Description of pig breeds and selection criteria for home breeding

Pig farming is a thriving productive livestock industry. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, the classifier includes more than 100 types of pig breeds with different characteristics and the composition of the resulting meat. Piglets are raised for meat, lard and skins. The industry of growing ornamental pigs stands out separately. Let's look at the most popular and interesting breeds of domestic pigs raised in our country.

What does a pig look like?

Domestic pigs are artiodactyl mammals, representatives of the wild boar subspecies, domesticated by humans more than 700 years ago. The average size of the animal is 1.5 meters in length. There are dwarf and giant species, standard species, differing in skin color and constitutional parameters.

Features of the appearance of pigs:

• The muzzle is large, elongated, the nose is a shortened trunk with a snout.
• The skin is rough, covered with hair - bristles.
• The number of teeth is 44, including 4 fangs.
• The legs are short, slender, four-toed.
• The lateral toe on the hoof is well developed, allowing the animal to dig in the ground in search of food.
• Big ears.
• Small, spring-curled tail.

On a note! Many people believe that pigs move little and cannot run; this statement is erroneous; when pigs are kept in large pens, animals can reach speeds of up to 18 km/h.

How are breeds classified?

Domestic pig species are classified based on the type of meat they produce. Which one is profitable for cultivation is determined by the farmer based on the characteristics of the species. The following types and classification are distinguished:

• universal;
• meat and bacon;
• meat-fat;
• greasy.

Decorative species are very popular among the population; animals are raised not for slaughter, but as pets. Wild varieties of pigs can be found everywhere, some species are listed in the Red Book, for example, the Babirussa pig.

The register of domestic species is periodically updated, thanks to the work of breeders, and includes more than 100 species.

The most interesting meat breeds

Let's consider popular meat breeds for home breeding; the weight of such animals is average, the greasy layer is small, such individuals are kept in pens and enclosures, with the possibility of walking.

Duroc

The Duroc meat breed is based on the genetic code of Guinean animals that were brought to the American continent from Africa. It was included in the Russian register in 1993 and recommended for cultivation in all regions of our country.

Features and Specifications:

• The yield of meat from the carcass is 65%.
• The thickness of the sebaceous layer is no more than 1.8 centimeters;
• The average daily gain is 800 grams.
• The color of the bristles is brown-red.
• Body length - 1.8 meters.
• The productive type is meat.
• Legs are powerful and massive.
• The weight of a female is up to 300 kilograms, a boar is 350 kilograms.

The disadvantages of Durocs include low fertility; in one birth, the female gives birth to no more than 10 piglets.

Pietrain

Favorite variety of Europeans. Pietrain meat produces high-quality bacon with thin streaks of fat. Obtained by crossing two English purebred breeds: Yorkshire and Large White. Pietrain is not the most popular variety in Russia. Males are often purchased as studs to create hybrids with improved meat quality.

From one Pietrain head it is possible to obtain up to 75% meat, this is a very high figure. Fat accumulates in small quantities. The average weight of an adult is 240 kilograms. If the growing conditions are met, the average daily gain per piglet is approximately 500 g, while the young animals are characterized by strong immunity, and piglets rarely get sick.

The negative aspects of the breed include low fertility (there are 8-9 cubs in the offspring of one female), demanding conditions of keeping and nutrition.Pietrain is not included in the Russian state register.

Landrace

Popular meat pigs for home pig farming. It is distinguished by its white color and soft light bristles. The average weight of an individual is 270 kilograms; 68% of the meat can be obtained from one head.

Landrace is included in the state register of Russia and is recommended for breeding in private and private farms.

The variety was bred in Denmark and gained popularity in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. Pigs are not aggressive and are very active, despite their considerable weight in adulthood. Landraces are not picky about food, they are highly productive and early ripening, the average daily growth of a small individual is 730 g.

Hampshire

American pigs of the meat variety. Its color is unique: the black part of the body is diluted with white color. It seems that the animal was “glued together” from several halves. Characteristics of appearance: the shape of the body is elongated, the legs are short but powerful. The weight of an adult is about 250 kg; males can gain weight of 310 kg. Meat yield - 66%, lard - 25%.

Subject to keeping conditions and proper nutrition, the average daily weight gain is 1000 g. The quality of the meat is excellent, the main disadvantage of the pig variety is low fertility.

Tamworth

Pigs of this breed are suitable for fattening and growing in regions with cold climates. At the same time, Tamworth can be raised together with cattle and is suitable for keeping on pastures.

The disadvantage of the breed is frequent shedding, which requires special care, and curly bristles.

The color of pigs is reddish-brown. The breed is characterized by multiple births; one sow can give birth to 11 piglets.

Estonian bacon

Popular in the Baltic states, Germany and Moldova, adapted to the climate of most Russian regions.Estonian bacon does not have high requirements for maintenance and care. The young animals rarely get sick, have high immunity, and the female gives birth to up to 12 piglets per fertilization.

The meat is of high quality, the average weight of an adult is 260 kilograms, boars can reach a weight of 330 kilograms. The average daily gain is 700 g.

Vietnamese pot-bellied

The Asian breed of pigs is not yet registered in the Russian state register, but every year it is gaining popularity in home breeding among domestic farmers. Pigs of this breed are distinguished by compact parameters, rapid puberty and high immunity. Color: black with marbled spots. Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs digest plant foods well; a layer of subcutaneous fat in pigs of this breed is practically not formed; the meat yield per head is 70%.

Sows demonstrate high fertility - up to 20 piglets in one litter. The Vietnamese pot-bellied dog has an easy-going nature; the breed can be raised in a common yard with cattle, birds and other domestic animals.

Meat early ripening (SM-1)

Domestic variety of pigs for meat purposes. It was bred using polyhybrid selection. It is characterized by high early maturity and growth intensity, the average daily growth is 750 grams. Females give birth to 10 piglets in one litter. Early ripening meat is adapted for cultivation throughout the country. The meat yield per head is 62%.

Greasy varieties

The main breeds of this direction demonstrate high fertility, from 12 to 16 piglets in one litter. The meat yield of such pigs when raised at home is less than that of the bacon variety, but the tallow varieties are no less popular.

Berkshire sowhawks

An English purebred variety of proportional build, not demanding in terms of growing conditions and feed. Color is black, white spots are allowed on the face, chest and legs. The average weight of a sow is 220 kilograms, a boar is 260 kilograms. The lethal yield from one head is 85%. The thickness of the lard layer is 3.5 centimeters.

Large black breed

The physique of pigs is large and powerful. The weight of a boar can reach 400 kilograms. Distinctive features of appearance are black color and drooping ears.

Pigs of the large black variety are not demanding in terms of keeping; the animals tolerate heat well and are able to be kept in free-grazing conditions. Females are fertile, young animals gain weight rapidly. Disadvantage: tendency to overfeed and obesity, the muscle frame is poorly developed.

Mirgorod breed

The species, bred in Ukraine, is considered one of the best breeds of the sebaceous breed. Mirgorod breed pigs are omnivores and quickly adapt to the climate of the growing region. The meat is of average quality, the weight of a female is 230 kilograms, a boar is 280 kilograms. The fertility of females is high - up to 14 piglets, the average daily gain is 650 grams, the maternal instinct is highly developed.

Mangalitsa breed

An ancient Hungarian variety. In Russia it is grown in the North Caucasus and is popular in the Moscow region. The color of the animals can be different; a distinctive feature is thick, curly hair.

Individuals of Mangalitsa pigs lay down fat early; already at 8 months the thickness of the fat is 6.5 centimeters. Pigs are adapted to pasture. Pigs are omnivores, with high immunity, but the breed’s fertility is weak - 7 piglets in one litter.

Universal breeds

These species are distinguished by high quality meat and the presence of a subcutaneous layer of fat. In Russia, universal breeds are very popular.

Large white breed

The most popular variety of pigs in Russia. The average weight of one female is 250 kilograms, and that of a boar is 320 kilograms. The coat color is white, the body is elongated, proportional, with well-developed hams. Meat yield - 80%. The average daily growth of a piglet is 700 grams; one female produces up to 11 young in one litter.

Breitovskaya breed

A domestic species of purebred pigs, bred on the basis of the Danish and Latvian varieties. Breitov pigs demonstrate high productivity and fertility. The average daily gain is 750 grams. The muscular frame is developed, the limbs are powerful and strong. The meat is of high quality, the fat is dense.

Siberian northern breed

Received in 1942 in the Novosibirsk region. Color - white, with a reddish tint. Females give birth to up to 12 cubs in one birth. The average daily gain is 750 grams. Meat yield - 60%. The main advantage of the species is the ability to adapt to climatic imperfections in the northern regions. The main disadvantages include - underdeveloped muscle frame, average quality of meat.

The largest breed of pigs in Russia

The largest varieties of domestic pigs popular in our country include:

• Landrace;
• Latvian white pigs;
• Large white;
• White English.

These species are impressive in weight; adult large boars can reach a weight of 400-450 kilograms. Females - 280-300 kilograms.

Selection rules

When choosing a variety for growing in a private backyard, the following properties of the species are taken into account:

• Requirements for climate, feed and living conditions.
• Direction of use.
• Productivity.
• Precocity.
• Immunity.

If you are going to keep pigs in a common yard, choose peaceful, non-aggressive, but at the same time active breeds. Some varieties need to be provided with free range. Vaccinate and deworm animals.