Description and characteristics of large white pig breed, keeping and breeding
When talking about pigs, people imagine a typical domestic pig with a well-fed barrel-shaped body and a pink patch. A similar characteristic can be given to several breeds, but the white large breed of pigs is considered a classic. Such pigs are found in every livestock complex, farm and home farm. They adapt to all living conditions, are distinguished by high productivity, which has earned them worldwide popularity.
History of appearance
England is considered the birthplace of large white pigs. Initially, long-eared pigs were bred there, over time they began to improve by more careful selection, and better living conditions were created for them. As a result, the breeders bred the Leyster pig.
Further, the breeding of a large white pig took place in stages:
- In the 19th century, an accelerated modernization of rocks began to take place. The local marching and Leister breed of pigs began to be crossed with the Roman (Neapolitan, Portuguese) and Asian (Siamese) varieties. Selection work was carried out in almost every livestock farm.
- In the 1830s, a stable breed of pigs with high productivity but small dimensions was developed by a British cattle breeder. The breed was called "small white". Animals were not popular, as they were demanding on the conditions of detention.
- In 1851, the offspring of the long-eared Leyster and small white pigs were exhibited at an agricultural exhibition. The piglets had high productivity and fertility, good meat characteristics. The breed was named Yorkshire pig, it was immediately appreciated by English breeders.
- To prevent the breed from degenerating, in 1885, breeders began to develop a single standard and establish a herd book. Since then, the official name of the breed is the large white pig.
The export of large white pigs to the territory of the Russian Federation and European countries took place in the 1890s. War and economic devastation negatively affected the breeding of the breed in Russia, English breeding pigs degenerated by 80%. When the political situation stabilized, the country decided to create a state-owned pig-breeding industry. For this reason, in the 1920s, Great Britain imported ~ 700 animals to Russia, which were used for breeding Soviet pigs.
Russian and English pigs had differences: the former had a massive constitution, high fertility, and more easily adapted to the severe Russian frosts.Earlier, when breeding pigs, attention was focused on the quality of fat, which led to a decrease in the proportion of meat breeds. In the 1990s, consumer demand shifted with a greater focus on the meat quality of animals.
Description, features and productivity of the large white breed
Large white pigs have a strong constitution and great weight. The boar weighs 330-355 kg, and the pig weighs 225-255 kg. Animals have strong bones, harmonious, regular constitution. The body is massive, long - in males 192 cm, in females 169 cm. The head is medium in size, the forehead is wide, the snout is of medium length. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by a deep chest, wide back, massive loin.
The neck is broad, long, the hams are of medium expression. The ribs are round, the paws are strong, with powerful hooves. The eyes are small and dark in color. The pigs have a light pink skin tone, its structure is dense and elastic. The pig's body is covered with thin, thick bristles. There are no spots or marks on the body. Individuals of the large white breed are characterized by a calm, phlegmatic character. White large breed of pigs has the following performance characteristics:
- The early maturing animals gain 750 g of weight in 24 hours. Individuals weighing 100 kg are taken for slaughter, piglets gain this weight six months after birth. For a pig to gain 1 kg of weight, 4 kg of feed must be spent on it.
- By the 1st year, the animal gains about ~ 200 kg. An adult sow weighs 240-255 kg, a boar gains up to 355 kg.
- The slaughter weight of the carcass to the pre-slaughter weight of the pig is 81%. The meat is penetrated with thin fat layers, which makes it juicy and soft.
- High fertility rate - an adult sow gives birth to 10 to 14 piglets.
In the modern livestock of large white pigs, the following productive varieties are distinguished:
- meat;
- meat and greasy;
- greasy.
Preference is given to animals of the meat-greasy (universal) variety.
Main pros and cons
Large white pigs have earned immense popularity due to:
- Adaptation to the harsh conditions of the Russian climate.
- Unpretentiousness to the stern. Animals are very receptive to replacing feed with quality products. But if the farmer cannot feed them quality feed, they can easily consume what they are given.
- Flexible genetic structure and excellent meat quality. Large white pigs are famous for their "marbled" meat.
- High fertility. A large number of offspring leads to a rapid increase in livestock with a small number of broodstock. This helps to reduce the cost of meat products.
- Excellent early maturity. In six months, the piglets gain the required weight and are ready for slaughter. This helps to reduce the cost of goods, in contrast to the late-maturing pig breed, for which more feed units are spent.
Often farmers are afraid to breed large white pigs because of:
- Obesity tendencies.
- Soft cheeks.
- Hanging sacrum.
- White color, which appears when walking animals in places unprotected from the sun.
- Sensitivity to frost, sun. Pigs are not driven to pastures in areas with a southern climate, where in summer the air temperature exceeds +30 ° C. With the onset of winter in the northern regions, animals are not taken out of the stall.
- High fat content. Over the years, Russian breeders have paid special attention to breeding the greasy type of animals. In the modern world, people have switched to meat, due to which the demand for breeding individuals of the meat and meat-lard types has increased.
Large white pigs are popular among Russian breeders due to the balance of positive and negative aspects of their breeding. The breed has many advantages over other breeding pigs.
How to keep the breed
To keep a large white breed, it is necessary to equip a warm pigsty, think over a ventilation system, and install a lot of lighting devices. The pigsty should be divided into zones where pigs can sleep, walk, swim, eat.
The place where the piglets will be will be equipped with a pen of 3 m2; for the sow, the area is expanded by 1-1.5 m2 more. The sucking uterus is allocated 6.5 m2, the area must be comfortably equipped and cleaned regularly. Particular attention is paid to the strength of the structure and fencing, since animals can easily destroy a flimsy partition or make a tunnel.
Piglets need five feeds a day and a comfortable stall. The water in the containers should be cool - this will prevent intestinal infections and disorders in animals.
Power features
White large pigs are recommended to eat food rich in vitamins and minerals - they facilitate the adaptation of animals to temperature extremes. The pigs need a spacious pasture, protected from the scorching sun and long walks. The best diet for animals would be foods like:
- potatoes;
- carrots;
- beets;
- radishes;
- pears;
- apples;
- dairy products;
- peas;
- alfalfa;
- compound feed;
- barley;
- oats;
- wheat;
- rye;
- cabbage leaves;
- legumes;
- zucchini;
- corn;
- pumpkins.
Youngsters are fed boiled root crops, plant foods, wheat and whey. One piglet consumes 2.5-3 kg of feed in 24 hours. It is recommended to add salt to food.
Breeding rules
The large white breed of pigs is characterized by early sexual maturity - they become adults in six months. The first mating is recommended for the 8th month - so the female will be able to normally, fully bear the cubs. The healthiest offspring are the piglets that the sow gave birth to at the 10th month.
The mating should be prepared in advance, choosing the right time. It is possible to determine the excitement of the female by the redness and swelling of the genitals, from which the discharge oozes. Pig restlessly rushes about the stall, grunts, squeals and refuses to eat.
At the peak of sexual activity, the female becomes immobile, inviting the male to copulate. Pregnancy in large white pigs lasts up to 4 months. Before giving birth, the sow's genitals swell, the mammary glands greatly enlarge, and the belly drops. The mom-to-be is restlessly moving around the stall, making herself a bed of straw.
Every breeder should know how to make it easier for a pig to give birth. After birth, piglets are cleaned of the piglets, ears, mouth, removing excess mucus. After that, they proceed to rubbing the bodies with a soft towel and cutting the umbilical cords. Iodine is used to cauterize the navel. Next, the piglets are brought to the mother to suck on the colostrum.
It is recommended to bring the pigs to the mother, even if at this moment she gives birth to the afterbirth. This is necessary to increase the vitality of the babies, relieve sow pain and speed up the completion of labor.
Prevention and treatment of diseases
White large pigs are prone to pneumonia, scabies, helminths. It is important to carry out processing in a timely manner, regularly clean the pigsty and bathe the pigs 4 times a year. At the first signs of pneumonia, it is necessary to call a veterinarian, give the animal 1 tablet of paracetamol - it will relieve the fever.
Pigs may become depressed or apathetic - this indicates overheating. A sick pig has a change in gait, heart rhythm beats, pulse quickens. The extreme degree of the disease is characterized by convulsions, vomiting, and foam from the sinuses. Before the doctor arrives, the pig is wiped off with a wet rag, taken out into the street, and given water. In case of deterioration, the animal is injected intravenously with glucose with caffeine.
Is it profitable to start
Large farms require large white pigs for good profitability.The high level of fertility contributes to the rapid growth of the livestock. Animals eat food in moderation, compensating for it with excellent quality meat. Small farmers and private household farms benefit from the ease of maintenance.
