Selection of Boars (Male Pigs)

The boar is the most important animal on a pig farm because a single boar can sire hundreds of piglets per year. As a common saying in animal breeding goes, "the boar is half the herd." Therefore, selecting a superior boar is crucial for genetic improvement.

ICAR (2016) recommends the following criteria for boar selection:

• Age: Select young boars between 6-8 months of age. Do not use a boar below 6 months or above 5 years for active breeding.

• Body Weight: A boar should weigh at least 80-100 kg at 6 months of age under improved breeds (Large White Yorkshire, Landrace) and at least 50-60 kg for indigenous breeds .

• Testes: Both testes should be of equal size, firm, and well descended into the scrotum. Boars with undescended testicles (cryptorchidism) must be strictly rejected .

• Libido and Semen Quality: A good boar should show strong sexual interest. For AI programmes, semen should be evaluated for motility (above 70%), concentration, and morphology.

• Family Background: Prefer boars born in large litters (8 or more) from sows with good mothering records.

Selection of Gilts and Sows (Female Pigs)

Gilts are young female pigs that have not yet produced their first litter. Selecting good gilts ensures a productive future sow herd. gilts for breeding should be selected at two stages: first at weaning (6-8 weeks) and then again at 5-6 months of age.

Key selection criteria for gilts and sows include:

• Number of Teats: At least 12 evenly spaced, well-developed, functional teats. Inverted or blind teats should disqualify the animal.

• Vulva Size and Development: Gilts with underdeveloped or infantile vulva are likely to have reproductive problems and should not be selected.

• Birth Litter Size: Prefer gilts born in litters of 8 or more live piglets. This indicates good reproductive genes from the mother .

• Body Conformation: Long body, level topline, well-developed hindquarters. Avoid gilts with swayed backs or weak pasterns.

Age at First Heat (Puberty): Gilts that show first heat earlier (before 6 months in improved breeds) tend to be more fertile. ICAR recommends mating gilts at the second or third heat for best conception rates .

Common Mistakes Farmers Make in Selecting Breeding Stock

• Selecting by appearance only: Many farmers choose big, fat-looking animals without considering growth rate, litter size, or family history. Fat pigs are often less fertile.

• Inbreeding (breeding related animals): Breeding a boar with his daughters or sisters (inbreeding) leads to reduced litter size, weak piglets, and higher mortality over time. ICAR (2016) strictly advises farmers to avoid inbreeding.

• Not culling poor performers: Keeping old sows with declining productivity or boars with poor libido wastes farm resources.

• Buying pigs without health certificates: Always buy breeding animals from certified disease-free farms. Diseases like Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and FMD can be introduced through new animals .

• Using one boar for too long: A boar should be replaced every 2-3 years to prevent inbreeding when his daughters start entering the breeding herd.