[bethjames]

Hi,
I'm soon to receive three OSB gilt weaners and whilst I have bred GOS's previously, I have done so using only AI. The only real experience with boars that I have is from an intensive system I worked on previously.
However, with OSB's, it is more difficult to come by semen for AI so I am looking towards purchasing a couple of boars in the long run once I have built up my herd.
Can anyone help by telling me what age an OSB boar is ready to be used for service, or what age they would purchase a boar at, especially to serve gilts?
I understand boar management (I'm pretty certain  ), just a bit rusty on the technicalities of the best boars and at what age.
Thank you
Bethan

[HappyHippy]

I'm afraid I can't really help with the age for boars - I'd imagine somwhere around 9 - 10 months, but a bit older would maybe be safer.
I do know that the RBST have links for GOS semen, maybe that would be a help ?
http://www.rbst.org.uk/stock-exchange/artificial-insemination

[bethjames]

Well, I used to get my GOS semen from Deerpark but OSB semen is few and far between although apparently a boar is being shipped out as temporary meausure, but I'm thinking of purchasing one or two boars to have and put on hire. I no longer keep GOS's you see, I've changed to OSB's for a bit of variety.

As an extra question to everyone, any ideas on how much you would expect to pay for a hire boar and how long would it be hired out for?

Thanks again
Bethan

[BadgerFace]

Hi Bethan

I pay £70 to send my gilts to a pedigree saddleback boar - that includes her feed/livery for one month & his service fee. I also have a friend with a LB boar that I can use, cost - a few pints !! I'm happy to use AI for the sows, but prefer to use a boar for my gilts.

I don't have enough sows to keep my own boar, and am happy to pay a fair price for a quality boar - after all they are not cheap to either buy or keep.

HTH 

[bethjames]

Hi BadgerFace, thanks for the information, very useful  . Bartering is always good fun!
Any ideas on costs for hiring a boar out rather than taking gilts/sows in, out of interest, or do you usually only send out your pigs?
Thanks again
Bethan

[BadgerFace]

I usually send my gilts out, as thats what the boar owner likes to do. But the going rate (in this area, Sussex) to have a boar in for the month is £30 per sow/gilt served. Very reasonable cost when a (non pedigree) meat weaner is a min of £40 here, though I've noticed ad's of late charging by the old system of pence per pound of body weight, i.e. 87p per 1lb = £57.42 for a 30 kilo weaner 

[BillyBerridge]

Hi Beth,

If you are looking to build up a herd of OSB's long term it will really pay you to have a boar of your own, As you know OSB's can be few and far between and taking gilts to boars can soon clock up mileage and hefty fuel cost's.

I would'nt be putting your gilts before a year old and i'd try to find a boar of a similar age, OSB Boars can grow in excess of 500kg believe it or not they get as bug as large white boar,

Sows can also get to ernormus sizes but dont normally get as big as the boar. The benifit with OSB boars is that there very steady and normally as soft as grease!

One draw back you may find is if you want to keep any of your own stock for breeding you may have to keep a few boars from different lines or change you stock boar and shed a few sows every few years to prevent inbreeding.

AI should be available soon though as Dearpark are getting some OSB stock boars.

[bethjames]

Thanks Billy and Badger,
Yes my long term objective is to have a couple of boars on site to serve my sows, (I used to deal with large whites actually, mixed with landrace) I was just wandering what age an OSB boar should be when it's ready to be used. And if, for gilts, it is better to have a boar of similar age so similar size and weight for her but not thoroughly proven, or a slightly older boar that is steady and proven?
Therefore, if I was going to have a couple of boars I'm looking at how much people would be prepared to hire them out for when I'm not using them, just to make them earn their keep a little.

Also, BadgerFace, so do you mean that if someone was to hire a boar from me (and take it to their property for a month) they would pay £30 per sow/gilt they use him on?
Thanks
Bethan

[BadgerFace]

Also, BadgerFace, so do you mean that if someone was to hire a boar from me (and take it to their property for a month) they would pay £30 per sow/gilt they use him on?
Thanks
Bethan

Yep, £30.00 per sow/gilt per month.  So two sows, one month £60, three sows two months, £180 

[bethjames]

Very useful
Thank you
I assume if you're sending the boar to another holding for them to serve their pigs, they also pay for the feed? Just as when a person sends their gilts/sows to my boar, I would pay for the feed.
Bethan

[BadgerFace]

I assume if you're sending the boar to another holding for them to serve their pigs, they also pay for the feed?

Yep, they pay for his feed. 

[winshamrarebreeds]

Hi,

If you are interested in buying a boar, we have a darkeye jack registered OSB boar,  he is very friendly (more like a dog) and has lovely markings.

Ring 01271 816284
Winsham Rare Breeds
North Devon

[bethjames]

Hi, sorry not even received my gilt weaners yet. 
May well be looking around in a good few months though, will keep you in mind perhaps. I was just fishing around for information on the ins and outs and feasabilities of keeping my own boars.
Thanks anyways
Bethan