A large white pig is currently the most common variety in Russia. This remarkable highly productive breed in our country contains the majority of farmers. Among other things, large white pigs are considered in Russia also the best breeding base. For several decades now, new pig varieties have been created on the basis of this breed in the Russian Federation.
The advantages of such piglets include unpretentiousness, early maturity and fertility. These pigs are attracted, of course, not only by experienced farmers, but also by beginners. Characteristics of the breed of a large white pig and will be considered below in detail in the article.
A bit of history
Large white and breeds bred with its participation account for 80% of all pigs currently bred in our country. The popularity of such piglets among Russian farmers is due primarily to their early maturity, unpretentiousness to feed and the ability to gain a lot of weight. Since this breed is really widespread in the Russian Federation, sometimes it is even called Russian large white.
However, these pigs were bred not at all in our country, but in England, back in the 19th century. At that time, the Yorkshire breed of pigs was very popular in this state. After it began to gradually degenerate, British farmers agreed not to cross such animals with any others. As a result, the breed was not only preserved, but also acquired even more outstanding qualities.
Such pigs were first brought to Russia in the 19th century. However, in those days, the large white breed of pigs had less attractive characteristics. Therefore, then in our country she did not take root. Later, all pigs of this breed that were available at that time in landowner farms were also almost completely destroyed during the First World War and the Civil War.
For the second time, English white pigs were brought to Russia in the 1920s. last century. The main goal of the procurement then was the need to solve the food problem in a starving country and the quick replenishment of herds on collective and state farms. About 600 sows and wild boars were brought to Russia in those years. Later, representatives of this breed began to grow in almost all regions of the country.
Gradually, the English breed adapted to Russian conditions and acquired even more attractive qualities for farmers. Modern white large pigs are quite calm about traditional feeds in Russia and tolerate the harsh climate of our country somewhat better than their ancestors.
Large white pig breed: description
The main distinguishing feature of such piglets, of course, is their large size. At the age of one year, young growth of this breed weighs about 200 kg. The skin of large white pigs is pink and smooth. The features of the breed also include:
- lack of creases on the legs and body;
- broad forehead;
- legs slightly longer than those of many other breeds;
- not too long, slightly concave snout.
In the photo of large white breed pigs presented in the article, one can see how big and strong individuals can grow. The back and chest of such piglets are very wide, and the hams are pronounced.
Economic value
Of course, farmers are primarily attracted by the excellent characteristics of the large white pig breed in terms of productivity. Such animals actually grow very quickly. In addition to early maturity and the ability to gain weight, farmers include the advantages of these animals:
- high fecundity;
- calm disposition.
For one farrowing sows of this breed are able to bring up to 14, and sometimes up to 18 cubs. In this case, piglets are born almost always strong and healthy. At the age of 2 months, such young animals can already weigh 20-25 kg.
Breed as a breeding base
The economic value of such pigs, as already mentioned, lies in the fact that it can be used to breed new varieties. Even mestizos from large whites are usually distinguished by their ability to grow quickly and good health. On the basis of these piglets in the USSR, for example, the now very popular Ukrainian and Belarusian breeds of large white pigs were bred.
Both of these breeds, like the parent, are very popular among farmers. Their representatives also quickly gain weight and are almost no different from their English ancestors. Economic characteristics Belarusian large white breed of pigs, like the Ukrainian one, are simply outstanding. Feeding these animals can be for meat and fat.
In what direction is the breed developing?
In terms of productivity, the characteristics of large white breed pigs are significantly superior to other popular varieties. It belongs to the group of meat-tallow directions. Sometimes such piglets are grown even as bacon.
In Soviet times, breeders focused mainly on the greasy qualities of this breed. But lately, consumer preferences have changed a bit. At the moment, people acquire mostly still less fatty and more healthy meat. Therefore, today, the selection of a large white pig is aimed at increasing the percentage of fat in the body, and not muscle mass. For this, large white pigs can interbreed, for example, with landrace.
Meat quality
Large white pigs can be fed, as already mentioned, by different technologies. When growing such piglets, you can get the so-called marble bacon meat with a lot of not too thick fat inclusions. Such a product is distinguished by excellent taste characteristics, delicate structure and juiciness, and therefore is very popular among consumers.
Farmers can also get good income when fattening large white pigs using greasy technology. This technique involves the use of fairly cheap feed. The thickness of bacon in pigs of large white breed with the use of this technology reaches about 37 mm. This indicator can be considered very good.
Disadvantages of the breed
In terms of productivity, large white pigs are superior to most other modern pigs. In fact, there are many advantages of such piglets. But still some disadvantages of this breed, of course, are. Diet for such pigs, for example, is quite difficult to develop. The fact is that large white pigs show a strong tendency to obesity. During overfeeding, they become less active and, as a result, begin to get sick more often.
Also, English large pigs do not tolerate sharply continental climate. With intense heat in the summer and frost in the winter, they can feel depressed and significantly reduce their productivity.
What should be a barn
Some susceptibility to difficult weather conditions is an insignificant lack of large white breed pigs. In Russia, the climate, as you know, is quite harsh. And in order to get good profit when breeding large white pigs in our country, for such animals it is necessary to build insulated sheds. To erect structures is allowed from any materials. The walls, floor and partitions of such buildings must be strong enough. The fact is that large white pigs are very fond of nibbling and breaking surrounding objects. The flimsy enclosing structures of these animals are likely to be destroyed very quickly.
Most often, pigsties are erected from bricks or foam blocks. But you can use a log or timber to build a barn for these animals. Insulate pigsties for large whites are usually just inexpensive mineral wool.
How to equip premises
In a pigsty for large white piglets, it should be not only warm, but also dry, spacious and clean. The floors in such buildings are usually made slightly sloping. At the same time, a gutter is additionally equipped in the pigsty to drain sewage. Sometimes pigs can be kept in a common pen, and in some cases, in individual ones. But under any circumstances, equipping a barn for these animals, one should take into account such standards:
- for one young piglet grown for meat of large white breed in a pigsty, there must be at least 3 m 2 of area;
- for a pregnant sow - at least 4 m 2 ;
- for a pig with cubs - not less than 6 m 2 .
Since large white pigs are afraid of the cold, the straw litter in their pens should be thick enough. Also in the building for such piglets is supposed to mount ventilation. Of course, heating will not be superfluous in the pigsty for representatives of this breed. Also, in such a building, it is necessary to carry out water supply.
What can a pig diet consist of?
In feeding piglets, as already mentioned, are absolutely unpretentious. They can eat any grain grown in Russia. Also, such pigs do not refuse fruits and vegetables, root crops and, of course, food waste. It is believed that in summer large white piglets are very useful to drive out to pasture. Here they easily find pasture.
On large pig farms, such animals are usually kept on specially formulated compound feeds. The appointment of large white breed pigs can be different. Such animals are grown as fat and meat. Depending on which product they want to get in the end, and the compounding of the feed is selected.
At home, the menu of fattening pigs of a large white breed, for example, may be as follows:
- corn grain - 45%;
- beets - 25%;
- pumpkins - 20%;
- herbal bean flour - 10%.
On a day, one adult piglet should receive about 3 kg of food rich in proteins, vitamins, trace elements and amino acids. Feeding of such pigs is carried out usually three times a day.
Of course, piglets should always have fresh clean water in their drinkers. It is believed that its temperature in any case should not exceed 20 ° C. Otherwise, pathogenic bacteria may begin to develop in it. And this, in turn, can cause an outbreak of an epidemic of some dangerous ailment, loss of part of the livestock and a sharp decrease in animal productivity.
Breeding
Large white breed pigs show good productivity indicators not only in terms of weight gain, but also in terms of the rate of increase in livestock. Such animals usually reach puberty at the age of 5-6 months. Pregnancy in the queens of this breed lasts about 115 days. Before giving birth, the belly of the manufacturer drops, and the nipples swell. The pig begins to behave uneasily, raking the litter and dragging it in the corners.
Births themselves in large white breed queens usually go away easily. But during the birth of piglets next to the pig must be a farm worker. In young babies born, it is necessary to remove mucus from the nose and mouth and wipe their body with a dry, clean cloth. It is also necessary to ensure that the sow in the first hours does not strangle part of the babies.
Piglets of large white breed are applied to the nipples of the mother no later than 45 minutes. after childbirth. In the future, the cubs are kept separate from the pig, letting them in only for the duration of feeding.
Most farmers wean piglets from the uterus at the age of 45-60 days. Before this, animals are gradually accustomed to root crops, concentrates and roughage.