Best Breeding Cycle Approach Advice

[enggass]

Ok, here's what I would like to do.
I am going to have a breeding pair and would only like to breed them once per year.
I plan to keep a couple from each litter to raise for meat then sell the rest of the litter.
I want to keep my original breeding pair as such.
I assume that means they cannot co-habit all the time or else I would get more than one litter per year.
At what point do they need to be separated? Two pens I assume?
How do I keep the Boar from getting lonely when separated for 8 months out of the year?
Maybe put one of the ones being raised for meat in with the Boar for company for that time? When they go to slaughter I could then put the Boar back with the Gilt because then it would be time for breeding again?

How would you all approach this?
I really just want the 2 breeders and one litter per year keeping 2 for meat.
If I said anything stupid, I apologize. I am trying to learn and figure all of this out prior to getting me breeders.
I want to be prepared.

Thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[hydroswiftrob]

Following, because I have the exact same question and circumstances.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

LOL! You raise some interesting points but I am not sure you would be happy with the results if you do as you are planning.

First off, pigs are herd animals meaning that they do better with company. They love to snuggle up to each other & it also helps keep them warm.

Second, from our experience & by listening to others, boars are MUCH happier if with a sow. Believe you me, if that sow is in heat, that boar will do ANYTHING to gain access to her. If you keep your boar with your sow, he will be much calmer & content & will not be constantly trying to break down your fences. The last thing you want is an aggressive boar.

Third, once you start eating your home grown pork you may find 2 a year is not enough!

Fourth - 2 litters a year is really not that many, depending on what breed of pig you raise. We raise Large Blacks - their litters tend to be between 7-10 (sometimes we get 12) but we also lose some. You do need to take that into consideration. Rarely will an entire litter survive - one might be born weak, or one may get squished etc. It's life, it happens. If you are planning on selling piglets, research the market around you. Make sure you can sell what you are producing - don't buy a breeding pair of pigs that your neighbor has - the market could already be saturated.

Fifth & probably most important here is that a sow is designed to be kept bred. Others may disagree with me here but I would not advise giving your sow a break. This can create fertility problems - a sow can gain too much weight & if she has too much fat on her ovaries she may not breed again when you want her to.

Sixth - If you are investing in a breeding pair they need to pay their way & hopefully make you some money at the same time. Depending on the price you can sell your piglets for, one litter a year may not pay for their keep.

Seventh - research the breed you are thinking of raising. How are you planning on raising them - penned up? on pasture? Do you have young children? If so, make sure you buy a breed that has a good temperament. There are some "mean" breeds out there & you do not want your children or yourselves getting hurt. A pig only goes where it wants to go - they are very strong & can do damage. Our pigs are so docile you could lie down & take a nap beside one! Our young children can go up to any of our boars without fear of getting hurt but they are not all like that. Research, research, research.

I'm sure there is more I could add to this but this is a start. Pigs are great animals - very intelligent.

Liz

 

[77Herford]

Too save on money and work I would just get some weanlings and raise them for meat. Having two sows and a boar will be alot of work, which I'm sure you can do. Since the above poster mentioned they are social and it is true, they need a snuggler. My Boar is pretty good alone but since I put another Boar with him, he is much happier. Just like I have two sows in each pen and once all the piglets are weaned I may put them all together, the Sows.

 

[enggass]

Thanks for all of the input... The breed I will be dealing with is the American Guinea Hog. Very docile and not too big. I have figured out a plan as to have 2 areas - both woods/pasture - and to always have company. No Boar or sow will ever be alone. I still may try to slow the breedings to about 1.5/year rather than 2-2.5.