[gogogarden]

Hi
I have two young Berkshire boars coming up to 4 months old. One has shown quite a bit of interest in mounting the other which I have not paid much heed too until yesterday when it was 'willy-out' for a concerted effort. Never seen a pig willy before. I'm wondering whether this is normal (they're our third pair of boys and I've not seen it before) and whether it's a sign on early sexual maturity and hence whether I should err on earlier slaughter to reduce risk of taint.
Any advice out there?
Thanks

[Tala Orchard]

It happens but not a good sign if you are going to be using them for breeding, if you are going for meat this boar may be maturing early and you may want to think of an early trip to the butchers, or introduce a gilt or sow.

IMHO the reason you do not want this behavior in breeding boars is that they may get used to that position and may not then be able to get the right spot on a female.


Tala

[Berkshire Boy]

I wouldn't worry about it. It's what boys do.

[nelson]

Hi there - we raise Berkshires for meat - mainly boars. We often see this  - have just sent off a batch of boars - one of them was particularly busy mounting anything that moved (no gilts in with them) - no boar taint. Think they went about 24 weeks.


Regards

[Fowgill Farm]

Was in middle of repling to this when we had a power cut yesterday and have to say same as Nelson, just boys been boys, you find it more often with two pigs as one will always try to be the dominant one, thats why we tend to keep them in 3's, makes a more even playing field.
mandy

[Ina]

Same with animals as with humans: some prefer to be homosexual. I've seen rams that wouldn't do it for a female, but happily mounted another male.

But in any case, due to lack of female company they will take what they can get! Females do it, too...

[Berkshire Boy]

it's nothing to do with sexuality.

[Hassle]

If the future use is for breeding, then it is something to keep an eye on a male boar can get bad habits serving into the rectum another is masturbation.

However I believe these are for slaughter so just continue to manage with the good advice boys being boys.  One thing to be aware of though is the legs on the (wonders how to put this) 'taker?' as under developed legs can suffer taking the weight and transporting a lame animal is a no no.

[Derby_menagerie]

I had a gilt that was also mounting everything, gilts and castrated boars! I had a billy goat that would escape and jump in with the pigs (male) and ejeculate on them! You got to love animals!