I have been kicking around an idea of custom breeding (possibly farrowing) gilts and sows for those that don't have the facilities or expertise to do so.
I don't have anything exact as far as how it would look, but something in the range of a small deposit to hold a spot, bring gilt/sow to my farm (some health requirements would be in place), breed (likely with sychronization) and hold for 50 days, then pick up gilt/sow. Owner of animal pays for semen and shipping of semen. Otherwise feed/labor etc. would be included in the service fee.
Would be charged either a flat rate for service or a per day charge. There would likely be a guarantee of confirmed bred when leaving the farm. If can't service just lose of deposit and cost of semen, no other charges.
What are your thoughts? Would you use this service? How far would you travel? What would you be willing to pay to get a confirmed bred gilt?
Thanks.
Custom breeding program idea??
Re: Custom breeding program idea??
Well I guess for me it starts with your first sentence. You mention for those that don't have the facilities or expertise to do so, pretty much anyone who's going to farrow out a pig has the facilities to breed one (only takes a pen). That part I'll be honest I wouldn't really see anyone doing that, if anything people would probably be more apt to pay for a breeding service that comes directly to their farm and does the breeding. Whoever decides to take off with that idea I get 5% of all sales. 
I think you may be on to something a little more concrete in terms of farrowing out. Some people don't have the facilities to farrow out properly or maybe even at all but would like to have their pigs. In this case I would think the bred pig would be taken to your place with X amount of days till farrowing and would remain there until weaning.
The health issues or concerns that some people have would be extremely high. Some though might like the thought of buying a bred gilt/sow from somewhere and just show up and take the babies and the sows at 4 weeks old or so.
Just my opinion but I think you're reaching a bit with simply breeding at your place, considering there isn't much needed for someone to just breed a pig. You'd have to give some guarantees or something simply saying she didn't take wouldn't cut it in my book if that was your business motto. I would view it as I brought her there to get bred and I'm paying for that and she best get bred.
I think you may be on to something a little more concrete in terms of farrowing out. Some people don't have the facilities to farrow out properly or maybe even at all but would like to have their pigs. In this case I would think the bred pig would be taken to your place with X amount of days till farrowing and would remain there until weaning.
The health issues or concerns that some people have would be extremely high. Some though might like the thought of buying a bred gilt/sow from somewhere and just show up and take the babies and the sows at 4 weeks old or so.
Just my opinion but I think you're reaching a bit with simply breeding at your place, considering there isn't much needed for someone to just breed a pig. You'd have to give some guarantees or something simply saying she didn't take wouldn't cut it in my book if that was your business motto. I would view it as I brought her there to get bred and I'm paying for that and she best get bred.
Re: Custom breeding program idea??
Thanks for the response. I was just bouncing around the idea. That said I want to respond to a few things. Yes everyone can find space to breed a sow, but not everyone has a teaser boar or the knowledge/confidennce to breed a sow. This would probably be more of a fit for those folks, not someone that has a lot of experience doing so etc. Also, from a sheer number standpoint if I were to matrix gilts for synchronization that cost would be included v. buying a whole container of the product for one or two gilts.
For the health protocol, if you were highly concerned about it then yes, not a fit for you, but how many people take their gilts to several or dozens of shows and intermix them with many many pigs and then bring them home to breed? Big concern as well. Agreed it is a concern and why it won't fit most.
As far as a breeding guarantees. There would be one as far as you don't pay for the service or space/feed used, but the semen cost would still be yours. Reason is that if a gilt simply can't breed, cystic ovaries etc., that semen cost would be yours whether you bred her yourself and it failed or if I tried and failed.
Nothing was concrete, and it likely has too many holes to work but just wanted some feedback. Thanks for that.
For the health protocol, if you were highly concerned about it then yes, not a fit for you, but how many people take their gilts to several or dozens of shows and intermix them with many many pigs and then bring them home to breed? Big concern as well. Agreed it is a concern and why it won't fit most.
As far as a breeding guarantees. There would be one as far as you don't pay for the service or space/feed used, but the semen cost would still be yours. Reason is that if a gilt simply can't breed, cystic ovaries etc., that semen cost would be yours whether you bred her yourself and it failed or if I tried and failed.
Nothing was concrete, and it likely has too many holes to work but just wanted some feedback. Thanks for that.