Castrating Piglets

Everything you need to know about the breeding of kunekune Pigs.
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Amanda
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Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:24 am

Castrating Piglets

Post by Amanda » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:40 am

Could anyone advise on the most suitable age to have kunekune piglets castrated?
My vet has recommended at about 6 weeks of age but my own research on the internet seems to show that within 2 weeks can be better.
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Darrell
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Location: East Sussex

Post by Darrell » Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:08 pm

I had my male piglets castrated at two weeks old.The vet said it was the perfect age as he needed the testicles to be a certain size for the procedure. We held the piglets while he did it, five were done in less than twenty minutes.They went straight back to the sow and had a feed!
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wendy scu
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Post by wendy scu » Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:03 pm

I would echo Darrell's response
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Rowlands
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castration

Post by Rowlands » Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:54 am

Does the vet do it on site or in the surgery?
Is it a proceedure you can learn to do yourself??
Sue
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Darrell
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Post by Darrell » Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:22 am

We choose to have it done in the field,out of hearing range of the sows.We hold the piglets while the vet does the cut twist and pull.No stitches are used just antibiotic powder.The piglets seem to get over the ordeal quickly.As far as I know it is now illegal to castrate pigs yourself.
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wendy scu
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Post by wendy scu » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:10 am

we have it done in the surgery so we are well out of earshot of the mum.
no, it's not possible to do it yourself with kunes as their testicles are much higher up insde than other pigs.
didn't know it was illegal but i'll take your word for it Darrell,
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redgeorge
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Post by redgeorge » Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:29 pm

:shock: how barbaric! poor piglets!
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Diane
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Post by Diane » Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:32 pm

wendy scu wrote: didn't know it was illegal but i'll take your word for it Darrell,
Defra's "Code of Recommendation for the Welfare of Livestock - Pigs", states that:

"If castration is carried out after the seventh day of life it shall only be performed by a veterinary surgeon in accordance with the
provisions of the Protection of Animals"
(Anaesthetics) Act 1954.
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wendy scu
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Post by wendy scu » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:05 am

no, it's not barbaric if it's done properly and young enoughand by a vet

i have written more than a few articles on this subject as i am passonate about GETTING IT DONE WHEN THEY ARE VERY YOUNG

too many people out there keep entire boars from their litters for whatever reason - often, i'm afraid because they are too tight to pay a vet to castrate them.
others keep them because they think they will sell them entire but despite the posts you see on here the market for entire boars is extremely limited.
I average 3 enquiries a day for pigs/piglets and only reckon to sell 2 boars a year. Most litters i have, i struggle to find a boar piglet that i think is good enough to keep entire for breeding so i castrate them as a rule.

It really isn't a good idea to keep boar piglets unless they are tip top breed standard.
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coleenandwannekunekune
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Post by coleenandwannekunekune » Fri Nov 27, 2009 5:14 pm

how much does it cost? im having all my boys done!
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wendy scu
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Post by wendy scu » Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:47 pm

varies from vet to vet. i pay about ?30 but i know people who pay as little as ?6.
ask your vet,
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Di
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Castrating boars

Post by Di » Sat Nov 28, 2009 1:45 pm

My vet does them in the surgery at around 2 - 3 weeks old. It costs about ?30. I stay and hold the piglets and they are sufficiently 'under' not to know a thing!

Di
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coleenandwannekunekune
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Post by coleenandwannekunekune » Sat Nov 28, 2009 2:20 pm

for all of them? or each that isnt bad either way i only have 4 boars is it ok to take them away from mum to have it done?
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Dan
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Location: Essex

Post by Dan » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:52 pm

Just dragging this one up again. My vet has recommended 6 weeks too. He says they sedate them to do it. Does this sound right? I know most have it done earlier but can anyone see any drawbacks or problems with the six week mark?
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wendy scu
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Post by wendy scu » Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:00 pm

if your vet's happy with it then it should be fine. may cost a little more as more anesthetic (heavier piglets) but thats all.
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