The most common pig breeds

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Before you start breeding pigs, you need to determine the purpose of breeding. Today there are many breeds of various orientations. Some pigs are valued for meat, some for lard, and there are universal breeds. Consider what breeds of pigs are most popular today.

Existing pig breeds

Breitovskaya

Breitovskaya breed of pigs bred by domestic breeders. It belongs to the universal. The boar gains an average of 330 kg of weight, and the pig - 240 kg. Accordingly, the variety is oversized. It is worth noting that the young are gaining weight well. Already at the age of 7 months, the pigs weigh 100 kg, and the daily weight gain is 650-680 g.

Breit's pig meat is tender and juicy. It cannot be classified as either fatty or lean. Pig fat is valued no less than meat. It has a dense structure.

Breit's pig breed

Features of the breed

Many breeds of pigs are aggressive, but the Breit Pig is an exception, which makes it much easier to keep. It is quite resistant to temperature fluctuations, which allows keeping artiodactyls outdoors in the warm season. A canopy that will hide the pigs from the scorching sun or rain will still have to be constructed. In winter, animals are moved to barns.

Like all pigs, the Breitovskys do not react well to dampness, so you need to monitor the conditions of detention. Piglets are unpretentious in food. They easily switch from one feed to another.

The Breit breed is one of the most common today. This popularity is due to the ease of care and high productivity.

Lithuanian white

The Lithuanian white pig breed is another versatile breed. The average boar weight is 310 kg. The pig weighs 50-55 kg less. The body length of a boar and a pig is 1.8 and 1.6 cm, respectively. During farrowing, sows bring about 9 piglets. Accordingly, this variety is suitable for breeding. At home, you can even make a small and profitable business. Piglets do not grow very quickly, but they do not eat much. In general, if we talk about profitability, it is profitable to keep a Lithuanian white pig.

Lithuanian white pig breed

Features of the breed

If we evaluate the appearance of artiodactyls, then it has a number of disadvantages. First of all, it is a drooping sacrum. It can also be noted that the Lithuanian white pigs have drooping tanks and an interception behind the shoulder blades.However, these disadvantages do not affect either meat productivity or the taste of meat and lard. Many farmers are engaged in breeding this breed of pigs, noting that the Lithuanian White is unpretentious in care.

Ukrainian white steppe

From the name it is clear that the homeland of pigs is Ukraine. This is one of the best breeds. It was bred specifically for the steppe part of Ukraine. These regions are arid, and not all artiodactyls are able to adapt to the peculiarities of the climate. The Ukrainian white steppe pig was bred specifically for breeding in arid regions. And zootechnicians coped with the task.

Pig breed Ukrainian white steppe

As for the direction of this breed of pigs, it, like the first two, belongs to the universal. Today, it is meat-greasy breeds that are most popular. Boars gain 340 kg of weight, while pigs weigh 100 kg less. But these are average figures. If we talk about the maximum possible, then there were cases when boars gained more than 400 kg, and pigs - more than 350 kg. To achieve such productivity indicators, you need to create good conditions for cloven-hoofed animals and correctly formulate a diet.

Features of the breed

Ukrainian white steppe pigs are very hardy. It is also worth noting that they are perfectly acclimatized to various conditions.

Another task that the zootechnicians faced was the breeding of a pig that would have high reproductive performance. Scientists have coped with this task. The Ukrainian white steppe pig boasts fertility. She gives birth to an average of 12 piglets. As for the rate of weight gain, a six-month-old pig is gaining about 100 kg.

The Ukrainian steppe white breed of pigs is used to breed new varieties and improve existing ones. The Ukrainian steppe pockmarked pig, which is popular among many farmers today, was bred on the basis of the Ukrainian white steppe.

Estonian bacon

The Estonian bacon pig breed is prized for its meat production. It is easy to guess from the name that it is the result of the work of Estonian breeders. Basically, when crossing, Landrace was used, whose homeland is Denmark. In addition to Landrace, Finnish and German boars were used during the breeding of the breed. If you look at the appearance of Estonian pigs and their relatives from Denmark, you can identify external similarities.

Estonian bacon pig

The meat productivity of the Estonian bacon breed is 325 and 230 kg for a boar and a pig, respectively. The animal is large. However, all pigs whose meat production exceeds 250 kg are large. This slightly complicates their content.

At the age of 6 months, the piglet gains 100 kg. Accordingly, animals gain weight well. But such indicators can be achieved only with good nutrition.

Features of the breed

These pigs are unpretentious to care for. The Estonian individual feels comfortable even with grazing. Naturally, she will not gain the maximum weight on green forages alone, but she is able to get most of the diet on her own.

Almost all young animals are born strong and healthy, which allows the use of sows during breeding work. It is also worth noting that this breed is widely used by zootechnicians to improve others. Accordingly, for the sake of improving productivity indicators in a small farm, it can be crossed with less productive breeds. Another feature of the variety is resistance to many diseases.

The meat of Estonian pigs is valued for its taste. If you agree on deliveries with some restaurant, you will be able to make money.

North Caucasian

The North Caucasian breed of pigs is the result of the work of domestic breeders.The Kuban breed, which has many advantages, was taken as a basis. Also in the North Caucasian pigs, the blood of representatives of the Berkshire and Large White breeds flows. A distinctive feature of the North Caucasian pig is the black-and-white color. A completely black pig is less common.

The orientation of the breed is universal. Adult pigs weigh 240 kg, and boars of this breed reach a weight of 340 kg. After slaughter, the meat yield is 53-55%. The fat thickness reaches 30 cm.

North Caucasian breed of pigs

Features of the breed

These pigs adapt well to unfavorable conditions. They have an undercoat that keeps them warm at low temperatures. In areas with moderately cold winters, North Caucasian artiodactyls can be kept in half-open pigsties.

Representatives of the breed are suitable for grazing. They are extremely unpretentious to feed and boast strong immunity. Sows have a well-developed maternal instinct, which allows them to breed artiodactyls at home.

The only drawback that North Caucasian pigs have is a thin skeleton.

Urzhumskaya

The Urzhum breed of pigs is the result of long-term work of breeders. More than one year has been spent by zootechnicians to get a meat pig with high productivity rates.

Urzhum pigs have a thick skeleton, which makes them somewhat rough in appearance. But, it is worth noting that the representatives of this breed have well-developed muscles and strong legs, and few pigs can boast of these characteristics.

Urzhum breed of pigs

The meat productivity of males and females is 300 and 250 kg, respectively. The Urzhum pig also boasts fertility. In one farrowing, about 12 viable piglets are born.

If we talk about the maximum indicators, then the weight of a boar can reach 400 kg (a case was recorded when a boar of this breed weighed 405 kg). The largest pig weighed 310 kg. During farrowing, this sow produced 14 viable piglets each.

Features of the breed

Today, the Urzhum pig is less common than many other breeds, but its popularity is growing every day. It is distinguished by its endurance and the ability to adapt to a wide variety of climatic conditions.

Piglets gain weight quickly after birth, which makes breeding and rearing early maturing animals a cost-effective undertaking. It is worth noting the excellent taste of meat.

Tamworth

The country of origin of the Tamworth pigs is England. This is a fairly old breed of bacon direction. The animals are well built, have a relief constitution. They have well-developed muscles and fairly strong legs, a smooth transition from head to neck. The entire body is covered with a silky guard hair, which helps to withstand not only temperature fluctuations, but also wind. The hair is mostly white, but the whole body is covered with small black spots.

Tamworth pig breed

Representatives of this breed of pigs in Russia can be found quite rarely. The most popular are the Tamworths in England and America.

Features of the breed

Representatives of this breed of pigs are suitable for breeding and rearing in the northern regions.

Tamworths are very friendly creatures. They can be kept in the same room with the rest of their animals, including cattle.

Simplifies the maintenance of omnivorous animals - they can be fed with compound feed intended for cattle. Indicators of meat productivity under various dietary patterns vary slightly.

As for the shortcomings of the Temworths, a small number of offspring are born during farrowing. At the same time, the sows take very good care of the piglets.

Kemerovo

The Kemerovo pig breed can be called unique.The black color cannot be called rare, however, few pigs are painted in this color. Sometimes there are small white spots on the back and neck. The pig itself is large in size.

A specific feature is that there are 2 types of Kemerovo pigs:

universal;
meat.

What direction the piglets will have depends on the nutrition.

Kemerovo breed of pigs

The exterior of the Kemerovo pig of meat and meat-lard direction is slightly different. Productivity indicators also differ. The boar of the universal direction is gaining 350 kg. The pigs weigh 100-150 kg less. It is worth noting the high reproductive rates. For one farrowing, more than 10 piglets of the Kemerovo breed are born.

As for the performance indicators of Kemerovo meat pigs, boars gain up to 400 kg of weight. Pigs weigh 120-140 kg less. Kemerovo piglets of meat direction gain weight faster, while they consume slightly less feed than congeners of the universal direction. Accordingly, it is more profitable to keep this type.

The thickness of bacon in Kemerovo pigs of the universal type is greater. But when breeding an improved breed, the breeders wanted to achieve this. The net meat yield after slaughter is higher for meat pigs.

Features of the breed

This breed in pig breeding is valued for its resistance to frost. The body of animals is covered with rather thick wool, but the shaggy pig does not belong to the omnivorous type of animals. Kemerovo pigs are capricious in food and with poor nutrition they gain weight very slowly, which complicates their maintenance. You can find representatives of this breed of pigs in Ukraine and in Russia, on the territory of Belarus.

Belarusian black-and-white

The classification of pig breeds states that the Belarusian black-and-white pig belongs to the universal type. It has a strong bone structure and is suitable for grazing. The advantages of the animal are early maturity and high meat productivity. Sows give numerous offspring.

The black-and-white suit attracts attention. Exterior features do not allow this breed of pigs in the photo to be confused with representatives of other breeds painted in a similar way. The Belarusian black-and-white pig has a wide back. And if in almost all other breeds the back line is even, then in Belarusian piglets the back is slightly bent. Also a distinctive feature of these animals are x-shaped legs.

Belarusian black-and-white

The meat productivity of the Belarusian pig breed is 330 kg for boars and 240 kg for gilts. At the same time, the meat yield after slaughter is about 60%, which is a good indicator. The Belarusian black pig is fertile. During farrowing, an average of 12 piglets are born.

Features of the breed

The Belarusian black-and-white is a precocious breed of pigs. Average daily weight gain is about 750 g. There is no need to purchase highly nutritious feed. If you give the animal the opportunity to walk in plenty of areas sown with herbs, it will be possible to achieve weight gain without much material costs.

Despite all the advantages, the breed on the territory of our country can be found less and less often. Breeders explain the decline in popularity by exterior features, which include x-shaped legs. Farmers in all breeds of pigs in the world are culling individuals with this trait.

Murom

Pigs of the Murom breed were bred in 1957. We owe their appearance to the zootechnicians of the Vladimir region. Bacon breeds of pigs were taken as a basis, but the breeders sought to obtain an animal of a universal orientation, therefore, in addition to bacon breeds of pigs, Lithuanian whites were taken, having a meat-greasy orientation. The result is a hybrid of a universal direction.

The animals have a proportional constitution, a wide body, a straight back, well-defined hams and large ears, set low on a neat head. The meat production is 280 kg for boars, and 220 kg for pigs. Indicators are not the highest even for animals of universal orientation. The meat yield after slaughter exceeds 60%. As for reproduction, 11 piglets are born during farrowing and gain weight rapidly. The thickness of the bacon is 27-30 cm.

Murom breed

Features of the breed

This modern breed of pigs is to the liking of many farmers, which is due not only to the simplicity of keeping and omnivorous animals. Thoroughbred Murom artiodactyls have a balanced character. They have good immunity to resist many diseases.

Of the shortcomings, only the x-shaped setting of the legs can be distinguished, but not all individuals have a similar exterior feature. Breed improvement involves the culling of such individuals during breeding work.

Siberian northern

The result of the work of the livestock specialists of the Siberian Research Institute was the Siberian northern breed of pigs. During the breeding work, local and English white pigs were used. The Siberian northern pig breed was officially recognized in 1942.

The pig is painted white. Sometimes a reddish tint is present.

The northern Siberian does not belong to large breeds of pigs. With an average build, the meat productivity is 240 and 350 kg for gilts and boars. The meat yield after slaughter exceeds 50%, and the fat thickness is 30 cm. Accordingly, the breed can be classified as a universal type.

Breed Siberian northern

Features of the breed

This type has several disadvantages. Zootechnicians still have to work on improving the constitution and indicators such as early maturity. Also, it will not be superfluous to work on increasing meat productivity. But the Northern Siberian is not in vain on the list of popular breeds. It is suitable for keeping in the harsh conditions of Siberia.

Berkshire

The Berkshire variety is another English pig that is often found in Russia today. On the basis of the Berkshire breed of pigs, many others were bred (Kemerovo, for example). These pigs are painted in black and white. In purebred Berkshires, the tip of the tail is white. Depending on the purpose of growing, food can be organized in several ways. When fattening for meat, the weight of an adult individual reaches 325 and 230 kg for a boar and a pig. When fattening for meat and lard, meat productivity decreases slightly, but the layer of subcutaneous fat thickens.

Berkshire pig breed

Features of the breed

It is possible to achieve high levels of meat productivity without the use of special compound feed. In the warm season, this large breed of pigs can be kept not indoors, but on a fenced plot of land. With the onset of cold weather, the bacon breed of pigs is transferred to the pigsty.

They pass on all the virtues of pigs by inheritance. Accordingly, they can be used to improve other breeds.

Duroc

Duroc are natives of the United States. They have a red color, which qualitatively distinguishes them from other artiodactyls. In truth, the pigs of the red breed are not quite red in color. They are rather red, but the color is conventionally called red. We have been working on breeding red pigs for a long time.

Duroc is a large pig breed suitable for grazing. A distinctive feature of red pigs, in addition to their unusual color, are high legs. Ginger pigs grow up to sizes of 350 and 280 kg for boars and pigs. Duroc belongs to the bacon breeds of pigs.

Duroc pig breed

Features of the breed

Among all breeds of bacon pigs, Duroc stands out for the highest percentage of net meat yield after slaughter (80%). In addition, meat is valued for its taste. There are thin layers of fat in its structure.

With all the advantages of red pigs, it is worth making a reservation about their weak immunity. Duroc pigs have a predisposition to a number of diseases, including rhinitis. Also, these piglets need high-quality protein nutrition, in the absence of which they gain weight poorly. Accordingly, keeping these pigs is quite costly.

Maxter

Makster is a pork pig, which is especially popular in European countries. In Russia, Maksters are rare. Perhaps this is due to the relatively low indicators of meat productivity: boars gain 240 kg of live weight, and pigs - only 200. At the same time, meat is valued for its taste.

Breed Maxter

Features of the breed

Maxters react poorly to temperature changes. They do not tolerate both low and high temperatures. Accordingly, it is not possible to grow them in some regions. It is also worth noting that they are whimsical in their food.

The advantage of maksters is that when growing, you can save on feed consumption, since the pigs eat relatively little.

Cantor

The cantor is a boar, which makes him stand out from other pig species. Its rearing is complicated by the fact that it is a terminal boar. But if all the necessary conditions are created, the wild boar will grow up safely and gain about 260 kg of live weight. The yield after slaughter is about 80%, which is a high indicator. If we talk about lean meat, the figure drops to 55%.

Pig breed Cantor

Features of the breed

The Cantors have erect ears. They are not prone to obesity, which can be attributed to the merits. The meat obtained after slaughter has an excellent taste.

Meishan

Meishan is an exotic variety that is extremely rare in Russia. This pig is prized exclusively for its excellent lard. China is her homeland. A distinctive feature of the pig is its unusual dark color.

Meishan's vulnerability is immunity. Animals are prone to many diseases, so they need to be carefully looked after.

Meishan pig breed

Features of the breed

During farrowing, females give birth to about 15 piglets.

Meishan is far from a fast-growing pig, but she gains fat at a fast pace. Roughage can be used during feeding.

Other highly productive species of breeds

We ignored such highly productive breeds as Chistogorskaya, Tuklinskaya, Downy Mangalitsa (hairy pig), Vietnamese potbelly, Ukrainian steppe speckled, Caucasian, Moscow, Primorskaya, Livenskaya, Hampshire, Wales, Latvian, Livenskaya (with earrings), Siberian, Dutch , Hyper, Jesse, Body, Maxgro, Optimus, Piggy, Danbred, Makster (but not a master, as she is sometimes mistakenly prescribed in Internet sources). Red-belted artiodactyls have an unusual appearance.

You could also pay attention to the Mongolian, Leningrad, Korean, Hungarian pigs, boar Alba, Tempo, Maximus. Each type of pig has specific characteristics. The Vietnamese pot-bellied, for example, is a herbivorous pig, and the Hampshire breed is one of the oldest. There are also dwarf animals that are suitable for growing in small pigsties.

Decorative and rare breeds

There are also decorative breeds. Here you can see curly and woolen pigs, striped and spotted. There are decorative piglets of different colors (black, white, ash, etc.). It is better to look at curly pigs in the video. The maintenance of decorative rocks is time-consuming. In addition, they need certain conditions (a paddock, for example).

We have not described rare breeds, because they are irrelevant for our region. For example, a black short-eared, rare-bristled pig, originally from America, is not found either in Belarus, or in Russia, or in Ukraine. In addition, these animals cannot boast of high performance indicators; their only plus is that boars weighing 100 kg have unusually tasty meat. Once a domesticated black pig, today it is practically mixed with the population of wild pigs. The black short-eared, rare-bristled sow is fertile.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say that all the species and breeds of pigs that have been bred by zootechnicians in recent years are unpretentious in their content, are distinguished by their fertility. Scientists are trying to simplify the task for farmers as much as possible, and they succeed. Today, even herbivorous breeds are represented, which, due to the peculiarities of their nutrition, produce marbled meat.

When breeding cloven-hoofed animals, it is important to take into account that pig breeding is developed in almost every area and there is no point in looking for a super pig, who would be good in every sense, far from home. There are no such ones yet. The single best variety is a myth, each farmer must choose for himself, based on the factors of his farm. It is advisable to opt for pigs that are cultivated in your area, since they have long been acclimatized. For example, in the northwestern part of the country, the Large White Pig takes root well.

We have considered far from all the best meat breeds of pigs. The same applies to animals of the universal direction. It will take a very long time to start describing all the existing varieties. We talked only about those animals that are most popular in Russia. In addition, new breeds of large pigs are emerging every day with higher productivity rates.