GHAPTEK VII. 



CASTRATION OF TIl.E BOAR 



Objects and Indications — Pigs are castrated in order to facilitate their 

 growth and fattening. Aside from this tlie operation lias n tendency to 

 ini])rove their behavior when associated with other hogs, especially sows. 

 Boars are often castrated when, having readied the limit of usefulness as 

 breeding animals, it is decided to prepare them for market. Even when 

 castrated, boars never make choice meat. However, they fatten very 

 readily and their cliaracteristic odor disappears to a decided degree. Gas- 

 Trated boars are known as "stags." Gastrated pigs are reierr(;d to :is 

 "barrows," and it is a well-reeognized faL't that barrows command a 

 liiglier market price than do boars or stags. 



Castration is an operation that is practiced wherever swine are raised. 



Afjc — Pigs are best castrated either two weeks before, or two weeks 

 after weaning. If the operation is perforired at, or near weaning time it 

 has a tendency to retard their growth and development. Tf allowed to 

 run too long they bec'o.ne "boarish," besides the operation is more painful. 



Fig. 75 — Restraint for castration. 



