Neutering, should I and if yes when?

[IDal]

My young boars (almost 11 weeks) seems te be bonding at the moment, so there is no immediate reason to neuter them. But reading around on the forum, I do see that it can be wise to neuter them just in case for the future. For instance to be able to match with a sow if something down the line should happen to one of them and the other one is left behind alone. I know there is different opinions as to how old a boar should be, but here in the Netherlands they seem to adhere the 4 months minimum. There is a vet relatively nearby that does neutering for rescues, so I’m confident in their experience.
Should I neuter them for a just in case situation while they are young or should I just leave them? And if I should do it, should I neuter them at the same time? Or first one and then the other, and if so does it matter the dominant one first or the submissive one first?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I regret never getting round to neutering my boys when they were younger - I could still do it now, they are 4 years old. Although my plan is to only ever have boar pairs, you just never know.
So, I would say, yes do it while they are young, just in case.

I come from primarily keeping rabbits and neutering and spaying is a necessity with them (for health and behaviour reasons) so it’s something I’m very used to. My two young does were spayed at the same time just over a year ago. Although it meant I had two recuperating bunnies to take care of, it also made it easier in that they both wanted peace and rest at the same time rather than one wanting to rest and the other who hadn’t had surgery wanting to play

 

[Wiebke]

My young boars (almost 11 weeks) seems te be bonding at the moment, so there is no immediate reason to neuter them. But reading around on the forum, I do see that it can be wise to neuter them just in case for the future. For instance to be able to match with a sow if something down the line should happen to one of them and the other one is left behind alone. I know there is different opinions as to how old a boar should be, but here in the Netherlands they seem to adhere the 4 months minimum. There is a vet relatively nearby that does neutering for rescues, so I’m confident in their experience.
Should I neuter them for a just in case situation while they are young or should I just leave them? And if I should do it, should I neuter them at the same time? Or first one and then the other, and if so does it matter the dominant one first or the submissive one first?

Hi

I mostly adopt already neutered boars to live with sows in my piggy room but I have also adopted the odd baby to live with a single boar who for some reason didn't click with the ladies and had them neutered at the earliest possible age for me(4-6 months) to avoid any pregnancies in case of an accidental meeting but also to enable them with sows after a death or fall-out with their older male companion - in fact, both my boar babies now live with a sow each. I do have access to an excellent neutering vet, though.

Elective surgery is always a bit of a toss up but if you have access to a good vet with experience in piggy neutering, then it is certainly a consideration. You do indeed have a lot more options in case of a teenage parting of ways or a death, which is the big advantage of neutering. The neutering itself will not prevent any personality clashes and will curb any hormone spikes not massively as a lot of testosterone is coming via the pee. Only baby boar castration will do that, but that practice is pretty much restricted to German speaking countries.
It is always much harder when you opt for an operation that is medically not strictly necessary because you can never quite exclude all risks of post-op complications.

If you decide to go through with it, please have both boys done at the same time. My own youngsters stayed together with their mates for the whole time (including as 'paw holders' at the vet's). That way, they are 'ill' at the same time and recover together without impinging on the hierarchy.

Here is our neutering info, which you may find helpful: Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[IDal]

Hi

I mostly adopt already neutered boars to live with sows in my piggy room but I have also adopted the odd baby to live with a single boar who for some reason didn't click with the ladies and had them neutered at the earliest possible age for me(4-6 months) to avoid any pregnancies in case of an accidental meeting but also to enable them with sows after a death or fall-out with their older male companion - in fact, both my boar babies now live with a sow each. I do have access to an excellent neutering vet, though.

Elective surgery is always a bit of a toss up but if you have access to a good vet with experience in piggy neutering, then it is certainly a consideration. You do indeed have a lot more options in case of a teenage parting of ways or a death, which is the big advantage of neutering. The neutering itself will not prevent any personality clashes and will curb any hormone spikes not massively as a lot of testosterone is coming via the pee. Only baby boar castration will do that, but that practice is pretty much restricted to German speaking countries.
It is always much harder when you opt for an operation that is medically not strictly necessary because you can never quite exclude all risks of post-op complications.

If you decide to go through with it, please have both boys done at the same time. My own youngsters stayed together with their mates for the whole time (including as 'paw holders' at the vet's). That way, they are 'ill' at the same time and recover together without impinging on the hierarchy.

Here is our neutering info, which you may find helpful: Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

Then I will definitely look into it. They seem to be doing ok as to bonding at the moment, so that is not the reason it now. I have of course thought about what of down the line they do have a fall out, but I’m hoping a separation won’t be necessary. It’s more the future where they will possibly not both reach the same age and one of them being left behind.

They are both big boys, so I probably should not wait to long.

 

[Wiebke]

Then I will definitely look into it. They seem to be doing ok as to bonding at the moment, so that is not the reason it now. I have of course thought about what of down the line they do have a fall out, but I’m hoping a separation won’t be necessary. It’s more the future where they will possibly not both reach the same age and one of them being left behind.

They are both big boys, so I probably should not wait to long.

All the best! Boars at that young age will usually heal pretty quickly.

 

[Engel]

I have 4 boars, 2 of which have been neutered. I only got Cyril and Basil neutered because they fell out and I decided to pair them with sows. When one of my boys from my boar pair goes I'll probably pair him with one of my neutered boys. But if I'm honest I think that any future boars I have will be neutered. I'm lucky to have a vet that is very confident in the operation and are very approachable. If you have a vet that is confident in the procedure and pre/post op care then why not. My boys were 4 months and 8 months old when they had it done.