The pig | Facts & Information

The Great White (Sus scrofa domesticus) is by far the most common breed in the world. In 1981, there were 3,990 great white pigs registered in England, placing them at the top of the pig breed list in their country of origin.

They have been valued for bacon production since the breed's inception. As the name suggests, it is characterized by size. The breed is native to Yorkshire County, England, but it is difficult to establish their exact evolution.

The number of domestic pigs is about 961 million heads of which 190 million in Europe and 489 million in China.

Pig Feed

Fattening pigs is more profitable at young age; fattening in middle age begins at 6 months and in adult age after 12 months or after the animal has been removed from breeding.

The feed that enters the pig's food daily must be easily digestible, in other words they can be easily converted by the pig's stomach into substances that can be assimilated in the body and then be converted into meat.

The best digestibility coefficient of food is between 80-90% of the total quantity and this is achieved when the food administered is based on barley and corn.

Appearance Pig

The pig has an elongated snout, thick skin is called a mouse and is covered by rough and rare bristles.

To facilitate their classification, pig breeds were divided into 4 large groups:

1. mixed races where we find the Great White, Landrace, Duroc.

2. meat breeds including Pietrain, Belgian Landrace, Hampshire.

3. breeding breeds the group to which Meishan, Jianxing (Chinese breeds) belong.

4. local breeds that are found predominantly in unfavorable areas, where livestock conditions are poor.

Pigs of mixed breeds are good for both breeding and fattening and carcass, meat pigs are raised almost exclusively for carcass and Chinese pigs of breeding breeds offer the highest yields: between 14 and 17 piglets per single calving.

Almost every small farmer knows that a pigsty must be free of rodents. Let's not forget that small mammals are responsible for the transmission of many diseases, many of them deadly. So, the most dangerous diseases that can affect pigs are: ascaridiosis, trichinosis, scabies or lice.

Depending on the productive capacity pigs are classified into:

Primitive breeds, close to the first pigs resulting from domestication (Stocli, Baltaretu)

Improved breeds, possessing medium productive qualities (Bazna)

Improved breeds grouping breeds with superior productive qualities (Landrace, Great White)

Other breeds of pigs: Great White breed, Landrace breed, Duroc breed, Pietrain breed, synthetic line 345-Peris.

Features Pig

The Great White is regarded as a one-piece and hardy breed, able to withstand variations in climate and other surrounding factors. Their ability to crossbreed and improve other breeds has made them an important factor in commercial swine production.

For decades they have been known as favorite animals in markets that seek high quality pork and bacon. Their tendency to grow and not deposit excess fat has made them preferred both in those markets where they are raised for smaller waists and in markets where they are raised to achieve larger waists.

The great white pig is known for its high maternal instincts as well as its high milk production. They are not only supple and active, but they are also quite stable on their feet. She wears her considerable length with grace and ease.

Their height, or the length of their legs, helps them stay active and have a long life. Although the Great White was originally created as an active and outdoor breed, it does very well in conditions of crowding and limited space.

Pig Breeding

Sexual maturity is reached before the age of one year. The sow can give birth to as many as 15 piglets at the first birth. The gestation period and frequency of the "heat" state is approximately: 15 and 21 days, respectively. At the second period of "heat" mating is recommended.

After 12-16 hours, that is, the next morning, after the moment when the so-called ” reflex to accept” (that is, to accept the male to climb on it) has developed, we can say that the time has come for mating.

New breeders need to know that : the domestic Sow is not violent and does not bite in defense of piglets, but only makes noise, but I recommend attention because there are exceptions.

A healthy sow, given to mount at optimal age and body weight, properly maintained and Fed, can produce piglets until the age of 6 – 7 years, during which time the girl about 8 – 10 times.

Usually sows are used more often for 4-8 farts.

Exogenous factors refer to: quantity, quality and mode of Food Administration, conditions of care, technology of growing and fattening, mode of Transportation.

Endogenous factors are the breed, the level of improvement of the animals, the sex, the prolificity, the ability to suckle, the number and weight of weaned piglets, the precocity and capitalization of the feed, the health and resistance of the organism, the slaughter yield and the quality of the carcass. Sex also influences meat production.

Castrated and non-castrated males give an 8-10% greater amount of meat than females, but females give a higher meat in terms of quality, and with less fat.