Entry of new boars in the herd.
It is necessary to introduce new boars into a herd several times a year in order to increase the productivity of
the herd. An old boar loses genetic potential compared to young boars and does not give the kind of quality
semen that is necessary to increase the productivity of the herd.
The boars / semen contribute to 50 % of the improvement on the productivity of the piglets/ slaughter pigs.
We see too many boars with problems; bad legs, bad semen quality, boars that don’t want to jump and also
infections. Also we often see incoming infection inside the sow herd because the boars have brought
bacteria/ viruses that give problems inside the herd because they are not the endemic infections of the herd.
Unitron A/S always recommends ALWAYS using quarantine for new boars/ animals so you minimize risk for
problems as described above.
Danish trials show that use of quarantine will minimize the risk of bringing new diseases into the herd.
Our recommendations are that the boars should have 1 week’s treatment with broad spectrum of antibiotics
inside the quarantine and 2 weeks treatment with broad spectrum of antibiotic when entering the herd/ boar
station.
The antibiotics can be e.g.:
DENAGARD – Tiamulin.
LINCOSPECTIN – Lincomycin/ Spectinomycin.
CLAMOXYL – Amoxicillin.
The reason for this antibiotic is to protect the boars against leg infections caused by Mycoplasma,
Streptococcus and Haemophilus Parasuis/Glässer’s Disease.
It can also be good for the boars if they have stiff legs after movement/ transport to give them some pain
relief. This will make sure that the boars have the amount of feed with antibiotic they need and will make
them freshen them up faster.
The pain killer could be Acetylsalicic Acid.
Always have a veterinarian opinion about vaccination/ treatment of animals.
The boars have to be in the quarantine for at least 8 weeks but optimum 12 weeks. In this period the boars
can be vaccinated and the results after blood sampling would be known. If the boars are vaccinated with live
vaccines we recommend always 12 weeks so we don’t bring active shedders of vaccine infection into the
stables.
Our recommendations are also that the boars should be vaccinated against: Parvovirus, Erysipelas, circo
virus and Swine influenza and maybe Lawsonia. Also depending on the country, the normal recommended
vaccination.
The vaccination can be done (in regards to Parvo) from 24 week of age and then revaccination again 3-4
weeks later. The vaccination can be started from 5 days after entry in the quarantine.
When the boars arrive to the quarantine the stable has to be warm and dry (about 18- 20 degrees Celsius)
and with low humidity (around 60- 65 % humidity). It is important that the quarantine has been warmed up a
couple of days before the entry of the boars so slats, floor and other equipment are warmed up. Otherwise it
can give problems with the health of the boars because they are sensitive to infections after the
transportation stress.
Feeding.
We recommend that young boars up to 50 kg are fed with a finisher pig feed and after that period with a boar
feed or a lactating sow diet.
By the feeding we want to secure the boars: Libido. This is important for the boar’s willingness to jump on the dummy sow and also for the
quantity of the boar’s ejaculate.
 Sperm cells produced per ejaculation
 The fertility capacity of the sperm cells. This is crucial for how effectively the sperm cells reach the
eggs and fertilize them.
Feed and water.
Weight of the boars- KG
25- 50
50- 90
90-
Feed strength- KG
Crude protein/ kg feed
Nutrition
Adlib
Max. 2,5
between 2,2- 3,0 ore after body condition
150- 160
110-120
110-120
Finishing feed mix
Nursering Mix/ boar mix
Nursering Mix/ boar mix
Unitron A/S is recommend that the boars always have access to fresh/ clean water.
Sexually mature.
Boars are sexually mature around 6- 8 month of age. Crossbred and colored boars are normally earlier
maturing then Yorkshire/ Landrace boars.
When starting to train boars, we have to be sure that they are sexually mature otherwise it will have negative
influence on them when they do reach maturity.
The boars are sexually mature when the start to crunch of the sows (what does this mean), when they are
showing interest for the sows.
Boars learn to jump.
The boar should not be used for natural mating before he has jumped on a dummy, as this will make it more
difficult to make him jump on a dummy.
Place the dummy in the boar’s own pen the first couple of times. Then the boar will find the dummy
interesting instead of moving the boar to a collection pen where he will have more interest in the “new” pens
instead of the dummy
Make sure that the floor is not slippery when he jumps.
Leave the boar alone for a couple of minutes to see if he will jump by himself.
If he will not jump, you may rub some secretion (from a sow in obvious heat) on top of the dummy. The boar
can smell this and it will increase his willingness to jump. Otherwise use PheroMate™ (Pheromone Spray) to
spray on dummy and in front of the nose of the boar.
You may also push the boar away to stimulate him.
Only leave the dummy with the boar for as long as he shows interest to it. Max. 10 min. so that he does not
get used to the idea that he can decide when to jump and not you.
If he does not jump the first time, repeat the procedure after a couple of days.
At collection it is important that it is a positive/good experience, so that he combines jumping with something
good.
Praise the boar when he has done a good job. A boar is just as easy to train as a dog and the better he's
trained the easier / better work he will perform in the future
Boars which are aggressive to people should be slaughtered as you will be nervous around them, and the
boars can feel that and they may take advantage of it.