How can boar taint be avoided?
The concentration of skatole in boars can be reduced by altering feed types and maintaining clean living conditions. However, more complex methods are required to reduce androstenone levels: • Physical castration In the EU, the removal of piglets’ testicles, also known as “surgical castration” is the traditional way by which boar taint is prevented. The production of androstenone is stopped when the testes are removed and additionally, the concentration of skatole stored in the fatty tissues is reduced. Surgical castration is also the most frequently used method throughout the world to prevent boar taint and studies indicate that it is 99% effective. However, surgical castration raises many animal welfare issues because in most cases, it is performed without anaesthesia. Within the European Union piglets can be surgically castrated without anaesthetic within the first 7 days of their life. After this, castration must be performed by a veterinarian with suitable anaesthesia and pain rel
