Why You Need a Barrow (or Two or Three…)
On our homestead, every animal plays a vital role that serves a specific purpose. This practice echoes across numerous farms and homesteads. While some animals contribute through food production, flock protection, or breeding, the significance of a barrow might be overlooked. Why exactly does a farm need at least one, if not more? Its role is more crucial than you might initially think!
Let’s start with some quick pig definitions. There are four types of pigs:
Gilt: a female pig who has not given birth yet.
Sow: a female pig who has had a litter.
Boar: an intact male.
Barrow: a castrated male.
It’s also important to note that pigs are social creatures, thriving in the company of others. Leaving a pig alone can lead to feelings of isolation, resulting in depression and a disinterest in typical pig behaviors, including eating. In colder climates, solitary pigs lack a companion to share body heat with, intensifying the stress of winter temperatures. This is where the advantages of having a barrow become particularly evident.
Integrating a barrow into your pig setup provides the advantage of having a non-breeding companion, eliminating concerns about unexpected pregnancies. When establishing a breeding program, having a companion animal proves beneficial for boars, sows, or gilts that are currently out of rotation. For example, we currently have two mature boars breeding this spring. Separating them only when a sow is in heat is made simpler by leaving one behind with his barrow buddy. This approach ensures clarity in identifying the parentage, as the non-breeding boar remains with the barrow while the breeding pair is in a separate paddock. The same strategy can be applied to female pigs, eliminating the risk of unexpected pregnancies.
If you plan to raise KuneKunes for meat, choosing barrows ensures the best flavor profile in the finished product. Intact males may carry what's known as "boar taint", an offensive odor or taste that becomes noticeable during the cooking or consumption of pork from non-castrated male pigs after they reach puberty. Boar taint affects around 20% of all male finishing pigs.
How Do We Select Our Barrows?
Meet our sweet barrow, Gumbo! Can you tell why he was selected to become a barrow?
Selecting a pig to be a barrow instead of a boar is primarily driven by adherence to the breed standard in terms of body conformation. We begin by examining the number of teats each piglet has, aiming for teats that are evenly spaced to ensure future optimal nursing capabilities for sows and their litters. Having unevenly spaced teats on a sow could impair her ability to nurse her litter. This is not a trait we want passed along to offspring from either the mom or dad.
Next we assess the ears, with a preference for pricked or semi-lopped ears. Curled or ears that are too forward-inclined are considered undesirable as they can impede the pig's hearing— a trait we aim to eliminate from the genetic line.
Our evaluation then extends to each piglet’s back and general proportions, with a straight or slightly arched back being the most desirable. Dipping or sagging backs are considered unfavorable. Additionally, we ensure that piglets exhibit a strong, even stance, avoiding legs or knees that point too far inwards or outwards.
Lastly, we favor piglets with strongly attached, double wattles. While the breed standard doesn't mandate wattles, they are a unique characteristic of KuneKunes that we appreciate and actively strive to preserve in our breeding program.
When Does A Piglet Go From Boar to Barrow?
The decision on when to castrate a pig is nuanced, and opinions may vary. Our preference is to make the castration decision around the 4-6 week mark. During this period, piglets are still manageable by one person (earplugs recommended!), and sedation is not necessary. The testicles are easily accessible at this age. As pigs grow, their skin thickens, and a layer of fat develops, making it more challenging to access the testicles. Castration at 4-6 weeks, when performed by a vet or someone experienced, is a quick process (about a minute per pig) and does not require sedation.
Considering a barrow for your next pig purchase offers versatility for both breeding and meat programs. Not only are barrows more cost-effective than intact boars, but many breeders, including us, also provide discounts for purchasing multiple pigs at once. In line with our commitment to the well-being of the animals, we require proof of ownership of other KuneKunes or companion animals when selling a single pig, ensuring that the piglet won't be left alone.
And here's a bonus for those that made it this far — barrows make fantastic house pigs! They can be trained similarly to dogs and unlike boars or sows, you don't have to deal with the negative aspects of hormones. It's a win-win for a delightful and trainable addition to your household.