[White Ridge Farm]

Hi All

If opting to initially go the pet (long term employed land clearance specialist) pig route what would be peoples recommendations with regards to going male or female? The choices therefore would be either an all castrated male group, all female gilt (never has and never will have piglets), all female sow (had piglets at some stage but never will again) or a combination of the aforementioned.

I have no intention of breeding from these stock so do not need a gilt / sow from that perspective. Are there any long term health issues associated with keeping a female pig that will never have piglets? I have heard that their fertility drops if they are not regularly mated, which (for me any way) would not be an issue as long as it does not otherwise affect their general health. Would castrated males generally be more settled as they will not be experiencing any hormonal surges that a female pig may encounter when coming into season periodically?

I am guessing that the answer will be any combo that does not involve intact boars should work ok but just curious to hear what peoples opinions are. Many Thanks.

Best Regards

White Ridge Farm

[SallyintNorth]

Nature being nature, I'd always opt for the nutted boys in that scenario.  No possibility of accidents or hormone-driven escapes . And no hormonal moods, either

[Backinwellies]

I can't really see why you would even consider anything but 3 castrated males.

[Womble]

long term employed land clearance specialist

I'm afraid if you're going to issue the pigs with employment contracts, it's illegal to discriminate on grounds of age, sex, sexual orientation, motherhood or the presence of testicles.   
  .
Have you thought about taking them on as short term contractors instead? 

[White Ridge Farm]

Dependent on the job market, any future cohabitees of the first lot will likely be on shorter term contracts.