Breeds of pigs: description of species and selection criteria for home breeding

Pig farming is a thriving productive livestock industry. Thanks to the efforts of breeders in the classifier, there are more than 100 types of pig breeds with different characteristics and composition of the resulting meat. Piglets are raised for meat, lard and skins. Separately, the branch of breeding ornamental pigs stands out. Consider 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 an animal in length is 1.5 meters. There are dwarf and giant species, standard species that differ in skin color, constitution parameters.

Features of the appearance of pigs:

The muzzle is large, elongated, the nose is a shortened trunk with a snout.
Skin - rough, covered with wool - bristles.
The number of teeth is 44 pieces, including 4 fangs.
Legs - short, slender, four-toed.
The lateral toe is well developed, allowing the animal to dig in the ground in search of food.
Big ears.
Small, springy tail.

Note! Many 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?

Types of domestic pigs are classified according to the type of meat. Which one is profitable for cultivation is determined by the farmer, according to the characteristics of the species. The following types and classification are distinguished:

universal;
meat-bacon;
meat-greasy;
greasy.

Decorative species are very popular among the population, animals are grown not for slaughter, but as a pet. 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 breeds of meat varieties for home breeding, the weight of such animals is average, the fat layer is small, they contain such individuals in pens and aviaries, 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, recommended for cultivation in all regions of our country.

Features and Specifications:

Meat yield from carcass - 65%.
The thickness of the greasy layer is no more than 1.8 centimeters;
Average daily gain - 800 grams.
Bristle color - brown-red.
Torso length - 1.8 meters.
Productive type - meat.
Legs - powerful, massive.
Weight of a female - up to 300 kilograms, a boar - 350 kilograms.

The disadvantages of Duroc include low fertility, for one birth the female brings no more than 10 piglets.

Pietrain

The favorite kind of Europeans. Pietrain meat is used to produce high-quality bacon with thin streaks of fat. Obtained by crossing two English thoroughbred breeds: Yorkshire and Large White. In Russia, Pietrain is not the most popular variety.Males are often purchased as sires to create hybrids with improved meat quality.

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

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

Landrace

Popular meat pigs for domestic pig breeding. Differs in a white color and a soft light bristle. The average weight of an individual is 270 kilograms, 68% of meat can be obtained from one head.

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

The variety was bred in Denmark, gained popularity in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. Pigs are not aggressive and very mobile, despite their solid 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 pig 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 a mass of 310 kg. Meat yield - 66%, fat - 25%.

If the conditions of detention and proper nutrition are observed, the average daily weight gain is 1000 g. The quality of the meat is excellent, the main drawback of the variety of pigs is infertility.

Temworth

Pigs of this breed are suitable for fattening and growing in regions with a cold climate. At the same time, Tamworth can be grown together with cattle, suitable for grazing.

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

The color of pigs is red-brown. The breed is characterized by multiple pregnancies, one sow is able to give birth to 11 piglets.

Estonian bacon

Popular in the B altic States, Germany and Moldova, adapted to the climate of most Russian regions. Estonian bacon does not have high requirements for maintenance and care. Young animals rarely get sick, have high immunity, for one pregnancy the female brings up to 12 piglets.

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

Vietnamese Bellyfly

The Asian breed of pigs has not yet been registered in the state register of Russia, 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 marble spots. Vietnamese bellies digest plant foods well, the layer of subcutaneous fat in pigs of this breed is practically not formed, the meat yield from one head is 70%.

Sows demonstrate high fertility - up to 20 piglets in one offspring. The Vietnamese Lobster has a docile nature, the breed can be grown in a common yard with cattle, birds and other domestic animals.

Meat early (SM-1)

Domestic variety of pigs for meat purposes. It was bred by polyhybrid selection.Differs in high precocity and intensity of growth, an average daily gain - 750 grams. Females bring 10 piglets in one offspring. Early meat is adapted for cultivation throughout the country. Meat yield per head is 62%.

Sebaceous varieties

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

Berkshire hogs

English thoroughbred variety of proportional build, not demanding on growing conditions and feed. Color - black, white spots on the muzzle, chest and legs are allowed. The average weight of a sow is 220 kilograms, a boar is 260 kilograms. Lethal output from one head - 85%.The thickness of the fat layer is 3.5 centimeters.

Large Black Breed

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

Pigs of the large black variety are not demanding to keep, animals tolerate heat well and are able to be kept in free-range conditions. Females are fertile, young growth is gaining weight intensively. The disadvantage is the tendency to overfeed and obesity, the muscular frame is poorly developed.

Mirgorod breed

The species, bred in Ukraine, is considered one of the best breeds of greasy direction. Pigs of the Mirgorod breed are omnivorous, quickly adapting to the climate of the growing region. The meat is of average quality, the weight of the female is 230 kilograms, the 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.

Mangalitsky breed

Ancient Hungarian variety. In Russia, it is grown on the territory of the North Caucasus, it is popular in the Moscow region. The color of animals can be different, a distinctive feature is a thick, curly coat.

Individuals of Mangalitsky pigs lay fat early, already at 8 months the fat thickness is 6.5 centimeters. Pigs are adapted to pastures. Pigs are omnivorous, with high immunity, but the breed's fertility is weak - 7 piglets in one offspring.

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

The most popular variety of pigs in Russia. The average weight of one female is 250 kilograms, 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 gain of a piglet is 700 grams, one female brings up to 11 cubs in one offspring.

Breit breed

Domestic species of thoroughbred pigs, bred on the basis of the Danish and Latvian varieties. Breit pigs demonstrate high productivity and fertility. The average daily gain is 750 grams. The muscular frame is developed, the limbs are powerful, strong. The meat is of high quality, the bacon is dense.

Siberian northern breed

Received in 1942 in the Novosibirsk region. Color - white, with a reddish tinge. Females bring 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 the climatic imperfections of the northern regions. The main disadvantages include an underdeveloped muscular frame, the average quality of meat.

The largest pig breed in Russia

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

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

These species are striking 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 conditions.
Usage direction.
Productivity.
Precocity.
Immunity.

If you are going to keep pigs in a common yard, choose peaceful, non-aggressive, but at the same time mobile breeds. Some varieties need to provide walking. Vaccinate animals and deworm.