Important breeds of pigs

Important breeds of pigs

1. Large White Yorkshire

The large White Yorkshire is a popular English Bacon breed, which had its origin Yorkshire and neighboring countries in northern England. Yorkshire sows are noted as good mothers.

·         Bacon type breed

·         The body colour is solid white with occasional black pigmented spots called ‘freckles’

·         Other distinguishing characteristic are erect ear, snout of medium length, large in size and slightly dished face

·         Skin is pink coloured and is free from wrinkles with long and moderately fine coat. Neck is long and full to the shoulder. Back is slightly arched

·         Matured body weight boar: 300-400kg and sow 230-320kg

Most extensively used exotic breed in India.. It is an excellent breed for the purpose of crossbreeding

2. Middle White Yorkshire

This breed was evolved by crossing the Large White Yorkshire with smaller breed of Yorkshire extraction. The breed is accepted as excellent pork pig, reaching slaughter weight early and with a high percentage of lean meat to bone. The breed is hardy, grows rapidly, but is not as prolific as the Large White Yorkshire. Extensively used to upgrade desi pigs as it is smaller in size. Adult body weight boar: 2503.

3. Landrace

The origin of this breed is Denmark, where it has been bred and fed to produce the highest quality bacon in the world.

• Large, long body. The breed is white in colour, although black skin spots ‘freckles’ -340kg and sow 180-270kg. rather common.
• White bristles in white body
• The breed is characterized by its long, deep side; square ham. The legs are relatively short .The carcass is more lean than that of the meat.

Matured body weight boar 270-360kg and sow 200-320kg.

4. Berkshire

• The breed originated in and takes its name from Berkshire, a county in south central England, which was the center of its development.
• The breed is now highly valued as producer of good quality pork. In India especially in the South the breed is popular for the upgrading programme.
• Medium size generally smooth and of good length and depth
• Animal black in colour with “six white points” that is white on feet, nose and tail but more than 10% white of an animal disqualifies it.
• It has a short head with dished face and its ears are erect.
• The back is long, level arched and narrow back.
• Legs are straight and set long

5. LANDRACE

• The origin of this breed is Denmark, where it has been bred and fed to produce the highest quality bacon in the world.
• Large, long body.
• The breed is white in colour, although black skin spots ‘freckles’ rather common.
• White bristles in white body
• The breed is characterized by its long, deep side; square ham
• The legs are relatively short
• Lop ears
• The carcass is more lean than that of the meat. There is less back fat and lard
• The head with a slightly concave nose line
• The breed is noted for prolificacy and for efficiency of feed utilization
• Matured body weight boar 270-360kg and sow 200-320kg

6. HAMPSHIRE

• Hampshire breed originated in Kentucky(USA).
• In the beginning it was called ‘thin rind’ but later the breed was changed to Hampshire.
• Medium framed animal with upright ears.
• The breed is black with a white belt which entirely encircles the body including both front leg and feet, the head and neck are black
• Long head with slightly dished snout
• They are known for excellent carcass quality with large longissimus dorsi muscles and leaner carcass as compared to Yorkshire and Duroc
• Matured body weight boar 320kg and sow 280kg

7. DUROC

• Duroc is the red breed of pig developed in North-Eastern states of USA (New York and New Jersey) using 2 distinct strains of hogs.
• Duroc is a breed of large pig with fast economic gain.
• Larger frame
• Mono coloured cherry red ranging form light red to rich reddish brown
• The ears are two third lop, slightly concave nose line, arched back
• The pigs are popular for their size, hardiness, and prolificacy. The sows are excellent mothers.
• The carcass is considered as good meat type.
• The weight of matured boar is around 400 kg and sow is normally 350 kg.

8. TAMWORTH

• The breed is originated from central England.
• The breed drives its name from the town of Tamworth.
• The animals are golden red in colour varies from light to dark.
• They are good bacon type.
• The individuals are long-legged with long, smooth sides and strong back.
• The head is strikingly long and narrow with a long snout and fairly larger ears that are carried somewhat erect.
• The sows are prolific and careful mothers, and the pigs are excellent foragers.
• The matured boar weighs 350 kg and sow between 250-300 kg.

9. CHESTER WHITE

• It is one of the newer breeds of swine.
• The breed was originated in Missouri in the USA.
• The most distinctive characteristic of the Hereford breed is their colour marking, which is similar to that of Hereford cattle.
• It is two-thirds red in colour, either light or dark with constant white face.
• The white colour must appear on at least two feet and extend up to an inch or more above the hoof.

POLAND CHINA

·         Poland China is another breed with black colour and some white patches.

·         The breed is similar to Berkshire and as such Berkshire must have been used in the development of this breed.

·         The native home of this breed is southwest Ohio in Miami valley.

·         Poland China or Poland is one of the largest American breeds and ranks high in gaining ability.

·         Poland is black with six white points viz., face, 4 feet and a brush in the tail.

·         The ears are two third drooping. They are quiet by temperament and rugged in constitution.

·         The carcass quality is very good.

·         The breed has good growth and good mothering ability.

·         Sometimes Poland are criticized for small litter size.

·         Matured body weight boar 270-380kg and sow 200-290kg

ECONOMIC TRAITS

• Litter Size
• Weight at Birth.
• Weaning Weight.
• Litter size at Weaning.
• Growth rate: 
• Birth to Weaning  : Weaning wt.- ­­–birth wt./ 56
• Weaning to 154 days: Weight at 154 days-Weaning weigh/ 98 days
• Weight at 154 days to 210 days : Wt.at 210 days- Wt. at 154 days / 154 days.
• Feed efficiency:  Feed consumed per of kg of Live weight.
• Mortality percentage.

Comparison between desi Vs. Exotic (India)

	Desi	Exotic
Litter size at birth	7.5	10
Birth weight (Kg.)	0.91	1.4
Weaning weight (kg.)	4.1	13.5
Weaning percentage	54	78.5
Dressing percentage	66	68
Maturity (Months)	14	8 - 10
Growth rate (gm)	70-100	over 300 gm.
Back fat thickness – (cm)	3-7	4-5

Gestation period is 114 days (3 months, weeks, days), estrus period 2-3 days, weaning at 56th day, market age 6 month.

Exotic and improved varieties

Classification of swine breeds based on utility
Lard type	Bacon type
Duroc	Tamworth
Poland china	Yorkshire
Chester white
Berkshire
Hampshire
Spotted Poland china
Exotic breeds experienced in India
Large White Yorkshire Middle white Yorkshire Saddle back Tamworth Berkshire
Classification based on colour
White breed	Yorkshire , Landrace, Chester White
Black with some white	Hampshire, Berkshire, Poland china
Black and white	Spot
Red breed	Duroc and Tamworth
Red with some white	Hereford