Techniques for raising purebred wild boars

In recent years, in some provinces in the Southeast region such as Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City, there have been many large-scale wild boar farms, with some raising hundreds of animals; and there are also many households raising a few as pets. Market demand and prices have attracted many investors.

I. Species and breed characteristics

Name: Wild boar is a wild pig breed that is being domesticated in Thailand and Vietnam. Wild boars are generally divided into two groups: the long-faced group and the short-faced group.



(Illustrative image: Nongnghiep)

Body shape:

Wild boars are well-proportioned, agile, and move nimbly. They are slightly lean, long-bodied, with a straight back, slender belly, long, small legs with sharp hooves, a long neck, a small head, a long and pointed snout, small, erect, and sensitive ears, a very keen and strong sense of smell, and fur that is reddish-brown, reddish-black, or dark gray. Each hair follicle has three tips, and the hair along the spine and neck is thicker, longer, and stiffer. The shoulders are usually higher than the rump, and the tail is small and short, only reaching the hock. Males have well-developed tusks, while females have two rows of teats, each with five well-developed and prominent nipples.

Growth, development, and reproduction:

Wild boars typically give birth twice a year, with 5-10 piglets per litter. The first litter (firstborn) has 3-5 piglets, while subsequent litters (more than 7-10 piglets) are larger. The average weight of newborn piglets is 0.5-0.9 kg. Piglets have striped coats (yellow stripes running along the body against a black or brown background). These stripes disappear when the piglets are over 3 months old. The average adult weight is 80-100 kg for males and 50-70 kg for females.

Wild boars are 7-8 months old, weighing 30-40 kg (female boars can be bred at this age, while male boars can be bred 1-2 months later). The gestation period is similar to domestic pigs (approximately 114-115 days). The birthing time (from the first to the last piglet) is 1-2 hours. The birthing process occurs naturally, without human assistance or intervention.

II. Breed Selection and Mating

Select the breed:

Select animals with a slender head, deep chest, broad body, lively, straight back, compact abdomen, strong legs, and well-developed and functioning reproductive organs. If possible, selection should be based on ancestry (lineage, parents, grandparents...), the animal itself (appearance, adaptability, production capacity...), and subsequent generations.

Appropriate breeding methods and timing:

The estrous cycle of wild boars is 21 days, with the estrus period lasting 3-5 days. The appropriate time for mating is at the end of the second day or the beginning of the third day (depending on breed and age), so it is necessary to monitor the boar's signs of estrus. When the vulva changes from bright pink to pale pink, with wrinkles and increased mucus secretion, the ears point forward, and there is a standing reflex (lethargy), the best time for mating is when the boar is most suitable.

Ignore the first one or two estrus cycles, as the sow's body is not yet fully developed, ovulation is infrequent, and mating and pregnancy rates are low. When the sow shows signs of estrus, introduce the boar to her. The boar will mate continuously, day and night, until the sow refuses. Double mating can be done twice, in the early morning and late afternoon (or vice versa). After 21 days, if the sow does not return to estrus, she may be pregnant.

III. Livestock housing

The enclosures are simple; however, it's essential to understand some of the characteristics and habits of wild boars in order to properly design them. A high-lying area with good drainage should be chosen for raising them. The enclosure should have a source of clean water, not only to provide sufficient drinking water but, more importantly, to maintain a rich ecosystem and keep the environment warm enough for the wild boars.

The further the enclosures are from residential areas and roads, the better. Their wild instincts have made them extremely vigilant and they will always panic and run away at the slightest noise.

We can raise wild boars in free-range areas with trees and surrounding fences. The important thing is that the fence system must be very sturdy. We can enclose natural enclosures with B40 mesh, with solid foundations (because wild boars tend to dig burrows), each enclosure being 50-100m2 (depending on land availability) containing a 20-30m2 pen for 4-5 adult female boars, where they will live and breed directly. Male breeding boars should be kept separately, each in its own enclosure, each enclosure being 40-50m2 with a 5-10m2 pen. The pens should have roofs to protect from rain and sun, be over 2.5m high, have a natural earthen floor with a 2-3% slope... ensuring good ventilation, cleanliness, coolness in summer, warmth in winter, and protection from excessive heat, rain, and wind.

For an initial scale of raising 10 pigs (2 males/8 females), 3 breeding yards are needed. Two yards for breeding sows, each 50-100m2 in size, containing 2 pens, each 20-30m2. One yard for breeding boars, 40-50m2 in size, containing a pen 5-10m2...

IV. Food and food rations

This includes roughage (grasses, plants, sprouts, roots), concentrate feed (grains, tubers), and mineral supplements such as wood ash, clay, and salt lick mixtures. In practice, wild boars often seek out newly burned fields to eat ash and clay.

The typical feed ration for wild boars consists of: 70% vegetables, roots, and fruits (which can be produced on the farm), and 30% bran, rice, various grains, brewer's yeast, soybean meal, etc. They are fed twice a day (morning and afternoon), with each adult boar consuming approximately 2-3 kg of feed.

The feed provided to wild boars by humans may be deficient in nutrients, especially protein, minerals, and vitamins. Therefore, in addition to supplementing with protein-rich, salt-rich, and vitamin-rich concentrated feed, it is necessary to provide mineral lick blocks for the wild boars to freely lick (note: keep in a dry, cool place). A mineral-enriched lick block mixture can be purchased or mixed yourself according to the following ratio (100g table salt; 100g iron sulfate; 50g copper sulfate; 100g sulfur; 1000g quicklime... and enough clay to make 3kg). For free-licking, only about 20-25 grams per boar per day is needed.

Wild boars primarily feed on plants. It's important to avoid overfeeding them with nutrient-rich feed, as this can alter the quality of their meat and sometimes lead to digestive disorders like diarrhea.

Pigs eat fresh green fodder and drink little water; however, they still need sufficient clean, cool water for free access. The pens must be cleaned daily, leftover food removed, and feed and water troughs washed thoroughly.

V. Care and Nurturing

Boar:

It is crucial for breeding. With proper management and care, one boar can mate with 5-10 sows. Breeding boars should be kept separately and given a nutritious diet, especially with concentrated feed rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins. On breeding days, supplementary nutrient-rich concentrated feed, 1-2 chicken eggs, salt, and vitamins should be given freely.

Female breeding pigs:

Wild boars are prolific breeders and excellent mothers (they are very good at raising their young). In the wild, when a sow gives birth, she takes care of and nurtures her piglets herself and separates from the herd when they grow up.

Wild boars breed naturally year-round. The gestation period is also 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days (114-115 days) before giving birth.

For pregnant sows, during the first two months of pregnancy, feed them a normal diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, etc., supplemented with mixed concentrate feed, 15g of salt, and 20g of minerals daily. After two months until farrowing, it is necessary to supplement with nutrient-rich concentrate feed, especially protein, minerals, and vitamins. On the day of farrowing, feed the sow thin porridge with little salt and few green vegetables to prevent milk fever.

For lactating sows, the feed ration must ensure the quantity, quality, and variety of feed... When piglets are 1.5-2 months old and can eat feed provided by humans, the mother should be fed a normal ration. It is not advisable to breed sows in estrus during the lactating period, as this makes conception difficult or results in unsatisfactory piglet numbers and quality.

Piggy:

Piglets don't need assistance at birth or umbilical cord cutting; within about 30 minutes to an hour, they can stand up and nurse. At 15-20 days, they start toddling around and begin eating grass and plants. When piglets are 1.5-2 months old and strong enough to eat food provided by humans, they are weaned and separated from the litter for breeding.

Newborn piglets can weigh 300-500 grams each, reaching 3-5 kg ​​at 1 month old, 8-10 kg at 2 months old, 25-30 kg at 6 months old, and 60-70% of their adult weight at 12 months old. With normal feeding methods and diets, piglets can reach 25-30 kg after 6 months and be ready for slaughter. To ensure good growth and development, piglets should be given colostrum as early as possible, ideally within 1-2 hours of birth. They should also be given daily exercise and close contact with humans.

VI. Veterinary Work

Wild boars are relatively new domesticated animals, so they have high resistance to disease and are less prone to outbreaks. However, wild boars are still susceptible to some diseases such as swine fever, diarrhea, hemorrhagic septicemia, foot-and-mouth disease, liver fluke disease, scabies, and other common ailments.

Gastrointestinal diseases (such as bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea, food poisoning...): When wild boars suffer from certain gastrointestinal diseases, you can use medications for abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and indigestion by oral or injectable forms. Alternatively, you can feed them 5-10 kg of wild coconut leaves, or supplement their diet with bitter or astringent foods and drinks such as green guava, carrots, betel nut roots, coconut roots, etc., which can also help. To prevent disease, feed must be hygienic, nutritious, and free from foul-smelling or moldy food.

Mechanical injuries: For minor injuries, clean and apply antiseptic; for major injuries, clean and disinfect before and after suturing, and inject a combination antibiotic such as Ampicillin, Tetracycline, or (Penicillin + Streptomycin)... Wild boar skin has a rapid regeneration ability, so it heals quickly.

Pneumonia: Pigs with pneumonia usually have a high fever, loss of appetite, or refuse to eat. Treatment involves broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Constipation: You can give laxatives or give foods that promote bowel movements...

Intestinal parasites: Pigs infected with intestinal parasites are often stunted, slow-growing, and have worm and fluke larvae in their feces. Deworming is necessary for these pigs.

External parasites: Ticks, mites, scabies, flies, mosquitoes, etc., attach to the skin, suck blood, and transmit diseases, but this rarely happens. Due to their wild nature, wild boars are not afraid of mosquito or other insect attacks. However, when wild boars are infected with external parasites, antiseptic ointments or sprays can be effective. To prevent external parasitic diseases, regular cleaning and disinfection of the enclosures and surrounding environment is recommended.
Value and market:

This pig breed has several advantages: its meat is delicious and distinctive, its skin is thin and crispy, it's lean with little fat, and has low cholesterol content, making it very popular with consumers and therefore fetching a high price. It also has low investment costs, consumes little feed, has a short rearing time, is easy to raise, reproduces well, has a high survival rate, and is less prone to disease.

According to the National Agricultural Extension Center - LY