Breeding sows or gilts with a boar
Preparation for service When training tick off |
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1 |
Remove
the boar from sight and sound of
the sow for at least one hour prior to breeding |
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2 |
Ideally
move the sow to the boar pen which also acts as a breeding pen |
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3 |
The breeding pen should be around 8m2
with excellent flooring. This is bigger than a normal boar pen which
only needs to be 6m2. |
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4 |
Slats
are not suitable. Peat or sawdust are ideal, but hygiene needs also to be very
good. Broken floors are to be avoided. |
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5 |
It is
also important not to have any
sharp projections into the pen,
this include drinkers, which if the pen is also a boar pen should be recessed
into the wall. |
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Mating procedure |
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1 |
The
sow should show a ‘standing reflex’ within 30 seconds of
meeting the boar. |
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2 |
Allow
normal courtship behaviour. Any noise should come mainly from the boar |
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3 |
The
boar should not have to chase the sow/gilt around until she is trapped in a
corner – the female is not in heat and the mating will be poor or worthless. |
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4 |
It
should not be necessary to assist the bar to mount. |
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5 |
Once
the boar has mounted, it is useful to check that the penis is correctly
placed into the vagina. |
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6 |
Once
the boar is locked, no further manual interference should be necessary |
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7 |
Do not
attempt to keep the sow or gilt steady during mating. If the
sow or gilt does not want to be mated, remove the boar and if necessary try
again after 1 hour of total removal of boar stimulation |
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8 |
During
mating, check that the anal reflex
occurs. The anus ‘blinks’ with
ejaculation. Failure of the anal
reflex implies that the boar is not ejaculating |
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9 |
The
mating should take 10-20 minutes. |
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10 |
A
fully satisfied boar will not reattempt to mount the female. A fully satisfied female will not allow
mating and may lie down. Leave the
female and boar for 10 minutes after mating. |
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11 |
Full
mating therefore will take about 30 minutes. Do not rush
mating, it is the key to profitable pig farming. |
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12 |
Gently
return the sow to her pen/stall. Thank
the female. |
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13 |
Record
service and score quality of service |
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14 |
If
this is the first mating, re-breed 24 hours later if the female passes the standing still reflex |
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Prepare
breeding area |
Sow
stands within 30 seconds, allow courtship |
Check
the penis is properly located |
Check
ejaculation using the anal reflex |