Castrate 6 week old pig?

[HigherGround]

Is this too old? Is it a DIY job? I assume you cannot band pigs?

Sorry for the stupid question.

We dont have any other pigs, would it be a problem to leave intact?

He is a small Potbellied Pig.

Thanks!

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

It may not be a problem but he may for an attraction to one particular person and that could get ugly. Also it will keep him smelling better if he is castrated. And unless you are planning on breeding pot bellies (please don't, they are free ALL over craigslist all the time) then you don't need an intact male.


The only person I know breeding them is raising them for meat. And her breeding stock came from the 3 that were dumped in my yard last July.


For a pot belly I don't believe it's too old. If you have never done a pig castration, I'd call around to some local farmers and get somebody that has to do it. Doing them on the farm, we learned by trial and error but you don't want to mess up on a pet. Or get a vet to do it but PBs can have issues being under anesthesia so make sure he only uses a local instead of a general if they knock him out at all.


If you have never done them then you will need a holding board. (look up youtube videos of piglet castration) or somebody else to hold the pig. And the piglet will YELL.