• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • Nancy Reading
  • John F Dean
  • r ranson
  • Jay Angler
  • paul wheaton
stewards:
  • Pearl Sutton
  • Leigh Tate
  • Devaka Cooray
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Matt McSpadden
  • Jeremy VanGelder

Monorchid and cryptorchid boars???

 
Posts: 4
Location: NW Georgia
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hello all,
Does anyone have experience with monorchid or cryptorchid boars? I have a 4mo KuneKune/AGH cross boar that has only one descended testicle. ( I did not want a boar to begin with because we are raising him as a feeder, but through a complicated series of events I ended up with him and now I have to figure out wth I'm going to do with him.) I bought him with his sister and want to keep them together for company, but what to do with his testicle(s)? Should I assume the other won't drop and go ahead with castration? Or just separate them now and harvest him early? Just so you know, I hate the thought of cutting this fella now, I don't generally agree with castration after the first week of life. I'm trying to weigh out what will be best for his well-being while keeping in mind that we are going to eat him. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
 
Posts: 1114
Location: Mountains of Vermont, USDA Zone 3
70
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
It can be hereditary so definitely cull him rather than breeding.

We don't castrate but without knowing if it is a problem in your line you can't know for sure on that. You could take a bite and find out:

http://sugarmtnfarm.com/2012/03/20/have-your-pig-and-eat-it-too/

Pasturing, high fiber, rotational grazing also help reduce taint. One researcher I spoke with years ago suggested chicory. I suspect that's just the high fiber angle but don't know if it might have some additional benefit.

Harvesting him younger also increases the odds in your favor as lots of research has shown.
 
Loren Cordle
Posts: 4
Location: NW Georgia
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thank you Walter for the great information. He definitely will be culled. We are trying not to use any commercial feed if we can help it. We are feeding a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk, and oats. He is out on pasture and has access to wooded areas with lots of fallen nuts and acorns. Fingers crossed we can avoid taint with good management like you suggested. I still have the issue of preventing inbreeding since he can't be castrated. Unfortunately it seems I will have to separate them soon.
 
I'm thinking about a new battle cry. Maybe "Not in the face! Not in the face!" Any thoughts tiny ad?
turnkey permaculture paradise for zero monies
https://permies.com/t/267198/turnkey-permaculture-paradise-monies
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic