MANAGEMENT OF A BOAR

ROWEL L. NUTO
INTRODUCTION

• Herd boars influence the swine breeding program in two important

ways.
1. They provide a source of genetic improvement.
2. They have an effect on farrowing rate and letter size.

In addition, replacement boars can be a potential source for

the introduction of disease into the herd.
WHEN TO BUY BOARS

• Purchase boars at least 45-60 days before they are needed for
breeding.
• This allows ample time to locate the superior animals and, once
they are selected, to check their health, acclimate to new
environmental conditions, and test-mate or evaluate them for
reproductive soundness.
• Boars should be ready for use when they are about 8 months of
age.
 PRE-PURCHASE HEALTH AND DISEASE
CONSIDERATION

• Without adequate precaution, the addition of new boars also

mean the addition of disease.
• There are 2 critical control points for keeping disease out:
1. Limit the number of sources of boars
2. Communication between your veterinarian and the source farm’s
veterinarian can help match the donor (supplier) and the recipient (buyer)
herds health status to minimize new disease introduction
• To minimize problems with incoming boars, ask your veterinarian
to develop a disease history of the recipient farm through:
1. Serum survey (blood test).
2. Slaughter checks.
3. Routine farm visits with a veterinarian.
4. Postmortems (necropsies) of pigs that die.
TRANSPORTING NEWLY PURCHASE BOARS

• Many seedstock suppliers offer a delivery service to their

costumers. Regardless of who transport the boars, proper care
insures maximum animal performance by minimizing stresses,
injuries and diseases. Any stress or diseases that causes extremes
in body temperatures can lower fertility or even produce
temporary sterility which might last 6-8 weeks
• . Therefore, carefully follow these suggestions when transporting newly
purchase boars:
1. avoid shipping boars that have been fed within an hour or two before
loading
2. provide a safe, well-built loading and unloading facility.
3. clean and sanitize the truck/trailer before transporting the boars.
4. Provide a covered truck/trailer with suitable bedding.
5. Use a divider when hauling unfamiliar boars in the same truck/trailer.
6. Avoid harsh handling of animals while loading and unloading.
 HANDLING BOARS BEFORE AND AFTER
BREEDING SEASON

• The practice is run only boars of the same age and size together
between breeding seasons, provided they are placed together at a
young age and their tusks are kept clipped. Older boars should
have their tusks removed each year before the breeding season, or
as needed. Bolt cutters, hoof trimmers, or a hack saw are
instruments suitable for doing this job.
QUARANTINE- the situation of being kept away from others
to prevent a disease from spreading.

• Isolate newly purchase boars at least 30 days (preferably 60 days)

in quarters that have been cleaned and sanitized 2 weeks before
they arrive. The isolation facility should:
1. Be located several hundred feet from the rest of the herd, with
precautions taken to avoid disease transmission by pets, rodents,
equipment and human vectors.
2. Provide protection from extreme weather conditions.
3. Allow about 20 sq. ft. of dry, draft-free, well-ventilated sleeping
area per animal.
4. Be adjacent to an exercise area.
• Maintain biosecurity (isolation) between new additions and the rest of
the herd. Feed and check on the isolated animals at the end of each day.
• Do not return to the herd after taking care of the new boars.
• Provide separate boots and coveralls to wear while caring for the new
additions.
• Observe boars each day for signs of coughing, diarrhea, lameness and
untrhriftiness.
• If signs of disease develop, contact a veterinarian to investigate the
problem and serve as a third party advisor to both buyer and seller.
 HEALTH CHECK AND CARE

• Most health problems can be controlled by buying boars from herd

that are apparently free of disease and parasites. This can usually
be determined by careful examination of the herd and premises
before buying a boar.
• After you get the boar home, isolates him as long as practical 8-10
weeks is best. Your veterinarian is the key to maintain a health
boar and herd, and he or she should be consulted and used as
needed.
 HEALTH RECOMMENDATION

1. Before buying a boar, require a negative test for brucellosis and vaccination for
leptospirosis.
2. Be sure the boar has been vaccinated for erysipelas.
3. Watch the boar closely during the isolation period for signs of illness.
4. If boar becomes ill and has an extremely high temperature, do not use him for 8-10 weeks
after the fever has subsided.
5. To maintain and keep vigorous, healthy program is the best that can be provided.
6. Remove all antibiotics from the ration three weeks after arrival for one month before
breeding to see if a disease is being suppressed.
7. Rotate the new boar to sow lot three weeks to one month prior to breeding and three
weeks after isolation.
8. Exposed the new boar to health conditions in your herd before breeding by allowing him to
run with bred sows or in lots used by sows to be bred to him.