I have two piglets that have scrotal ruptures/hernias. They are 2 weeks old. I noticed the ruptures when casterating the other boars this past Sat. Question-if I leave the rupture alone (neither piglet seems to be bothered by it) can I expect to get them to butcher size or at least roaster size? How old before boar taint comes into play? I'm not going to bring in a vet to do surgery as both these guys were tiny runts that are growing and even starting to thrive. I would sure appreciate a few comments. My first post about the hernias went unanswered. :>(

You can probably get them to roaster weight 150lbs without too much trouble. I would not let them go much longer. Keep in mind that there is always the chance the intestines could become strangulated and the pigs could suddenly die. I think leaving them as they are is the most practical approach.

Several years ago we had a boar that threw several scrotal rutures. We moved him out asap. What a mess we tried to fix 1 or 2 ourselves. So it can be hereditary. I have 1 right now myself the first one since the boar episode. He's a dandy we will watch him and might have him fixed. We took those others to roasting size without a problem.

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. Could the fact that they were so small when they were born (they were about 1/4 the size of the other piglets; didn't even think they were going to make it) have something to do with their development and they weren't fully developed in this area? Even though I like the boar I used (I did AI), I will not risk using him again.

Have your vet fix them if it goes away the first time you should be fine. But first I would stick a small needle in it and see if there is just fluid in it. Ive had one vet say I had a rupture and another find that it was just fluid.

I have a sow that has had 3 litters - 1st litter - all boar pigs herniated (3), 2nd litter 4 out of 5 herniated. 3rd litter I didn't cut and sold them all as cull pigs. Different sires each time, so genetically, I know it is her. I never breed her pure - so no chance of passing this on to a female replacement. I've been able to raise the pigs to 75 - 80 lbs without problems.

My vet put her on 20cc oral Metacam. this morning was her second dose. today she got up and took 3 steps to water. I am still taking her feed and water several times a day. how long should i expect this to take before she is better. how much better should i be expecting?

I'd get them fixed. Our vet did it in the parking lot of their office one afternoon. We helped and they charged us around $25. Took about 15 minutes. Well worth the money. We documented the boar we used and won't use him again.

What is considered roasting size?