Author Topic: teats on saddleback (Read 2486 times)

c day · « **on:** March 06, 2010, 09:46:39 am »

hello everyone,
We had a litter of saddlebacks at the start of the year and ive noticed that the females in the litter have only 12 teats each, ive since learned that the boar had 12 teats also, our sow has 14, just looking advice would the girls be good breeding stock or would we be better to wait fot 14 teat girls. thanks

dixie · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:53:16 am »

If its the same as gos they should have 14 to meet the breed standard, I wouldnt breed with anything less, is there a website for saddlebacks, look on there for the breed standard.

oaklandspigs · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2010, 06:37:04 pm »

Agree with Dixie, 14 or more are preferable, though 12 is part of the saddleback standard.

I would typically look for 14 teats for a breeding female, but you can breed from a 12 teat - only a problem if they have large litters.

Boars are "half the young", so the number of teats on the boar affects the offspring, so you should look for a boar with 14 or more as well.

Mr Pig · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2010, 09:42:52 am »

The Breed Standard for the Saddleback calls for a minimum of 12 teats. Whilst more is preferable, you shouldn't discriminate against otherwise excellent pigs because they onlt have the 12 called for. The Saddleback site is www.saddlebacks.org.uk where you can find the Breed Standard and other useful information.

Malc · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2010, 07:12:20 pm »

Twelve is accepted for Saddlebacks, but my advice is to hang on for a gilt with 14. Our last litter was 13 and the sow was hard-put to keep them all happy, even with 14 teats.