Effect of the Presence of the Boar on the Attainment of Puberty in Gilts

A trial was conducted to study the effect of presence of the boar on the attainment puberty in gilts and the feasibility and economics of rearing pigs of either sex together. Sixteen weaned Large White Yorkshire gilts, twelve weaned sows and two boars were randomly assigned to five groups as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 each consisting of six. Pigs T1 and T3 groups were bred at the body weight of 70-80 kg with designated boars at the time of breeding. The pigs in T5 group were bred in the first oestrus after weaning. In T2 and T4 group female pigs were reared with boar. The onset and intensity of oestrus were significantly different (p < 0.05) between groups. However, duration of oestrus, conception rate and gestation length did not vary significantly between groups. Overall results suggest that it is advisable to keep animals in advanced stage of pregnancy in farrowing pens till weaning of piglings.