FIGURE 117.—A good foundation sow that embodies the qualities desirable in a breeding animal
Selection of the Boar
HOG Profits Increased by Proper Selection of Foundation Animals
Success in the hog business depends not only on the use of approved methods of feeding and management, but to a large extent on the ability of hogs to utilize feeds for the most profitable and economical gains. There is no one best breed; in fact more difference often occurs among individuals within the breed than among breeds themselves. In the selection of a breed, consideration should be given to the one most common in the neighborhood. Such a selection helps to insure a near-by market for the exchange or sale of breeding animals. When a locality is noted for outstanding animals of a certain breed it becomes an attraction for prospective buyers for both breeding animals and fat hogs. The question of personal likes and dislikes for a breed may also be a controlling factor. A person will take more interest in the care, feeding, and management of a breed that strikes his fancy than in one which he dislikes because of some prejudice.
It is desirable to purchase purebred hogs when founding a herd rather than buy grade hogs and expect to improve the herd by the use of purebred boars. The fact that hogs multiply rapidly makes it possible to purchase a few good, purebred sows at little additional cost and within a few years have a uniform herd of considerable size.
The breeding of purebred livestock has tended to establish definite characteristics. The fact that pure breeding is in itself a selective mating of individuals of known ancestry tends to eliminate the less meritorious animals. Breeders of purebred hogs have developed their herds not only from the standpoint of type, size of litter, early maturity, and similar qualities, but also from the standpoint of their ability to produce rapid and economical gains.
The question whether the sow or boar has the greater influence on the offspring is still open for discussion. Equal attention should be given to the selection of the sow and boar.
The sows should be of uniform type and conformation for the breed. (Fig.117.) Above all she should show refinement, femininity, and docility. She should possess a neat-appearing head, rather thin neck, good, clear eyes with plenty of width between them, and ears of fair size but not obstructing the vision. She should be upstanding, with sufficient daylight underneath the body to prevent the udder from dragging during the suckling period. The legs should be well placed under the four corners of the body. They should have good- quality bone, enabling her to support her weight at all ages and move about freely and easily. The pasterns should be short and straight. There should be plenty of width between the front legs, indicating chest capacity. The back should be well arched to furnish strength. She should be well muscled over the loin with full, well-rounded hams. The body should be uniform in width, carrying back evenly from the shoulders to the hams. There should be good depth of body, indicated by a large heart girth. The udder should be well developed, with at least six well-developed teats in each of the two rows.
When possible, final selection of the boar should not be made until he is at least 6 months of age. Any serious defects that may develop should be in evidence at that age. It is often advisable to purchase a tried boar (fig. 118) of the right type and conformation, if one can be obtained at a reasonable price. Be sure that the boar is particularly strong in those characters in which the sows are weak in order that their faults may be less likely to be transmitted to the offspring. Type, quality,~and masculinity are three essentials necessary for a herd boar. He should possess the same general type as that of the sows in the herd.
Quality is indicated by a smooth covering of flesh, hair that has life to it as indicated by a glossy appearance, pasterns that are straight and show strength, a bone that is strong and of sufficient size to carry the weight at all ages, and a hide that is mellow and pliable, with freedom from wrinkles or creases in the sides or shoulders.
Masculinity is the character that distinguishes the boar from the sow in appearance. The head should be massive in size, with plenty of width between the eyes. The neck should be short, thick, and well crested. He should be snugly made over the shoulders, and smooth through the shield. The back should be well arched, the width carried back uniformly. The hams should be well rounded and full to the hocks. Constitution is indicated by heart girth as measured back of the shoulders. Chest capacity is indicated by the width between the front legs as viewed when one stands directly in front of the boar.
Attention should also be given to the disposition of the boar. A cross boar—that is, one inclined to fight, one difficult to manage, or hard to keep in a pen or pasture—is a dangerous animal to have in the herd. He should have a good disposition, and be easily handled and driven. Never trust a quiet boar at any time, as he may strike when least expected.
Finally after selection of the sows and boar which have met the desired standards of conformation and type as individuals, a study should be made of the record of their ancestors, through the pedigree, with special emphasis on the size of the litter. When possible, one should see the sire and dam of the animal to be purchased and note whether they are desirable in type and have uniformly transmitted that character to the offspring. (Fig. 119.)