14 



SWINE PRACTICE 



breeder. In fact, the length of time of usefulness of such an animal 

 is determined largel.y by the care in maintenance. The frequency 

 of service of the boar varies with individuals and particularly accord- 

 ing to their age. A young boar may be put to service every second 

 or third day; whereas a mature boar may be put to service once or 

 twice daily. Boars should be kept separate and in the summer time 

 should be provided with a small pasture, and supplied plenty of fresh 

 water. Winter care should include warm housing, with plenty of 

 bedding and a maintenance ration. A common mistake of breeders 

 is that of keeping their herd boar too fat. Another very important 

 consideration for health and prolonging the period of productivity 

 of boars is in requiring them to take ample exercise. Boars should 



Fig. 1. Farrowing House at Longview Farms. 



not be kept in small pens. Most breeders provide a small pasture for 

 their breeding boars. If a large lot or a pasture is not available, 

 feeding should be done in one end of the pen and the water supply 

 kept in the opposite end which will necessitate the taking of some 

 exercise to obtain feed and water. 



In the selection of a herd boar, the appearance and development of 

 the testicles should not be overlooked. Cryptorchids or boars in 

 which either or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum 

 should be rejected. Cryptorchidism, although usually of congenital 

 origin, is a malformation that is frequently transmitted to the male 

 progeny. "About 5 per cent of the male progeny of one of Missouri's 

 most famous boars. Chief Tecumseh II, were cryptorchids. Liberty 



