted add up currently for a boar too hire but no response as off yet. Sure enough I'm sure i find one the breeder only has there father so can't help me unfortunately

[Bodger]

I fetched him from Whitchurch on Monday. This is the second time that I've been able to borrow him. He's a real gent and the owners are great people too.

[Tamsaddle]

I don't know how big your Welsh gilts are, but Bodger's borrowed Patrick looks like a big fellow and might be too large for them and possibly hurt their backs.    It would be best if you could find a boar who is not that much larger than your two.    By the way, I have done AI on several gilts and always got lucky the first time of trying.   

[Azzdodd]

There big girls could hold most boars I think there in great condition true credit too the breeder. Bodger were do you keep pru you might have 2 girls turn up with you haha! I joke off course.....I will keep the add up if I get lucky with a decent boar then I'll go for it if now I'll try AI I've been looking at it doesn't anyone know roughly how much the AI KITS cost?

[Tamsaddle]

The kit comes with the semen and instructions, and doesn't cost any extra.   You get three bottles and three catheters, and the Deepark service is outstandingly good.   £17.00 a time, plus £7.35 carriage to ensure it arrives first thing the next morning following your order.   Seeemples, as the meerkat would say.

[Azzdodd]

Wow that is outstanding I take it you don't need to use all 3? Do I need to wait till they come in heat to order it or can I order it and store it?

[Tamsaddle]

Yes you should use all three.   They recommend morning, afternoon, next morning, or start with the afternoon session.   It cannot be stored but is viable for 5 to 6 days - also it must not be put in the fridge, and before using it you should warm it up to body temperature in a pocket.     The absolutely critical thing with AI is to get the timing right, only possible when you have watched heats coming and going every 3 weeks and know the exact pattern it will take the next time, and when, for each of the two pigs.   If you get the timing right, they will be entirely co-operative and stand still as statues while you do it.

[Tamsaddle]

Sorry I haven't answered your question properly.   You should order it exactly when their vulvas have got to a certain stage - as you have not yet got the instructions, I suggest you phone Deerpark and they will send you a set by post.   It's very informative, detailed and useful.    You always want to hope that you won't need to order on Wednesday, as they close for orders at 10.30 am as their local post office closes on Wednesday afternoons.

[Azzdodd]

Hi everyone I've been offered a tamworth x old spot boar he is only 7 months old but he is the price off a boar hire? Is he too young? I just want too use him to get the breeding cycle going really? I would then either re sell or send off for sausages

[Marches Farmer]

Not going to give you the best carcase.  7 months a bit young - if the gilts are bigger than him he could land awkwardly and injure his tendons.  Are you able to be there and only put him in with the gilts when they're cycling, so you can help him to dismount safely?

[Azzdodd]

Yeah I'm able too do that my other is option is AI I'm not planning on mating till mating till March time so I have a little time too look more

[Tudful Tamworths]

Give him a couple of months. I don't normally work boars until they're 10 months.


You may have to "assist"! Some young, first-time boars literally need a helping hand to get it right. If they have a couple of failed attempts, it can put them off breeding - a bit of a blow to the confidence - so do try and be there, just in case.


Don't put him in with her until you're sure she's in season, because a frisky young boar is like an annoying teenage boy. If he keeps pestering her and she's not ready, she might slip and cause a leg injury that could set her back a few months.

[Azzdodd]

Managed to secure a middle white boar on hire FOR FREE  just gotta pay too feed him and and for his transport ?