With all the demands of preparing for winter in cold climate areas, boar care can easily be overlooked. Boars housed outside in cold weather need extra attention to prevent reduction of their reproduction ability. Good body condition is essential for boars in an outdoor production setting. Without proper body condition during cold winter months, semen production and breeding activity can be adversely affected.

The dietary energy level (calories) needs to be increased during cold weather to meet increased energy needs. Insufficient energy intake will result in less use of protein and fat the body stores to keep warm during cold weather resulting in loss of body condition and decreased reproduction performance. The following is a list of cold weather management reminders for boar care:

• Keep boars dry: wet animals are far more susceptible to frostbite.
• Provide plenty of dry bedding to decrease body heat loss.
• Ensure boars are in good body condition prior to the beginning of the cold weather season.
• Locate boar houses in an area protected from strong winds.
• Place insulation-type material (such as straw bales) around the outside of the boar house.
• Increase the amount of the ration fed during cold weather. But be careful not to overfeed boars as this can also cause reproductive performance problems.
• Be sure the drinking water supply is unlimited, ice-free, and clean.

Article printed originally as "Cold Weather Boar Care," by Jane Hall in N.C.O.P.P. Network News, November/December, 1995, Volume 5, Number 7/8.  For more information about the N.C.O.P.P. call (209) 642-2450