One boar is required for every 15 to 20 sows. The boar should be kept separately in a pen with a minimum floor area of 7,0 m². However, if the pen is to be used for servicing purposes, a minimum floor area of 9,3 m² is required, with the shortest side not shorter than 2,1 m. This is necessary so that the boar may easily turn around in his pen.
The floor in the boar pen should be non-slippery and equipped with bedding. If the pen is used for servicing, the floor should be free of slats and other obstructions. The floor is cast with a fall towards the sides to enable urine to drain towards a shallow manure channel on the side of the service passage or along the side of the building.
The channel in turn drains to the main manure channel.
All non-solid gates should be designed with vertical spacers to prevent the boars from climbing up against the gates. The spacers are usually made of round iron pipes, with a 20 mm diameter, spaced vertically,no further apart than 75 mm. The height of the gate should correspond with the height of the surrounding wall, that is 1 400 mm.
Each boar requires a trough of between 460 mm and 600 mm long,150 mm to 200 mm high and 500 mm wide. The condition of the boar is important because he cannot be allowed to become too heavy for the sow.
The boar pen has to be cool, well ventilated and free of draughts. If possible, the temperature in the pen should never go higher than 22 °C for long periods. Boars that are exposed to temperatures of higher tan 32 °C may become infertile for up to six weeks thereafter. Sufficient roof insulation is essential for proper temperature control.
