[lesley51]

   hi everyone, im Lesley, new to all this and about to have two OSB gilts and start the great journey of keeping these great pigs     I am looking for an OSB boar local or reasonably local to Alston Cumbria so my ladies can come visit. Is there any body in my area that has one for hire? thanks 

[harmony]

You could contact the BPA or the OSAB society to see who local breeders might be and then you can contact them direct. Are they registered gilts and how old are they? Often a mature boar can be too big for gilts. Not everyone will take visiting gilts/sows. Sometimes people are happy to let a boar visit gilts/sows.


You may find there is no-one that close to you but fingers crossed. You need to know what lines your girls are so you can check if the boar is too closely related.

[SallyintNorth]

Hi there Lesley!     Glad you found the forum 

If nothing turns up in the shape of an OSB boar, someone may have one of another breed that you could use for the girls' first time.

After that, you could use AI - Deerpark now do keep OSB semen.  Mind, you'd have to check that the boar(s) they have aren't too closely related, of course.

Best of luck!

[Rosemary]

Cath Livingstone, Thornielee, Galashiels breeds OSBs and has two boars atm.

[SallyintNorth]

I think I'm right in saying that Lesley wasn't wanting to buy a boar as she hasn't the wherewithal to keep one on.  It was me that suggested seeing if she could send her new ladies to a boar, or have a boar visit, as people tell me it's more difficult to get gilts in pig when it's their first time.  (And yours!)

I should have said, that although I have only been successful once (out of a number of attempts  ), I am happy to come and give you a hand if you do decide to go the AI route.  Other commitments allowing, of course.  And provided the pigs are tame and happy to be fondled

[harmony]

I agree with Sally's comment about using a different boar if you can't find what you want. Hopefully, you have some time to look but it is better to get them in pig than leave it too long looking for a OSB and risking them not getting into pig at all


AI is an option but can be tricky especially with first time gilts and more importantly first time owners. If you go down this route a local knowledgeable pig keeper will be an asset. You have to get it just right to order your semen so you have it when your pig is standing.


Good luck 

[Small Plot Big Ideas]

Welcome Lesley from a fellow North Pennines pig keeper! 


We're also looking to start breeding for the first time later this year with our Tamworths...

[lesley51]

Thank you for all your helpful replies, yes sally by all means please come and help if AI is our route to go, and I certainly agree on using a different breed just to get the girls started. They are a year old now so sooner the better!!...   
yes contacted the OSB society and haven't had a lot of luck regarding local    the gilts are Dandy and Gloria, contacted Deerpark and there OSB boar is a jack but of course need to read all the lines!
wow a lot more than you think to all this 

[debbigord]

Hiya!
How exciting- you are going to have hours of fun.
We have 3 OSB ladies we have raised and we used Deerpark AI. 2 from 3 of our girls have had their first litter now, although we are struggling to get the third one to take and I seem to spend my life looking at pigs vulvas!
This forum is a wonderful place for advice - I was so jittery when my first girl farrowed and the advice and support was great.
Enjoy your piggies