Compared to other breeds, Yorkshire pigs are more common around the world. These animals occupy fourth place in terms of popularity. Such high demand is due to the good productivity of Yorkshire pigs. Boars of this variety are often used for crossing with representatives of other breeds.
Origin
The Yorkshire pig appeared in the mid-19th century, bred by a British farmer. However, Russian breeders met this animal 10 years later. The name of this variety of pigs was given according to the place of residence of the breeder. Yorkshires were created by crossing the White Leicester and the English Long-Eared. Also, in pigs of this breed, features of the Chinese variety are visible.
Characteristics and description of the breed
Yorkshires are distinguished by the following features:
- body weight reaches 350 kilograms (in sows - 250 kilograms);
- total length does not exceed 1.8 meters;
- massive breasts;
- a flat stomach does not sag;
- large but short hams;
- flat back and compact, narrow-minded head;
- the skin is smooth with sparse white hair.
Yorkshires do not show aggression, even after the appearance of young animals. These animals can be kept with other livestock. Sows are distinguished by abundant lactation, thanks to which adults are able to feed a large offspring of piglets. Animals of this breed are characterized by resistance to common diseases and the ability to quickly gain weight. Sexual maturity occurs after one year.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of Yorkshire pigs, breeders highlight the following:
- increased content of premium meat (in particular, marbled meat);
- can be fattened to produce high-quality bacon (lard);
- quickly reach large sizes (weight at 7 months reaches a hundredweight);
- ability to quickly adapt to new conditions;
- there are no feeding requirements;
- lack of pronounced aggressiveness;
- increased fertility;
- stable immunity to diseases in adults and piglets.
On average, emerging piglets weigh about 1 kilogram, regardless of the size of the litter. A month after birth, animals gain up to 20 kilograms. One sow can bear up to 10-12 or more piglets. If slaughter is carried out after 6 months, when the weight exceeds 100 kilograms, then breeders receive a large volume of bacon products.
But this is not the main feature of the Yorkshire breed. Breeders, with proper feeding, are able to obtain standard marbled pork, permeated with thin (up to 14 millimeters) layers of fat.
The disadvantages of the breed include skin that is sensitive to frost and high temperatures. This disadvantage is offset by proper organization of wintering and walking areas.
How to choose the right piglets to buy?
When purchasing Yorkshire piglets, you should pay attention to the main signs that characterize healthy animals:
- large and heavy head with a straight profile;
- thin-walled ears;
- straight legs with shiny hooves;
- the back and chest are wide;
- the belly does not sag, and there are no depressions on the withers;
- the tail is bent in a hook;
- when the jaw closes, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth;
- absence of discharge at the anus;
- smooth, shiny coat, lying close to the pink skin;
- pink and wet nickel;
- breathing is deep and even;
- good appetite and increased activity.
For home farms, it is recommended to purchase one-month-old piglets whose weight has not reached five kilograms. It is advisable to buy pigs born in winter or early spring. In summer it is easier to feed animals. The best piglets are those with a long back. Such animals quickly gain weight.
Conditions of detention and care
It is recommended to keep animals of this breed in pigsties that meet the following characteristics:
- minimum room area - 5 square meters;
- the walls of the pigsty are upholstered with thick planed boards and additionally insulated;
- the place for the animal’s den is separated from the rest of the pigsty by a bar;
- the height of the pigsty is at least two meters;
- a drinking trough is installed at the front wall;
- The piglet's den is located near the sow's place of residence.
Despite the fact that Yorkshire pigs are easy to care for, a number of rules must be followed when keeping these animals:
- Pigs are highly sensitive to high and low temperatures. It is recommended to keep both adults and piglets in a covered area with good thermal insulation.
- Piglets tend to dig through fences, and adults are capable of breaking a fence with their weight. This must be taken into account when organizing a walking area. To prevent animals from leaving the pen, it is necessary to strengthen the fence.
- In summer, on sunny days, the walking area should be closed. Prolonged contact with ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on the skin of animals.
- Walking pigs in winter is allowed for no more than one hour. However, this procedure should not be abandoned either. Without sufficient exercise, animal meat becomes tougher.
In addition, in order to prevent diseases, animals must be periodically shown to a veterinarian and vaccinated against common pathologies.
Feeding the pigs
To obtain high-quality meat, young animals are fed according to the following scheme:
- Up to 2.5 months, in addition to mother's milk, a small amount of boiled vegetables, chopped grass and porridge from crushed seeds, brought to a semi-liquid state, are introduced into the diet.
- For up to 5.5 months, boiled vegetables, potatoes, fish bone meal, green and dried grass, and kitchen waste are given. Piglets at this age should not gain more than 500 grams per day.
- Upon reaching 5.5 months of age, piglets are fed with concentrated protein compounds and legumes. The total daily weight gain during this period is 600-700 grams.
Adults are recommended to give:
- Concentrated feed consisting of oats, corn and barley. It is also allowed to give mixed feed and bran. All seeds must be thoroughly crushed.
- Juicy foods such as potatoes, carrots and beets. The first one is given boiled. Carrots are recommended to be fed to sows and piglets. And beets can be given along with the tops.
- Greenery. Pigs should be given nettles, quinoa, clover and peas in the summer. In the warm season, greens form the basis of the diet.
- Animal feed, which includes fish and meat waste. It is recommended to give milk to young animals.
- Additional food. This could be other food waste and mushrooms.
When feeding, it is recommended to supplement bran and acorns with greens and succulent food. If this rule is not followed, the pigs will become constipated.
Breeding Features
Sows reach sexual maturity at 12 months. A few days before the piglets appear, it is recommended to halve the amount of complementary feeding. During this period, the sow begins to create a nest from the hay, and colostrum appears from the udder. 2 days before the expected farrowing, the animal requires constant monitoring. Childbirth takes from 1.5 to 6 hours. After each piglet appears, it should be applied to the udder. If the pig is in an excited state, then the young animals are placed in a separate box for 2-3 hours.The umbilical cord should be discarded after birth.
Disease Control
Breeders of Yorkshire pigs are mainly faced with the development of rickets in young animals, the symptoms of which usually appear in the spring. Also, after winter, signs of vitamin deficiency are often observed. In order to prevent these diseases, it is necessary to introduce spruce branches into complementary foods. If the conditions of detention are not met, then pigs develop atrophic rhinitis, which is indicated by snorting and frequent sneezing. The latter disease should be treated by a veterinarian.
What breed can Yorkshires be confused with?
Outwardly, Yorkshires resemble representatives of the Optimus and White English breeds. But the former are distinguished by meat, which contains a small percentage of fatty layers.
Distribution of the breed in Russia
The Yorkshire breed is found mainly in the Volga region, in the North-Western and Central regions. Pigs of this variety are more often purchased by large farms, which is explained by the high cost of young animals.
