Issues of Entire Boar Production

Boar Taint

Boar taint occurs in sexually mature male pigs; pork from these animals can produce an unsavoury odour when cooking and an unpleasant flavour when eaten. This is caused by two naturally occurring compounds:

Androstenone – A male pheromone synthesised in the testes. Androstenone has a URINE ODOUR.

Skatole – A metabolite of tryptophan produced in the hindgut of the pig which is excreted by females and castrates, but stored in the fat of entire males. Skatole has a FAECAL ODOUR.

Three quarters of consumers are sensitive to boar taint, this can significantly influence meat buying choices, and hence the profitability of British Pig Farming.

Welfare

Sexual maturing/mature boars exhibit fighting and mounting behaviour which can result in:

Mortality
Lameness
Injuries
Pregnant gilts
Skin lesions

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