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Training AI Boars:
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House young boar in
pre-training/acclimatisation pen for isolation period of 30 days.
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Proceed with any
necessary health checks.
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Introduce collection
stool to boar?s own pen.
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Leave in the pen and
allow the boar to investigate the collection stool by himself, although keep
an eye on him.
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If the boar mounts the
collection stool, slowly enter the area and talk to the boar.
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Stimulate his sides,
testes and prepuce and try to collect from the boar, talk and give
encouragement all the time (see collection instructions).
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Do not leave an
uninterested boar with the collection stool for more than 20 minutes
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If he has not worked do
not treat with food, however, provide vocal support.
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If the boar has worked,
treat with food and vocal support.
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Repeat from #4, four
times a week until the boar readily allows you to collect semen.
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If the boar is reluctant
to mount the collection stool allow him to watch another boar being worked.
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When a boar has allowed a
collection, collect the next day and then rest for the rest of that week.
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Work boar once weekly for
4 weeks, then place on standard work rotation (minimum rest 4 days, maximum
rest 14 days).
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A mobile stool used for
training. Note these tend to be smaller and lower than the stool used in
the collection area. |
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Training Boars (general notes)
- Training of boars is probably the most frustrating part of
running an AI center. If possible obtain trained boars from the
breeding company.
- Ideally start with boars which are less than 8 months old.
Training can take 3-4 weeks and occasionally some boars are never
trained. Personally I find that it is easier to train boars which
have not be group housed at puberty or boars which have served
naturally. Leaving boars older than 10 months old before first
training has also caused difficulties.
- It is imperative to get the boar to associated the collection
room and process with a pleasurable experience. Boars that
experience pain will be very difficult to collect and can be
potentially very dangerous. It is critical to avoid any rough
handling and even raised voices can put boars completely off.
- There is no easy way to train a boar.
- Avoid sudden movements and remain calm and collected. This can
be very difficult.
- Ideally I prefer the boar to train himself by leaving him
alone (under discrete observations) and let him mount the
collection stool himself. If the collection stool and collection
area/own pen is well constructed without sharp points he is
unlikely to come to any harm.
- If the boar shows no interest in the collection stool
encourage by gently but firmly nudging his head towards the
collection stool. Rub and pat the collection stool. Try sitting on
the collection stool. Talk to the boar all the time.
- Once the boar mounts he will usually start thrusting
movements. At this stage gently, but firmly rub the prepuce with a
gloved hand. The boar may express some surprise the first time and
stop trusting. Persevere. Be sensitive, but in control. The boar
will gain more confidence in the procedures.
- If the boar dismounts when attempting to collect allow his to
dismount. Allow him to resettle and remount and start again. Talk
and reassure him. Be his friend.
- If the boar repeatedly dismounts when attempting to collect
him from the side. Allow him to mount and stand directly behind
him and reach forward to massage the sheath and apply pressure
with your legs to his rear. Allow the penis to erect and continue
massage. Once the erect is more secure, then move slowly around
the side and continue collecting without causing the boar to
dismount.
- It is not imperative to collect the semen in difficult boars
it is more important to achieve a comfortable secure erection and
ejaculation.
- If the boar shows no interest in mounting see section on
failure to mount.
Boars Which Fail To Mount There are times when boars
fail to mount either young boars or boars which quite suddenly
lose all interest. Initially, try to ease the animal and regain
its confidence in the collection procedure. However, there are
times when this does not work. It is possible to chemically
stimulate the boars reproductive behavior. Using Lutalyse or
Dinolytic:
- This is a natural PGF2a product. The artificial products do
not work as well. It creates an overriding sexual behavior
response in the male. Inject the boar in the neck with 5 ml
Lutalyse and wait 20 minutes. Normal dose for a female is 2 ml.
- After 20 minutes introduce the collection stool into the
boar pen and encourage him to mount and collect. It is
imperative to talk and reassure the boar. Do not rush his
collection and ensure he enjoys the experience.
- Failure to respond to Lutalyse is common and no more than 3
injections is advised.
Using PG600:
- PG600 is a mixed female hormone. It creates a overriding
sexual behavior as described above. Give a double dose in the
neck and observe the boar over the next 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes introduce the collection stool into the
boar pen and encourage him to mount and collect. It is
imperative to talk and reassure the boar. Do not rush his
collection and ensure he enjoys the experience.
- Failure to respond to PG600 is common and no more than 3
injections is advised.
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