Key Points for Breeding Boars: A Must-Read for Efficient Pig Farming
Boars hold an important position in the breeding process of a pig herd. The purpose of raising boars is to give them good semen quality and mating ability so they can complete mating tasks. In order to give breeding boars good reproductive performance and improve the productivity of sows, here is an introduction to Efficient Pig Farming: Key Points for Breeding Boars!
1. Mating Time
The mating time of a boar has a certain relationship with its breed. For local breeds, the first mating should generally wait until the boar is 8 months old and weighs more than 60 kg before it can be mated, while crossbred breeds are generally about 10 months old and can only be mated for the first time when they reach 90 kg. The mating time must be chosen well. Mating too early will reduce the boar's service life, but if it is too late, the boar's libido will decline at that time, which will affect mating quality and, in more serious cases, may cause it to lose its mating ability.
2. Mating Frequency
Boars being mated for the first time cannot be used too frequently, because at this time the boar is still in a stage of development, and too much mating will affect its development. Generally, the normal mating frequency is 1-2 times a week. After the boar has fully developed, that is, at three to five years of age, it can mate 1-2 times a day.
3. Mating Principles
The biggest taboo is using a very large boar to mate with a small sow. In this case, the sow cannot bear the boar's weight, which will not only affect mating quality, but the small sow will also experience difficult farrowing during production, or the piglets will be difficult to raise after birth. The general mating principles include six combinations: small with small, small with medium, large with medium, large with large, large with medium, and medium with small.
4. Feeding and Management
The environment in which boars are raised must be clean and safe. Generally, the pigpen should be cleaned once every half rainy night to prevent the boar from carrying pathogens and then transmitting them to the sows. In normal times, the boar's life in the pigpen should be observed frequently to avoid some injuries to its limbs. At the same time, the boar should be prevented from masturbating as much as possible. If it is not prevented, its reproductive organs will be damaged by then, thereby affecting mating.
5. Mating Conditions
It would be better if there is a dedicated site for mating. If there is not, then try to use a place with relatively flat ground, and it must not be slippery. The site does not need to be too large, just suitable. The mating time of boars is generally 3-25 minutes. During mating, keep quiet and do not let other external factors disturb it. After mating is finished, be sure to let the boar move around on its own for more than ten minutes, then shut it back in the pigpen and feed it some warm water.
6. Living Standards
The living standards of boars must be good. The feed selected should ensure as much as possible a reasonable proportion of vitamins A, D, and E. Otherwise, it will cause boars to become obese, have weakened sexual function, and show slow responses. Therefore, you should go to a specialized feed store to scientifically mix the feed before raising them. The feeding amount should also be scientific: feed twice a day, and as much as possible just seven-tenths full.
The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to the key points for breeding boars. The physical constitution and quality of boars seriously affect the growth and development of pigs. Special care and attention must be taken when raising boars and carrying out mating.