Rescue organizations and foster homes have an influx of pigs coming and going. As pigs are adopted out, new pigs are rescued and brought into care. Inevitably, some of these new intake pigs will be intact. It is every rescues responsibility to alter these pigs before they are placed for adoption. In the meantime, extreme care must be taken to keep these intact pigs separated until they have healed from their spay or neuter surgeries. Whether the pigs are housed indoors or outdoors, precautions must be taken. Intact pigs are surprisingly determined to get to each other. Do not risk the health of these rescued pigs by underestimating their resolve.
Surprisingly, males are able to impregnate females up to two weeks after their neuter. Keep these boys safely separated for a minimum time after neuter to clear out any stray sperm that remains. This will also allow time for his boar hormones to dissipate.
Adequate fencing is a must with pigs, especially with an intact pig. Males and females that have not been spayed or neutered have a very strong sex drive. They will use their strong snouts to push out under a fence, bust a gate open, or even climb over a fence. Before placing an intact pig in a fence, thoroughly check all areas of the fencing for any weak points or needed repairs.
Did you know pigs can breed through a fence? There are countless piglets running around to prove this! Separation of intact pigs should never be done through a chain link fence or hog panels. There should always be atleast two fences between intact pigs. If possible, on opposite sides of the property. Wooden privacy fencing with hog panels inside works well for separating and containing intact pigs.
If intact pigs spend time indoors, do not allow free roam. Do not use baby gates or puppy fencing to separate these pigs. Chain link dog kennels will not work to prevent pregnancy. Metal crates are equally ineffective with intact pigs. Do not lock these pigs in bedrooms or bathrooms. They may destroy the door in order to find their mate.
Piglets born to a rescued sow should be neutered as soon as possible. The preferred age of neuter is before weaning. If male piglets have not been neutered by 8 weeks old they need to be separated from their mother and sisters.
Keeping intact pigs safely separated is quite the challenge, even for experienced and seasoned breeders. Don’t take the chance with rescued pigs. Get them spayed and neutered upon intake.