Yorkshire pig breed: description and characteristics, breeding and care rules

Compared to other breeds, Yorkshire pigs are more common worldwide. These animals occupy the fourth line in terms of popularity. Such a 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

Yorkshire pig appeared in the middle of the 19th century, was bred by a British farmer. However, Russian breeders met this animal after 10 years. The name of this variety of pigs was given by the place of residence of the breeder.The Yorkshire breed is a cross between the White Leicester and the English Long Ear. Also in the 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 (for sows - 250 kilograms);
total length does not exceed 1.8 meters;
massive breasts;
flat stomach does not sag;
large but short hams;
flat back and compact, narrow-minded head;
skin is smooth with sparse white fur.

Yorkshires do not show aggression, including after the appearance of the young. These animals can be kept with other livestock. Sows are characterized by abundant lactation, thanks to which adults are able to feed 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.

Pros and cons

Among the advantages of Yorkshire pigs, breeders highlight the following:

increased content of premium meat (in particular, marble);
can be fattened for quality bacon (lard);
quickly reach large sizes (weight in 7 months reaches a centner);
ability to quickly adapt to new conditions;
no feeding requirements;
lack of pronounced aggressiveness;
increased fertility;
strong immunity to diseases in adults and piglets.

On average, newborn piglets weigh about 1 kilogram, regardless of the size of the offspring.A month after birth, animals gain up to 20 kilograms. One sow is able to bring up to 10-12 or more piglets. If the slaughter is done after 6 months, when the weight exceeds 100 kilograms, then the breeders receive a large volume of bacon products.

But the main feature of the Yorkshire breed is not this. Breeders, when properly fed, are able to produce reference marbled pork laced with thin (up to 14 millimeters) layers of fat.

Among the shortcomings of the breed include skin that is sensitive to frost and high temperature. This minus is leveled due to the proper organization of the wintering and walking area.

How to choose the right piglets to buy?

When buying Yorkshire piglets, you should pay attention to the main features that characterize he althy animals:

large and heavy head with straight profile;
thin-walled ears;
straight legs with shiny hooves;
back and chest wide;
the belly does not sag, and there are no depressions at the withers;
crocheted tail;
when the jaw closes, the upper teeth overlap the lower ones;
no discharge at the anus;
smooth coat with sheen, close fitting to pink skin;
pink and wet nickel;
breathing deep and even;
good appetite and increased activity.

For a home farm, it is recommended to purchase monthly piglets whose weight has not reached five kilograms. It is advisable to buy pigs born in winter or early spring. In the summer it is easier to feed the animals. Piglets with a long back are considered the best. Such animals quickly gain weight.

Conditions and care

It is recommended to keep animals of this breed in pigsties that meet the following characteristics:

minimum floor area - 5 square meters;
the walls of the pigsty are upholstered with thick and planed boards, additionally insulated;
the place for the animal's lair is separated from the rest of the pigsty by a plank;
pigsty height - at least two meters;
a drinking trough is installed at the front wall;
The piglet den is located near the sow's residence.

Despite the fact that Yorkshire pigs are unpretentious in care, a number of rules must be observed when keeping these animals:

Pigs are highly sensitive to high and low temperatures. It is recommended to keep both adults and piglets indoors with good thermal insulation.
Piglets tend to undermine fences, and adults are able to break the fence with their weight. This must be taken into account when organizing a place for walking. To prevent the animals from leaving the corral, it is necessary to strengthen the fence.
In summer, on sunny days, the walking area should be closed. Prolonged contact with ultraviolet radiation adversely affects the skin of animals.
Walking pigs in winter is allowed no more than one hour. At the same time, this procedure should not be abandoned either. Without sufficient walking, animal meat becomes tougher.

In addition, in order to prevent animal diseases, it is necessary to periodically show the veterinarian and vaccinate against common pathologies.

Feeding pigs

To obtain 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 cereals from crushed seeds, brought to a semi-liquid state, are introduced into the diet.
Up to 5.5 months give boiled vegetables, potatoes, fish bone meal, green and dried grass, waste from the kitchen. Piglets at this age should not gain more than 500 grams per day.
After reaching 5.5 months of age, piglets are fattened with protein concentrates and legumes. The total daily weight gain during this period is 600-700 grams.

Adults are recommended to give:

Concentrated food, consisting of oats, corn and barley. It is also allowed to give compound feed and bran. All seeds must be carefully crushed.
Juicy foods like potatoes, carrots and beets. The first is given in boiled form. Carrots are recommended to be fed to sows and piglets. And beets can be given along with the tops.
Greens. Pigs should be given nettle, quinoa, clover and peas in summer. Greens in the warm season is the basis of the diet.
Feed of animal origin, which includes fish and meat waste. It is recommended to give milk to young animals.
Supplementary food. It could be other food scraps and mushrooms.

When feeding, bran and acorns are recommended to be supplemented with greens and succulent feed. If this rule is not followed, then the pigs will become constipated.

Features of breeding

Sows reach sexual maturity at 12 months. A few days before the appearance of piglets, it is recommended to halve the amount of complementary foods. During this period, the sow begins to create a nest from hay, and colostrum appears from the udder. 2 days before the expected farrowing, the animal must be constantly monitored. Childbirth takes from 1.5 to 6 hours. After the appearance of each piglet should be attached 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.Umbilical cords should be discarded after birth.

Fight disease

Yorkshire pig breeders are generally faced with the development of rickets in young pigs, 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 observed, then the pigs develop atrophic rhinitis, which is indicated by snorting and frequent sneezing. The last disease should be treated by a veterinarian.

What breed can you confuse a Yorkshire 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-West and Central regions. Pigs of this variety are more often purchased by large farms, which is explained by the high cost of young animals.