2. Improved Breeds

2.1 Improved breeds(groups)

Four groups of pigs are found in India, these are 1. Wild pigs,  2. Domesticated indigenous pigs, 3. Exotic pigs and 4. Cross bred pigs. The breeds of pig reared in the states are commonly cross-breeds. The local/deshi type of pigs has already been replaced with improved breeds. Improved breeds are now being used for grading up the form the basis for pig production in the rural areas.

Indigenous Breed (Deshi)

Introduced breeds such as Berkshire, large white Yorkshire, Hampshire, Saddle black and Duroc have gained popularity and acceptance throughout NE. Two pig breeds (Ghungroo, Dome) are popular in Assam and plains of Nagaland.  In the Garo hills of Meghalaya and Champhai district of Mizoram, the local type of pigs are preferred to exotic breeds for the quality of meat as well as resistance to diseases. At the same time the exotic breeds require intensive care and other management practices. The important pig breeds reared in India are as follows:-



Large white Yorkshire  

Large White Yorkshire

Most extensively used exotic breed in India.They are white in colour with long body, erect ears and snout of medium lengths and dished faceThe sows are known for heavy milk production and excellent maternal instincts.Live weight of a mature male 300 – 4oo and female 250 - 350 kg.High prolificacy, with a large litter size of 12.Widely used for upgrading local breeds.

Middle White Yorkshir 

Middle White Yorkshire

Used in some areas in India. Grows rapidly gives good dressing percentage.Not so prolific as large white Yorkshire. Male’s 250-340 kg. Female’s 180-270 kg.






Landrace          

Landrace

They are white in colour with large drooping ears, long body Females are known as good maternal instincts. They are noted for having the highest number of pigs per litter, average litter size of 11 with a good weaning rate. Average live weight of matured male is 310 – 400 kg and female is 250 – 330 kg.Good for Bacon production. High Prolific breeding and efficient in utilizing feed. Excellent breed for cross breeding.

Berkshire  

Berkshire

Average live weight of matured male is 250-300 kg and female is 200-250 kg.The Berkshire is a compact, short legged breed with a dished face, medium length snout and prick ears. The colour is black with white “socks”, white tail and white mark on face. Non-intensive indoor and outdoor pig production-specialist pork production Hardy the Berkshire can cope with most conditions and is well suited to an outdoor system. The average Litter Size for the Berkshire is 10 piglets and the breed is known for having good maternal instincts. Docile- The Berkshire is a docile breed that is easily managed The Berkshire is an early maturing, pork producer similar to the Middle White. 

Ghungroo Pig: A potential strain of indigenous pig for the rural farmers

Ghungroo

Ghungroo an indigenous breed of pig first reported from North Bengal is popular among the local people because of high prolificacy and ability to sustain in low input system.  This breed produces high quality pork utilizing agricultural byproducts and kitchen wastes.  Ghungroo are mostly black coloured with typical Bull dog face appearance, with a litter size of 6-12 piglets, individually weigh about 1.0 kg at birth and 7.0 – 10.0 kg at weaning.  Both sexes are very much docile and easy to handle.  In the breeding tract they are maintained under scavenging system and mainly act as insurance to the rain fed agriculture.  Some of the selected sows have delivered litter size of 17 piglets at birth as compared to the other indigenous strains of pigs.

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2.2 Selection of Breed:

2.2.1 General:

For successful pig farming always good breeding animals are used. The piglets that are produced must grow fast and produce quality carcasses with a high percentage of meat and a small quantity of fat.

When buying pigs for the first time, it is advisable to get assistance of someone along who has the necessary knowledge and experience.

In the case of a small-scale farm, with 20 or less breeding sows, the following selection can be used:-

(i)For commercial pig farming upgraded / crossbred or exotic stock in good health should be selected.

(ii)While selecting a gilt or sow primary aim should be to secure a female that will produce large survivable litter and which can attain marketable weight at an age of six months or less.

(iii)Animals those are ready to be bred should be selected. Identify the newly purchased animal by giving suitable identification mark (ear notching or tattooing).

(iv)Vaccination must be undergone the animals against diseases. Keeping the animal under observations for a period of about two weeks and then mix with the other animals is essential.

(v)Purchase animals in two batches at the interval of three months should be borne in mind.

(vi)Judicious culling and replacement of animals in a herd must be followed.

(vii)Cull the old animals after 10-12 farrowings.

2.2.2Selection of Boars:

Yorkshire Bore

The following are the important criteria for selection of boars for breeding purposes.

(i)They must be offspring of better producing gilts and sows.

(ii)They must belong to a litter with size and weight of not less than 8 and 70 kg respectively at weaning.

(iii)Boars satisfying above stipulations are subjected to preliminary selection at 5 months of age provided they have a body weight of at least 60 kg.

(iv)Final selection of boars should be undertaken at 7 months provided it has attained a body weight of at least 90 kg.

(v)Must be free from physical defects.

(vi)Breeding males and females should be selected from different litters and boars should be changed periodically – preferably once in two years – for avoiding inbreeding.

2.2.3 Selection of Breeding Boar:

Modern and well-established scientific principles, practices and skills are essentially used as to obtain maximum economic benefits from pig farming.

2.2.4 Selection of Breeding Females:

Yorkshire Gilt

Gilts: Breeding pigs are selected from mother pigs having good mothering ability as shown by large litter size and weight at weaning. Gilts should have 12-14 evenly spaced sound teats, good growth rate and feminity.

Weaned sows: Sows are usually weaned at 8 weeks after farrowing. The weaned sows come into heat in 3-10 days after weaning. They may be bred on the first post-weaning heat itself since this period is most fertile. She may respond to nutritious diet and pick up fast if the condition is poor.

Pregnant sows and gilts: In addition to having proper nutrition, the pregnant animals should be provided with regular exercise. Forced exercise may be brought about by feeding some distance away from the house or inducing the animal for moderate walk. Sows of the same size and condition can be run together. Also, the bred and gilts may be housed separately. Boars must not be kept in  house along with pregnant stock. Overcrowding, mixing of new and old stock, slippery ground and overexciting of pregnant pigs should be avoided absolutely.