Mirgorodskaya breed of pigs
Pigs have long been valued by humans for their high productivity. These animals bring a large amount of meat, healthy fat, and are also highly fertile. There are many breeds that differ in the intended end product. Among the meat-greasy species of artiodactyls, not the last place is occupied by the Mirgorod breed of pigs. This species appeared relatively recently, but nowadays it is actively used both in industrial agriculture and on private farms. Mirgorod pigs are distinguished by minimal care requirements, unpretentious feed and good weight gain.
Mirgorodskaya breed of pigs
Origin and characteristics
The Mirgorod breed of pigs was bred in 1940 in the Poltava region. The breed was based on the representatives of the Ukrainian brown pigs, which were crossed with the Berkshire and Temvor breeds. The main goal of the breeders was to increase productivity, as the pigs provided a small amount of the final product.
Today Mirgorod pigs are bred all over the world, but the largest percentage of animals is in Ukraine. In this country, they can be found in the southern regions and the Poltava region.
The characteristics of these animals only increase their worldwide popularity.
The Mirgorodskaya breed of pigs is primarily distinguished by its unpretentious maintenance and rapid weight gain.
These artiodactyls are characterized by a high level of health, a strong nervous system and resistance to many diseases. Pigs adapt well to other climatic conditions and tolerate transportation calmly.
The advantages of the breed include the following qualities:
- Balanced body constitution.
- Fast weight gain.
- Adaptability to pasture grazing.
However, the breed also has significant disadvantages:
- Low palatability of meat.
- Low percentage of meat.
- Intolerance to cold and direct sunlight.
External signs of the breed
Pigs of the Mirgorod breed have a number of distinctive features. The color of animals varies from black to variegated. Blotches of red color are allowed. This species of artiodactyls is characterized by the following signs:
- The body length in males reaches 180 cm, in females - 170 cm.
- For wild boars, a weight of 330 kg is characteristic, for sows - 220 kg.
- Massive body constitution with a deep chest.
- Wide shoulder turn with a lot of muscle mass.
- Large limbs that end in small hooves.
- The abdominal cavity contains a large percentage of sebaceous deposits and sags heavily.
- The animal's muzzle is large, with well-developed ganaches and small ears.
- There are no skin folds on the body, the hair is hard and thick.
A feature of the exterior is the wide stance of the legs and the strength of the hooves. Thanks to this body constitution, the pig can move, despite its size. She also considers a straight back and a slightly concave profile to be characteristic features.
Productive features of the breed
To assess the productivity of artiodactyls, the following criteria are used:
- Taste and final quantity of meat.
- The quality of the greasy layer.
- Fertility of sows.
The meat characteristics of the Mirgorod breed are at a low level. The taste of the meat does not meet the standards. However, with proper fattening and an active lifestyle, 85% of the meat component of the total carcass of the animal can be obtained at the output. The owners of industrial production compensate for the low quality of the product with large quantities, bringing the weight of the pigs to the maximum bar. In some cases, the sow is fertilized by a male with a higher meat class, due to which piglets are born with average indicators. However, such breeding is not considered rational, since in this case the high qualities of the sebaceous layers are lost.
Lard of the Mirgorod breed is considered the standard among all types of pigs. The final product is tender, clean taste and does not have a heavy odor. A good layer of sebaceous deposits can be observed in monthly piglets, and from an adult you can get several kilograms of high-quality products.
Mirgorod pigs are considered very prolific in comparison to other breeds.
In one litter, there are 10-11 cubs. Among piglets, 95% of the offspring survive up to one month of age. This high viability is due to the presence of an increased level of globulin in the milk of females. This compensates for the average milk production of the sow: 52 kg per brood.
Cubs quickly gain weight: in one day, a kilogram piglet can grow by 700 g. By the sixth month of life, the offspring weighs 100 kg.
The nature of the breed
Mirgorod pigs have a calm disposition. They make good contact with a person and rarely show aggression. This species is not characterized by fast movement, animals will not run with might and main at the sight of a filled feeder. An exception is the lactating female, which aggressively protects the offspring. The Mirgorod breed of pigs prefers a herd way of life - the animal alone can become homesick.
Pigs are characterized by a pasture type of housing, they need a place for grazing. Mirgorod sows take good care of their own offspring, cases of abandonment of cubs are very rare.
Conditions of detention
The Mirgorod breed is considered unpretentious in comparison with other varieties of pigs. However, there are still certain requirements for the content:
- The barn where the animals are kept must be airtight and warm. Mirgorod pigs cannot stand the cold, and hypothermia can affect their development.
- The room should have a stable level of temperature and humidity.
- The ventilation system should be located so that there are no drafts in the pens.
- The barn is cleaned three times a week, once a month the pens are treated with a sodium solution and whitewashed with lime.
- There should be no loud noises or strong odors in the room.
Mirgorod pigs require daily grazing during the warm season. For this breed, it is necessary to provide pasture, since without fresh food and an active lifestyle, animals can develop rickets.
There must be a shadow on the walk. White pigs do not tolerate direct sunlight and can burn the skin.
The diet
Pigs are considered profitable due to their simplicity in feed. The basis of the daily diet is boiled potatoes, which are mixed with other foods. Among them are the following:
- Fresh grass, hay and tops.
- Crushed cereals.
- Carrots and beets.
- Dairy and fermented milk products.
- Fruit.
To improve bone tissue, animals add fish and meat flour to food. Pigs are fed 2 times a day, in winter, if necessary, you can transfer artiodactyls to 3 meals a day.
Piglets of the Mirgorod breed are fed more often: about 5 times a day. Pigs should always have access to plenty of water.