In the world in the direction of productivity of domestic pigs are divided into 3 types: meat (bacon), greasy, meat and meat. Breeders bred approximately 100 breeds of pigs. If you are in search of the best of any kind, we will introduce you to them in this article.
Meat breeds
As is already clear from the name of the species, the breeds assigned to it are divorced to produce meat. It is their representatives that have the most nutritious and tasty meat, represented in the greatest volumes. In appearance, they differ from others in their elongated body and shallow sternum. They have massive hams, and the front is much smaller than the back. In different breeds, one individual can produce from 58 to 80% meat and from 21 to 32% fat.
We have selected for you a description of the 11 most popular meat breeds.
Check out also the features of the appearance of pig breeds.
Landrace
Pigs Landrace received at the beginning of the last century by the efforts of breeders from Denmark, who crossed a Danish pig with an English white. As a result, an artiodactual with a strong body, prone to extension of the body, straight back, narrow sternum, small head, which rests on a thick neck, and medium length limbs, appeared. A distinctive feature of the representatives of the breed Landrace - large long ears that hang above the eyes. Their skin is thin with a pink sheen, white thin bristle grows on it.
Males have a body length of about 2 m and a weight of 280-300 kg, females - about 1.6 m in length and 200-220 kg in weight. However, despite the impressive size and weight, these pedigree pigs are quite active and have a good-natured disposition.
Learn more about breeding Landrace pigs.
Animal reproduction is most often carried out by specialists, however, if the necessary conditions are provided, then mating and childbirth can also be carried out at home. The admissible number of boars for a boar is 30 per year, for juveniles up to 15. In case of successful mating, offspring are born on the 114th day. Uterus Landras is very prolific - at a time can bring more than 10 piglets.
Important! Too frequent mating of boars leads to the fact that he has significantly deteriorated sperm quality, with the result that after 5-6 years it will become unsuitable for reproduction. Therefore, it is important not to overdo this process.
The main advantage of pigs Landrace - this is what they contain meat by 2-5% more than in other breeds. They accumulate a small percentage of fat. In addition, young animals are characterized by rapid growth - at 2 months the babies already have a mass of about 20 kg, and in the most active growth periods they gain 700 g per day. 100 kg of wild boar weigh only 6 months after birth.
Among the shortcomings - in purebred pigs weak hind limbs, because of which, when walking and running, they strongly wag the backside. Therefore, it is usually preferred to cross this breed in all countries of the world with other, local thoroughbred boars in order to get stronger individuals.
Did you know? The pig became one of the first animals domesticated by man. There are archaeological evidence found in the Middle East, indicating that it was cultivated by man 12.7-13 thousand years ago. The remains of domestic artiodactyls were also found in Cyprus. According to the calculations of archaeologists, they are over 11 thousand years old.
Duroc
Duroc boars appeared at the end of the XIX century. To obtain them, the red Guinean and Berkshire pigs were crossed. Breed is registered in the USA. Its representatives are large in size: body length of both males and females is about 1.8 m, weight is 300 kg. They have strong body build, medium head, long ears that hang over forehead, back in the form of an arc, high, strong limbs. A bright distinctive characteristic of Duroc pigs is the color: it is red in them.
For the purpose of breeding, the cultivation of these pedigree is impractical, since the uterus is not too prolific. In industry, two boars are used to cover one female. When mating with other breeds, good hybrids come out with excellent productivity and endurance.
Read also what features of Duroc breed pigs
The advantages of Duroc pigs include:
- content in one individual from 58 to 70% of high quality meat;
- precocity - the pigs per day are able to gain 700-900 g, and in two months their body weighs 190 kg;
- endurance;
- adaptability to walking on pastures;
- calm, good-natured character.
Among the disadvantages are the following characteristics:
- low fertility of sows - an average of 8 piglets in one litter;
- propensity for atrophic rhinitis disease;
- intelligibility in the diet - it is necessary to have food that contains proteins, therefore feeding these boars is rather expensive.
Estonian bacon
These pigs were formed on the basis of Finnish, large white and Landrace breed. The efforts of breeders have led to the appearance of animals with a body of a stretched format, a strong build, a medium head, and strong short legs. The ears are large, hanging down over the eyes. The color is white, with a pinkish tinge.
Mature boars have a body length of up to 1.85 m and weigh 300 kg. Mature females have a body length of 1.65 m, weight - 260 kg. In the carcass can hold up to 65% of the meat.
We advise you to learn more about the features of breeding pigs.
Estonian bacon is raised for meat, selling breeding stock and crossing with other pedigree pigs. The latter is possible due to the fact that the uterus is fertile and are good mothers, and this significantly affects the survival of offspring. Piglets gain weight per day for 700-750 g.
They prefer to breed these thoroughbreds, because they have tasty, tender and good meat, they are adapted for walking on pastures, they have high fertility rates, good preservation and precociousness of young animals, inherent simplicity to feed.
These pigs have a few minuses. These include flaws in the physique - the presence of a loose and hanging sacrum, as well as the weakness of the headstocks.
Berkshire
Berkshire breed got the British. They crossed large English and Chinese pigs. From their ancestors, these pedigree representatives inherited a sturdy body build with good proportions, a wide and deep chest, a straight back, a medium head, small erect ears with a slight inclination forward. Their color is black with white spots on the legs, snout and tail. If we compare the Berkshire boars with other breeds, their constitution is very harmonious and stately.
Adult males weigh 220-250 kg, females - 180-220 kg. Their meat is of excellent quality. With the carcass goes up to 88% meat.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules of feeding pigs.
Representatives of the described breed can not be called prolific - on average, they give birth to 8-9 babies. However, the piglets are rather quick-moving - by the age of six months they have a weight of about 100 kg, and the daily increase reaches 670-750 g.
The undoubted advantages of Berkshire wild boar include:
- excellent proportionality of meat and fat;
- excellent quality of meat products, especially in young individuals;
- high slaughter yield;
- the possibility of grazing in the pasture;
- picky to content and food.
The infertility of females can be considered as disadvantages of berkshirs, which makes them unprofitable to keep them for sale as well as limbs, standing by the letter "X".
Lithuanian white
Registration of Lithuanian white pig carried out in Lithuania in the early twentieth century. These large, strong artiodactyls are characterized by a stretched body 175 cm long (155 cm in sows) and a medium-sized head located on an average length and thickness of the neck. Their ears are small and, unlike most bacon rocks, do not hang above the eyes. Their back is straight, wide, slightly arched. Limbs correctly set, have an average length. Bristle color white.
Adult males weigh 330 kg, female - 260 kg. Pigs at six months of age have a mass of about 100 kg. Their daily increase reaches 750 g.
Sows are considered to be multiple, as 12 or more children can be farrowed at a time.
You also need to learn about such swine diseases as: African plague, pasteurellosis, parakeratosis, erysipelas.
In order to improve the quality of meat products, Lithuanian white pigs are often combined with the Landrace breed. At the same time, the average daily weight gain in hybrids increases by 8-10%, and the cost of feed is reduced by 0.35-1.45 feed units.
The meat yield in animals belonging to this breed is 55%, fat - 3.6%.
The advantages of the Lithuanian white pig are good reproductive characteristics, high-quality meat, especially in hybrids. Among the shortcomings of defects in the external data are the drooping sacrum, weak headstocks, the presence of interception in the area of the shoulder blades.
Pietrain
The Belgian Pietrain pigs were obtained by crossing a local pig, large white, Berkshire and Yorkshire breeds. They are well built, with a large muscular body. The head is not large. Ears are small and sticking out. Their body color is spotted.
Boars gain weight up to 250 kg, females - up to 230 kg.
Pietrain has more disadvantages than advantages. Therefore, they are most often used to produce hybrids in order to improve meat quality.
Read also what is a breed of pig petren
Breed Benefits:
- good meat yield - up to 70%;
- Do not be obese.
Disadvantages:
- low fertility of sows - on average, 8 individuals;
- minor daily weight gain by piglets - 500-550 g;
- poor health and predisposition to stress;
- demanding feed;
- low quality meat;
- poor tolerance to low and high temperatures.
Lacombe
Lacombe pigs appeared in Canada, where they are still popular among farmers. Having set goals to achieve animals with good exterior and meat qualities, as well as being quite prolific, the livestock breeders fully implemented them.
The average Lacombe grunts weigh 272 kg, females - 222 kg. The animals are medium in size, have an elongated body, a small head, large ears hanging down to the eyes and short legs. By temperament phlegmatic, in unpretentious care.
Farmers love this breed for such positive qualities as:
- the multiplicity of sows;
- good growth of young stock;
- calm temper;
- resistance to stress;
- carcass uniformity;
- resistance to rhinitis.
Hampshire
Artiodactyls got the name from the English province where they were bred - Hampshire. However, they received official recognition in the United States.
Males weigh 300-320 kg each, females weigh 230-250 kg. They have an elongated body, straight wide back, small head and ears, short limbs. Easily recognizable by color - it is black with a white belt at the top of the case.
The disadvantages of this breed are almost the same as advantages. They prefer to grow it for crossing with other pedigree boars in order to improve the quality of meat, since the Hampshires have a thin fatty layer, as well as get early ripening.
UhThese pigs are characterized by endurance, strong immune system and performance, good weight gain and well-developed maternal instinct. At the same time they are very shy, prone to stress, infertile (6-8 pigs in one litter).
Important! Hampshire pigs are so shy and unstable to stress that any situation that is uncomfortable for them or poor conditions are immediately reflected on weight gain. In piglets even full growth arrest is possible. Therefore, it is important to ensure that pigs receive everything they need and have proper care.
Urzhumskaya
Urzhum pigs were bred and recognized in the middle of the last century in Russia. These are large, sturdy, artiodactyls with a massive bone structure. They have a light-looking front and a long middle part. The body of the boar is compact in length - 180 cm, the uterus - 170 cm. The head is small, the ears are heavy, hang over the eyes. The back is flat, the belly is large, hanging. Limbs strong, powerful. The skin is covered with white bristles.
Adult male gains 350 kg, female - 100 kg less.
We advise you to read about other breeds of pigs: Hungarian mangalica, Vietnamese vislobryukhaya, karmala, red-belted, downy mangalica
Reproductive functions and maternal instinct in Urzhum pigs is well developed. Uterus are many-fold - on average, between 11 and 13 piglets are brought in one offspring. Weight gain in young stock per day is about 720 g. The level of productivity in these animals is 53-55% of meat and 35-36% of fat. The layer of fat - about 2.5 cm. The meat has excellent characteristics, suitable for the manufacture of bacon.
Breeders prefer to breed this breed for the reason:
- high quality meat;
- opportunities to graze on pasture;
- lack of care;
- resistance to frost temperatures and, accordingly, the possibility of growing in the northern regions;
- calm temper;
- well-developed maternal instinct in females.
All of the above advantages overlap the breed's few drawbacks: an arched back, a drooping sacrum, and a small thickness of fat under the skin.
Tamworth
One of the oldest breeds in the world, obtained in England. Its representatives are characterized by a strong body, a well-developed bone system and a pronounced musculature, a long torso. Their head is small, placed on a thick elongated neck. Ears are large, upright. Limbs are powerful. The body is covered with wool of various shades.
Fecundity of females is low - 6-10 piglets. The growth of young stock is good - they weigh 100 kg at the age of seven to eight months.
Among the advantages of pigs Tamworth:
- friendly and relaxed nature;
- endurance;
- adaptability to low temperatures;
- pickiness to feed;
- meat of excellent quality;
- pronounced maternal instinct in sows.
Mangal
Boars Brazier looks similar to their ancestors - wild pigs and Hungarian mangalitsa. You can recognize them by the long curly hair, on the back it stands on end, which makes it similar to wild ancestors. That it allows them to survive in a harsh climate. These are large massive animals with large bellies, even backs and short limbs. Color may be different. Little piglets have stripes on their backs.
Adults weigh 250-300 kg (boar), 160-200 kg (sow). Recorded record holders who have reached the mass of half a ton.
The main advantage of boars Brazier - beautiful in quality and taste of meat. They are not picky about care and feed, they are distinguished by early maturity, endurance, and adaptation to frosty temperatures.
Disadvantages a little. Among them - low growth rates in the younger generation (at six months of age gaining only 70 kg), a small fecundity of females (8-10 piglets), high cost, rarity.
Find out why castration of piglets is needed and how to use pig manure as a fertilizer
Meat breeds
Representatives of the meat-or-universal species are characterized by a rapid collection of body weight and fatty tissues. One individual belonging to this species can produce from 53 to 65% of meat and from 29 to 37% of fat.
Large white
A large white pig appeared on the livestock breeders court at the end of the 19th century in England. Accordingly, the name is characterized by powerful forms. - she has a wide back and chest, large rear, large gammon. The head and ears are small. Legs are short. The belly is taut. The tender skin is covered with white bristles.
Large white males weigh 340 kg, females - 230. Young growth rapidly gains weight - 600-900 g per day. A year can weigh about 200 kg.
We recommend to get acquainted in detail with the features of large white pigs.
The meat yield of this breed is 82%. The benefits also include:
- good endurance;
- calm temper;
- fertility (10-12 piglets in one litter);
- lack of care and feed;
- high precocity.
Unfortunately, these boars have a lot of flaws. Among them:
- propensity for excessive weight gain, obesity;
- weak tanks;
- hanging sacrum;
- in the open sun in summer, the skin suffers from burns.
Ukrainian white steppe
The breed was created in order to adapt well to the climate of the south of Ukraine. Local individuals were bred with large white boars and received a Ukrainian steppe white boar named Ascanius I. Today, individuals belonging to this breed are characterized by strong bones, of medium size by the head, large ears facing the eyes, strong limbs, dense skin and thick white bristles.
Boars weigh 300-340 kg, pigs 210-230 kg. Pigs are multifaceted - they give 10-12 babies each. Offspring is actively gaining weight - 100 kg for 192 days. Daily weight gain is 700 g.
The productivity of this livestock can be judged by the following figures: slaughter yield - 80-84%, meat yield - 53-54%, fat output - 35-36%.
Read also, what features of keeping pigs in deep litter
Advantages:
- adaptation to hot dry climatic conditions;
- endurance;
- undemanding to food and living conditions.
Disadvantages:
- the frequent presence of obesity;
- hanging sacrum.
Ukrainian steppe speckled
На вид это массивное животное с широкой грудиной, спинной и поясничной зонами, некрупной головой, большими, практически закрывающими глаза ушами и хорошо развитыми окороками. Окрас - пятнистый.
Самцы имеют живой вес 270-310 кг, самки намного меньше - 190-230 кг. Последние характеризуются высоким уровнем плодовитости - способны родить за раз до 14 детенышей. Привес в массе малышей равняется 600-700 г. Вес в центнер у них устанавливается спустя 6-7 месяцев после рождения.
Популярность украинской степной рябой свиньи объясняется следующими достоинствами:
- the ability to live and multiply in hot, dry conditions;
- endurance;
- the ability of females to give birth to more than 12 piglets at a time;
- well developed maternal feelings in queens;
- balanced character.
Kemerovo
Breed approved in 1960 in Russia. For its formation was attracted many other breeds. The individuals obtained are distinguished by a large body with the correct proportions, a medium head, small erect ears, a broad back, strong limbs, black color with small white spots.
Boars weigh 330-350 kg, pigs weigh 100 kg less. Uterus give birth to 10-11 piglets. Young individuals are characterized by precocity - at 6 months they weigh 100 kg. Weight gain per day can reach 750 g
Meat in Kemerovo pigs from 55 to 60%.
These pedigree individuals can survive in a sharply continental climate, are very hardy, and are characterized by a high degree of survival. They are demanding of food and react badly to an incomplete diet.
North Caucasus
The North Caucasus breed was established in the middle of the last century in Russia. Her representatives are strong, well-built animals. They have medium head, protruding ears, wide chest, strong limbs, black and motley color.
Adult boars weigh 310-350 kg, pigs - 230-250 kg. The latter give birth to 12 piglets. The young grow rapidly, 100 kg are gaining to the age of six to seven months. In the knock add 700-750 g.
Animals tolerate frosts well, can graze on pastures, are omnivorous, respond normally to any food, are characterized by endurance and resistance to characteristic ailments. Thin skeleton is the only drawback of North Caucasian wild boars.
We advise you to learn how to breed and maintain goats, geese, cows, turkeys, rabbits
Livenskaya
From the beginning of the 19th century, the creators of liven pigs worked to make them large, strong, with a massive bone system. Their bodies are of a stretched format, wide, about 175 cm long (females - 165 cm). The head is shortened. Ears are large, hang forward. The back of some individuals found in the form of an arc. Legs set correctly, strong. In the majority of animals, the color of the bristles is white with gray spots. However, it is also found black, red with variations.
With proper care and rational feeding, the adult male gains 310-320 kg, female - 230-240 kg. Meat in the carcass is at the level of 50-55%. Females produce good offspring - usually 10-11 young at a time. Children grow rapidly, gaining 700-750 grams per day, by 6-7 months they weigh a centner.
Among the advantages of Lebanese pigs worth remembering:
- ability to graze on pastures;
- picky for food;
- endurance;
- calm character.
Murom
The artiodactyl, bred by Russian breeders, is characterized by a strong constitution with correct proportions, a straight back, a small head, large ears hanging forward, pronounced ham. Their bristles are soft, white.
Animals are highly productive. Boars weigh 330 kg, and uterus weigh 250 kg. For one litter 10-12 babies are born. Offspring quickly gaining weight, 700-750 per day, reaching for half a centner.
Meat from the carcass is 60-65%, fat - 25-30%. Meat is suitable for bacon production.
Breed advantages:
- early maturity of the younger generation;
- the multiplicity of females;
- strong constitution;
- ability to feed on pastures;
- calm temper.
Siberian North
Another popular universal breed is the Siberian North. As the name implies, these animals are adapted to life in a harsh climate. Their sizes are small - the body is up to 185 cm long for boars and up to 165 cm long for queens. Weight - 360 and 250 kg, respectively. The body is well built. The head is small. The ears are erect. Legs short, but strong, with well-marked ham. The bristles are long, white. There is a thick undercoat that saves the animal from frost.
Meat yield - 55%. Females give 10-12 cubs, the weight of which is 700-750 g.
Advantages of the Siberian northern pigs:
- they are hardy;
- have a calm nature;
- perfectly tolerate frosty temperatures;
- females are well developed maternal feelings.
Sebaceous breeds
Representatives of the sebaceous breeds have a wide and deep body, the front part is somewhat larger than the back. One individual of the greasy type can contain from 40 to 45% fat and about 53% of meat.
Large black
A native of England, who appeared over two centuries ago. For its formation, 3 breeds were crossed: the local long-eared, Chinese black and Neapolitan. As a result, an animal was created with the correct proportions, a rather powerful body, a small head, large hanging ears, deep sternum, strong erect legs.
The productivity of large black pigs is capable of striking. Adult males gain weight up to 400 kg, females - up to 300. The yield of tender and excellent taste of meat is 52%, fat - 41%.
The advantages of the breed do not end there, because the uterus is distinguished by high multiplicity - 12 pups per childbirth. Kids have an excellent daily increase - 700 g.
But there are practically no flaws. These include numerous folds on the skin and a saggy back.
Mirgorodskaya
The Mirgorod pig was singled out in a separate breed in 1940 and since then it has consistently been included in the lists of the most popular of the greasy species. It has a powerful body, strong back, medium head, small erect ears, powerful legs. Color - black and motley.
Learn how to breed Mirgorodsky pig breeds on your site.
Mature males gain 300 kg, females - 100 kg less. Fecundity of females - 10 pigs, which is considered a good indicator. They are strongly attached to babies and are responsible mothers. Kids are actively developing, gaining weight in a day about 700 g.
The main advantage of Myrhorod pigs is their fat, it is recognized as a reference, since it has a width of 4.5 cm and excellent taste. But the meat output is rather poor.
Did you know? In the Middle Ages there were courts that tried pigs. Walking freely through the streets of settlements, these omnivorous animals often broke into houses and injured or killed young children. Such animals were tried and sent to prison, often they were even executed..
So, when selecting a breed of pig, you should consider the fact for what purpose you want to contain it. Among the meat, meat and grease breeds there are many worthy specimens, breeding which can both help build a successful business, and please their relatives with high-quality meat and bacon. Before you purchase a particular breed, you should be familiar with the requirements for its content.
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