Black pig: description and characteristics of breeds, advantages and disadvantages
There are black breeds of pigs of greasy, meat-fat, meat direction. The choice of a particular variety depends on the climate, food supply, and the purpose of cultivation. Thanks to continuous breeding work, the important characteristics by which animals are judged are improving every year.
Common black pig breeds
The number of breeds grown by farmers, private traders, industrial enterprises is increasing. Black varieties of meat-fat, bacon, lard have long been in demand among pig breeders.
Black-and-white
This group combines pigs of several species with a peculiar black-and-white coloration. It includes the Belarusian, North Caucasian, Mirgorod breeds and Pietrain. The most popular meat-fat variety, which was bred in Belarus. Variegated piglets are bred by pig breeders in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and throughout Russia.
BoarBody measurements | Length - 1.8 m | |
Weight | Up to 350 kg | |
Daily weight gain | 750g||
57% | ||
33% | ||
31mm | ||
Characteristic features of animals of this breed:
- dark suit, the presence of whitish and reddish tan marks;
- powerful physique, strong back, slightly rounded sides, wide chest;
- no wrinkles on the skin.
Motley pigs, bred in Belarus, live in the pasture in the summer, they are unpretentious in the food supply. They have stable immunity, medium precocity. Young fatteners gain 100 kg in 180-190 days. Sows are endowed with good maternal instinct, bear and give birth to 9-12 viable cubs in farrowing. Pietrain breed
Weight | Boars 200-260kg, sows 170-220kg | Boars 310-320kg, sows 220kg | |
700-750g | % meat | 70% | |
55% | % lard | 30% | |
30% | Fat thickness | 5-10mm | 45mm |
Direction | Bacon | Greasy | |
Skin color | White-pink with dark spots | Light with dark and brown spots | |
Precocity | 210 su current | 180 days | |
Bristles | Hard, shortMuch | Soft, thick | |
Vietnamese
Puberty in pigs comes early. A sow is used for breeding already at 4 months, and boars from 5 months of age. For one farrow, pig breeders receive 12 cubs. During the year, the sow farrows twice, so every year the farmer has 24 Vietnamese piglets. Pigs of the Vietnamese breed were brought to Europe recently. The farmers liked them. Pros that attract European pig farmers:
- lack of aggression;
- fertility;
- quick adaptation to weather conditions;
- strong immunity;
- delicacy meat.
Vietnamese black breed boars and sows gain 80-130 kg of live weight in fattening.
Black and white
In Siberia, a meat black-and-white breed of pigs adapted to the harsh climate, a local food supply, was bred, called it Kemerovo. Crossed northern Siberian breed, Landrace and the best representatives of Large White, Large Black.
Characteristic | Boar | Sow |
Length - 1.8 m | Length - 1, 7 m | |
3.50 c | 2.25 ts | |
800g | ||
55-60 | ||
20-23 mm |
The black-and-white variety of pigs is grown by farmers in Sakhalin, Tyva, Omsk region. They are in demand among pig farmers in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Kemerovo Region.
Large black
Bred in England, the breed is grown by farmers in the southern regions of the Russian Federation. A large black pig is popular with pig breeders in Ukraine and Belarus. The first purebred pigs were brought to the territory of the former USSR back in 1949. To date, large black piglets are bred in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, in the Tula, Voronezh, Ryazan Regions.
Characteristic | Boar | Sow |
Length - 1.73 m | Length - 1, 6 m | |
3.50 c | 2.50 ts | |
700g | ||
50 | ||
40 | ||
2.5 cm |
During the breeding work, several promising varieties were crossed:
- Chinese;
- Neapolitan;
- English long-eared.
Boars and sows of the breed have large black bristles, thick, dark. The head is not large. The neck is massive, short. The chest is barrel-shaped, wide. Legs with large hams, straight.
Rare black breeds
There are rare varieties with a dark color that you will not find on Russian farms. They come from countries with a warm climate.
Guinea pig
In terms of size, an adult Guinea pig is very similar to a piglet. The live weight of adult boars is 100 kg, sows - 50-70 kg, newborn calves - 500 g. The productivity of African pigs is low.
They have very short legs, massive torso. The skin is covered with thick black bristles.
Nero di Parma or Nera Parmesan
Rare Italian meat breed. Adult pigs gain weight 190-240 kg. Exterior Features:
- barrel torso;
- neck massive, not pronounced;
- head is large;
- pleated skin;
- medium-sized hams.
Fecundity of sows is average - 10 cubs.
Black Iberian pig
A rare species from warm countries: Portugal, Spain. Traditionally, Iberian jamon is prepared from the marbled meat of this rare breed. Most of the year, boars fatten their weight on pasture. In summer, black Iberian pigs feed on acorns, grass, roots.
Exterior Features:
- head is not big;
- legs high;
- body rounded, back arched;
- skin without bristles, black or grey.
Variety is extremely rare, on the verge of extinction.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pigs with dark skins are kept on pasture in summer. They are viable, do not respond to sudden changes in the weather. The conditions of keeping and the composition of the feed of piglets affect the quality of the meat.Pigs build up body fat quickly when kept in a barn.
Malnutrition negates all good things | |
Productivity | |
No Aggression | |
Prospects for development and place in the domestic pig industry
In the conditions of Russia it is profitable to breed a universal meat-fat variety, black large. These pigs are adapted to difficult weather conditions. Animals have a calm disposition, stable immunity. Pork is of high quality, good taste.
Sows and boars of the large black breed are used as genetic material. When crossed with Large White pigs, they get promising black and white offspring, more prolific, highly productive, early maturing.
Recommended
Breed of bees Karnika: description and characteristics, types, advantages and disadvantages

Karnika honey bee breed: description and characteristics, varieties, productivity and honey flow, diseases, wintering, pros and cons, nuances of planting and replacing the uterus.
Duck blue favorite: breed description and characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

Ducks blue favorite are considered quite popular and in demand breed. For their cultivation to be successful, competent care and disease prevention are necessary.
Kent Cherry: description and characteristics of the variety, advantages and disadvantages, planting and care

Description and characteristics of the Kent cherry variety, what are its features. Pros and cons of a tree, characteristic properties of fruits. How to properly care for and grow this species.