There are currently a huge number of pig breeds . One of the rarest and most exotic is the Hungarian mangalitsa. It is bred mainly for delicious dietary meat.
Breed history
The Hungarian mangalica was bred - as one can already judge by its name - in Hungary, by crossing the semi-wild Carpathian pigs Bakonyi and Szalontai with the Mediterranean Sumadia. The main distinguishing feature of the breed is the presence of a sufficiently thick long coat, curling in winter. The purpose of the crossing was the breeding of an animal that was maximally adapted to difficult weather conditions and unpretentious in food.
Officially, the Hungarian manganese breed was registered in 1830. Around the same time, it was forbidden to cross it with other species of pigs. Violations were even punishable by law. Unfortunately, in the middle of the last century, this wonderful breed was almost completely bred. This was due to a sharp increase in the import of overseas early meat species of pigs into Hungary. However, they did not completely forget about the Hungarian brazier. Thanks to the efforts of VNIISK specialists, the breed was successfully restored. Hungarian breeders did not even have to cross with any other species of pigs. To restore the population, pigs from one of the half-feral herds of braziers were simply captured. After six months of fattening, the live weight of pigs reached approximately 350 kg. Some instances, they even weighed 500 kg. With all this, the animals fully preserved the genes of the old original breed. Revival activities were carried out in the 80s of the last century.
The pig breed Hungarian mangalitsa was immediately imported in large quantities. Initially, she was bred in the Moscow region and the North Caucasus. Now this breed is becoming more and more popular in our country. With regard to foreign countries, it has become widespread in Spain, England, Hungary and Ukraine.
Characteristic features of the breed
As already mentioned, the main distinguishing feature of the exterior of these pigs is the presence of wool. Other fecundities include not too great fecundity (4-5 pigs in the offspring), phenomenal unpretentiousness in food and the most delicious meat, in comparison with any other breeds. The latter characteristic is the main reason for the popularity of this species. Most varieties of braziers molt. In piglets on the back, longitudinal strips are clearly visible, which is why they are very similar to wild boars.
Adult specimens of the Hungarian mangalitsa breed (photos confirm this) have short legs and a large belly. The constitution and the skeleton of these pigs are strong and well-developed. Females reach puberty by the end of the first year. Pregnancy can last 116-120 days.
Brazier meat
Currently, only two varieties of pigs are bred - meat and greasy. Hungarian brazier belongs to the second group. Her meat is very juicy, with fatty layers. The growth in young animals is quite fast. At the age of 8 months, pigs already have about 5 cm of subcutaneous fat (shpig). By 10 months, this layer reaches 9 cm.
Brazier meat is considered a delicacy and, among other things, is distinguished by its presentation. Due to the layers of fat, it looks "marble". In Europe, which has recently been actively switching to natural products, it is very much appreciated. Meanwhile, at the age of six months, piglets of the Hungarian mangalits weigh about 70 kg. And it’s almost at the pasture.
In Spain, many farmers keep these guinea pigs on a specially developed diet, one of the components of which are acorns. Subsequently, a very popular and expensive dish is prepared from meat - jerky ham ham. Only one kilogram of this product costs 4 thousand rubles. The ham is first dried, and then dried in the shade in hot weather - in a hot wind.
Content Features
Due to the presence of wool, the Hungarian mangalitza can be kept on a walk both in summer and in winter. In the warm season, the "fur coat" saves the animal from insects, in the cold - from frost. However, more often this pig is kept in closed unheated sheds in winter. If you breed the braziers in the same way as ordinary pigs - without walking at all, their hair does not grow. Inoculations to pigs of this breed do not.
How to feed
Another hallmark of these animals is omnivorous. On pastures, the Hungarian mangalitsa pig feeds on leftovers from harvested fields, reeds, acorns, grass (even very hard), algae, digs roots. You can feed animals with beets, zucchini, carrots, potatoes, etc. These pigs are very fond of corn cobs. Experienced manganese farmers do not recommend giving them too much food. This is especially true for piglets. From overfeeding, babies can even die. And there is no sense in extra costs. With a minimum amount of feed, these pigs can gain up to 700 g of weight per day.
Piglets can be fed from 3-5 days of life toasted barley and a liquid mash. It’s very good to give pigs chalk, red clay and bone meal. Of course, water should be available to animals all the time. Piglets independently begin to gnaw vegetables and fruits at the age of three weeks. The banding of them disappears about a month after birth. At the same time, they can be excommunicated. Tails to pigs do not stop.
Hungarian brazier: reviews
Our farmers have a very good opinion about this breed. The unpretentiousness of animals in food and the lack of the need to equip the pigsty with heating equipment are especially valued.
The brazier breeding business is considered profitable not only because of the rapid growth and tasty, well-diverging meat. These pigs are also grown for sale. Since the Hungarian mangalitsa (photos of breed representatives can be seen on the page) in our country is still not very widespread, and the climatic conditions are good for it, piglets are very willing to buy.
Of course, experienced livestock breeders are advised to buy young animals only in farms that enjoy a good reputation. Pigs of the Hungarian downy brazier are standing about 15 thousand rubles.
Farmers respond very well to the nature of the animals we are considering. These pigs are very friendly, both in relation to their owners, and to other animals on the farmstead.
Abroad, there are sometimes not too flattering reviews about barbecues. However, they are mainly associated with ignorance of the characteristics of the breed and risky acquisitions of young animals from dubious sellers. The fact is that some unscrupulous farmers are crossing wild boars with ordinary pigs, after which they give out piglets for the offspring of barbecues. Such animals gain weight very slowly, their meat is tough, and their character is aggressive.
Varieties of breed
Currently, only three main varieties of mangalits are officially registered - blond (szoke), red (vurus) and swallow (fecskehasb). Farmers also single out the so-called “black wolf” as a separate group. However, the origin of this species among breeders raises some doubts.
Mangalits white
Blond is currently the most common breed. The hair of these pigs can take on different shades - from grayish white to yellowish red. These mumps are subject to seasonal molting. At this time, their pigmented skin is clearly visible through the greatly thinned hair. Blondes' hooves, mouth, nose, and nipples are black. The ears and head of the braziers of this species are of medium size, and the patch in profile is slightly curved. Another distinguishing feature is a tail thickened at the base with a white tassel at the end. Szoke has black eyebrows and eyelashes. Mangalica sows Hungarian blond varieties have five nipples on both sides.
There are some signs that are undesirable in terms of breed purity - pink or light skin on the stomach, white color, dark ends of the hair, ears covered with dark bristles. Unauthorized or spotty hair, the presence of white spots on the skin and pink nipples are considered completely unacceptable.
Red variety
The main advantage of this group of mangalits is considered to be high fecundity. One sow usually brings 8-10 piglets. These individuals also gain weight faster than others. Their coat is dark red, and pigs grow very large. The species was bred in Hungary, in the east of the Great Plain.
Swallow
This group was obtained in southern Croatia. The bristles of the swallows are black and rather short. On the bottom of the croup from the neck to the abdomen - white or silver.
Interesting about the breed
In the homeland of the brazier - in Hungary - an annual festival dedicated to it is held. Its participants present to the public attention products made from the meat of these pigs. It can be salami, sausages, the famous Hungarian shpig and, of course, all kinds of smoked meats.
The export of pigs of this breed outside the country for breeding purposes is strictly prohibited. Nevertheless, the Hungarian mangalitsa, in some incomprehensible way, quite widely spread throughout the neighboring countries. However, the Hungarian ban still affected the cost of these pigs. To pay for their tender meat or young animals will have a lot.
As you can see, the Hungarian mangalitsa is an extremely interesting breed, and its breeding, quite possibly, will become a profitable business. Of course, pigs cost a lot of money, but in farms engaged in their breeding, orders are currently scheduled for a long time to come, which indicates the growing popularity of these unpretentious exotic “sheep” pigs.