Types of pigs. Description and characteristics of pigs of different breeds

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Pig breeding is considered one of the most popular animal industries. Currently, at least 100 species of pigs are known. They, in turn, are divided into several groups: decorative, meat-greasy, tallow and bacon breeds. The varieties of these animals will be discussed in this article.

Large White

Universal pig species have become widespread in large farms and private enterprises, as well as in small farms. Representatives of these breeds give both meat and lard. However, due to the late formation of fat, piglets are slaughtered for meat products.

The livestock of large white pigs, for the most part, is concentrated in Russia and the CIS countries, China, and also the USA. They were brought to our country from England. Local farmers immediately liked them, as they are unpretentious in food, quickly gaining weight. In addition, the taste of meat and fat in these animals is very high. The meat is very tender, it is called "marble" because it contains fat.

With quality care and good nutrition, pigs gain weight of 200kg within one year. Boars, that is, males, reach a weight of 370 kg, like sows. The body length is 195 and 160 cm in males and females, respectively. The neck is massive, long. The head is large, the forehead is high. The short ears are tilted forward. The growth of white pigs is not very large.

At one time the female can bring from 10 to 12 piglets. It is necessary to introduce minerals and various vitamins into the diet of animals so that the meat has good taste. To keep pigs he althy and large, they should be walked regularly. So, here are the main advantages of this breed of domestic pigs:

• Ability to quickly adapt to containment conditions.
• Unpretentiousness in food.
• Good fertility.
• Fast weight gain.

As mentioned earlier, these animals adapt well to climatic and food conditions. However, they may be affected by extreme cold or heat.

Breitovskaya

The Breit breed of pigs is the most common in the west and north-west of Russia. Representatives of this species become sexually mature early, and also gain weight in a fairly short time. If they are often walked on pastures, this will affect their size and taste of meat. For one farrowing, females bring at least 11 piglets. Possessing high immunity to many diseases, they reach a weight of a third of a ton already in their second year of life.

Siberian North

In ancient times, pig breeding in the northern regions wasdifficult, since most individuals do not adapt well to environmental conditions and do not tolerate cold. As a result, they slowly gain weight and do not differ in taste. However, breeders are currently working to develop pig species that could be bred in the northern regions.

Siberian northern belongs to such breeds. Its representatives feel comfortable not only in the Urals, but also in Siberia. Such pigs are unpretentious to food and conditions of detention. The cold is not terrible for them, since their entire body is covered with thick bristles that protect them from frost. This is their main feature. The number of representatives of this breed is constantly increasing.

Urzhumskaya

There are a large number of breeds of pigs for meat production. They have little fat, but meat, on the contrary, a lot. They are mainly distributed in such regions of Russia as the central and central black earth regions.

The Urzhum meat pig was bred during Soviet times by domestic breeders. Representatives of this breed have a strong physique. They have high fertility. You can breed them in any part of European Russia. The head of these pigs is round, the skeleton is strong, and the snout is elongated. The skin is covered with thick bristles. The limbs are stable, albeit small. The back is elongated, a rather large round belly practically touches the ground. With proper care, boars gain weight up to 330 kg, and females up to 240 kg. At one time, the sow brings at least 12 piglets, the mortality rate among which is very low. pigletsquickly gaining weight: every day, half a kilogram is added. Thus, after six months, their weight can be about 10 kg.

Vietnamese

This variety of meat pigs has become widespread in Russia, Canada and Europe after it was brought to these countries from Vietnam in 1984. These pigs of the meat direction have a small amount of fat, large sizes. Vietnamese bellied pigs reach a weight of 160 kg. After slaughter, from 74 to 85% of live weight is sold for sale. These are record numbers. The meat is of very high quality, it contains little cholesterol, as the body of pigs perfectly processes food of plant origin.

Animals are characterized by precocity and high fertility. For one farrowing, the female brings at least 15 piglets, which become sexually mature already in the fifth month of life. The first farrowing occurs at the age of six months. Pigs live for a long time, about 15 years. During this time they give a large offspring. Vietnamese vislobelly are distinguished by cleanliness. They relieve themselves in one place, while walking. They endure at night. The rooms where they are kept are always clean and dry. Animals also have excellent immunity, calm disposition. They are omnivorous and unpretentious. Because of these qualities, they have gained great popularity among farmers.

Landrace

Landrace pigs are representatives of an elite variety of beef cattle. They have lean meat with good taste and a thin layer of fat. These animals were bredat the beginning of the last century in Denmark.

The body of these pigs is strong, well-fed, slightly elongated. The hams are quite thick. A small rounded head is located on a thick massive neck. Long ears hang down on the organs of vision. The chest of the landrace pig is not wide, the back is elongated and even. Light bristles are quite rare. The body length of adult boars reaches 2 meters, chest girth - 160 centimeters. Sows are slightly smaller than males. Their body length and chest circumference are 1.5 m. Males weigh up to 300 kg, females weigh up to 210 kg. Piglets gain weight up to 19 kg in just a couple of months, and in six months they have 100 kg of live weight.

Representatives of this breed are considered one of the best of their kind. However, a few nuances must be observed so that the animals grow quickly and have good palatability.

• The pigsty needs to be insulated, otherwise, in the cold season, the pigs will grow thick bristles, and not gain weight.
• It is necessary to include grain products, fresh vegetables, greens in the diet. Whey, bone meal, reverse, silage will have a beneficial effect on the he alth and growth of animals. Do not forget about compound feed.
• In the summer, animals should be regularly released to pasture.

Duroc

This type of pig was bred at the end of the 19th century in the United States of America. The main feature of the representatives of this breed is an unusual color. Their skin is brown, with a hint of red. Pigs got their color fromprogenitors: Guinea and Berkshire pigs. In the sun, the skin may acquire a golden sheen.

Initially, Duroc pigs were raised for lard. However, due to the high demand for meat products, they began to be bred for meat. They have a strong physique. Their long ears almost completely cover their eyes. The back is slightly arched up. The limbs are very well developed, the hams are thick and well-fed. Both females and males reach large sizes, exceeding 300 kg. Newborn piglets weigh about one and a half kg, but in six months they reach a body weight of 175 kg. What are the advantages of Duroc pigs?

• They are actively growing and literally gaining mass at the speed of light.
• Their meat and products made from it have excellent taste.
• Young growth is very fast.
• Animals are calm and non-aggressive.
• Hardiness and ability to adapt to pasture conditions.

However, there are a number of disadvantages that are typical for representatives of this breed.

• Lower fertility compared to other pig breeds.
• Foolish picky: Be sure to include protein foods in your diet.
• Low disease resistance.

Berkshire hogs

There are also varieties of greasy pigs. At an early age, their growth of muscle mass is inhibited, they gain weight due to an increase in body fat. Despite the fact that these types of pigs can give not onlyfat, but also good meat, they are rarely bred.

The Berkshire pig breed was bred in England. Its representatives are distinguished by unpretentiousness and the ability to quickly adapt to the conditions of detention. They spend a lot of time on pastures. Due to their dark coloration, they can live outdoors. Pigs are growing fast. What they will give depends on their diet: meat or lard.

Large black

Another variety of pigs, brought to Russia from England, quickly gained popularity among farmers from all over our country. Representatives of the large black breed of pigs reach large sizes. At six months they weigh about 100 kg, and at an older age they reach a body weight of 300-350 kg. For one farrowing, sows bring 12 piglets, which gain half a kilogram of live weight daily.

Mirgorodskaya

This breed was bred as a result of crossing domestic and foreign varieties of pigs. It has become widespread in Russia and the CIS countries. The main advantages possessed by representatives of the Mirgorod breed of pigs include their unpretentiousness, high resistance to environmental conditions, as well as rapid weight gain. These animals can be kept on pastures. In order for them to grow quickly, you need to add turnips, sugar beets and potatoes to their diet. Newborn representatives of the Mirgorod pig breed daily gain from 600 to 650 g of weight.

Mangalitskaya

This kind of pig came to Russiaafter the end of the Great Patriotic War. It was bred in Hungary. In Russia, it is bred in the central regions, as well as in the Caucasus.

From other breeds of these pigs are distinguished by a thick coat that covers the entire body and warms animals in the cold season. In summer, it protects the pigs from annoying insects. Because of the wool, representatives of this breed are called "sheep pigs." The bristles form curls. However, if you breed pigs in warm regions of the country, then the bristles will not grow so actively. The coat can be white, reddish or black. Animals are of medium size. They have strong strong limbs. The advantages of pigs of this breed are as follows:

• Unpretentiousness to the conditions of keeping and feeding: animals do not need a warm room, vaccinations and expensive feed.
• Meat is considered a delicacy. Due to its unique taste, the number of pigs is decreasing.
• The rapid growth of piglets. By the age of six months, young individuals are fully formed.

Thus, representatives of the Mangalitsky breed are very productive and prolific. They not only produce quality meat, but also have a unique appearance.