British Kune Kune Pig Society

Amanda · Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

Could anyone advise on the most suitable age to have kune kune piglets castrated?
My vet has recommended at about 6 weeks of age but my own research on the internet seems to show that within 2 weeks can be better.

Darrell · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 68 Location: East Sussex

I had my male piglets castrated at two weeks old.The vet said it was the perfect age as he needed the testicles to be a certain size for the procedure. We held the piglets while he did it, five were done in less than twenty minutes.They went straight back to the sow and had a feed!

wendy scu · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 559 Location: Herefordshire

I would echo Darrell's response

Rowlands · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 45 Location: Cumbria

Does the vet do it on site or in the surgery?
Is it a proceedure you can learn to do yourself??
_________________
Sue

Darrell · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 68 Location: East Sussex

We choose to have it done in the field,out of hearing range of the sows.We hold the piglets while the vet does the cut twist and pull.No stitches are used just antibiotic powder.The piglets seem to get over the ordeal quickly.As far as I know it is now illegal to castrate pigs yourself.

wendy scu · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 559 Location: Herefordshire

we have it done in the surgery so we are well out of earshot of the mum.
no, it's not possible to do it yourself with kunes as their testicles are much higher up insde than other pigs.
didn't know it was illegal but i'll take your word for it Darrell,

redgeorge · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 112 Location: shropshire

how barbaric! poor piglets!

Diane · Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 45 Location: North East England

wendy scu · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 559 Location: Herefordshire

no, it's not barbaric if it's done properly and young enoughand by a vet

i have written more than a few articles on this subject as i am passonate about GETTING IT DONE WHEN THEY ARE VERY YOUNG

too many people out there keep entire boars from their litters for whatever reason - often, i'm afraid because they are too tight to pay a vet to castrate them.
others keep them because they think they will sell them entire but despite the posts you see on here the market for entire boars is extremely limited.
I average 3 enquiries a day for pigs/piglets and only reckon to sell 2 boars a year. Most litters i have, i struggle to find a boar piglet that i think is good enough to keep entire for breeding so i castrate them as a rule.

It really isn't a good idea to keep boar piglets unless they are tip top breed standard.

coleenandwannekunekune · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Posts: 29 Location: berkshire

how much does it cost? im having all my boys done!

wendy scu · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 559 Location: Herefordshire

varies from vet to vet. i pay about £30 but i know people who pay as little as £6.
ask your vet,

Di · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 157 Location: Somerset

My vet does them in the surgery at around 2 - 3 weeks old. It costs about £30. I stay and hold the piglets and they are sufficiently 'under' not to know a thing!

Di

coleenandwannekunekune · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Posts: 29 Location: berkshire

for all of them? or each that isnt bad either way i only have 4 boars is it ok to take them away from mum to have it done?

Dan · Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Essex

Just dragging this one up again. My vet has recommended 6 weeks too. He says they sedate them to do it. Does this sound right? I know most have it done earlier but can anyone see any drawbacks or problems with the six week mark?

wendy scu · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 559 Location: Herefordshire

if your vet's happy with it then it should be fine. may cost a little more as more anesthetic (heavier piglets) but thats all.