Pig breeds are part and partial of our global food industry, serving as a potential source of protein food. Pig farming has emerged as the most lucrative venture among many communities in Kenya particularly marginalized areas offering them a breakthrough to alleviate poverty. When it comes to pig farming, the profitability of the venture depends largely on the breed of pig that a farmer chooses to keep on their farm.
Selecting the right breed is therefore crucial for ensuring optimal returns. Therefore, the farmer must select a breed that is adaptable to the local environment, disease-resistant, high growth rate, high reproductive capacity in litter size, and overall health productivity. Pig performance relies on their genetic quality as well as the environment in which they are raised. Although there are over a hundred types of breeds worldwide, Kenyan farmers only concentrate on four main breeds due to their economic importance. Farmers select each of the four breeds based on their unique traits from each other.
Large white Pig breeds.
This is a highly recognized breed by farmers in the swine industry. The large whites are known for their exceptional growth rate, meat quality, and high performance in terms of feed conversion. This is the most common breed in our country and widely available to Kenyan farmers.
The trait of a large white breed.
Here are some physical traits of a large white breed.
- The Large White pig breed is characterized by its white skin and the absence of black hair.
- This breed is known for its large frame and late maturation, with a long middle and light shoulders.
- Compared to other breeds, they have longer legs, but they often display poor ham development and long deep sides.
- The head is moderately long, with a slightly dished face, and pricked ears.
Farmers keep large white breeds due to their commercial traits that favor them in the market.
Here are some of the traits;
Size
Most farmers prefer a large white breed due to its large size. This makes them impressive for the meat production industry. Large white has a sturdy build and can reach a substantial weight. This makes them good candidates for commercial pork production. A mature boar can reach a maximum weight of 300 to 400 kg while a mature sow can go up to 230 to 320 kg.
Maturity.
The boar typically reach maturity around 8 to 10 months while the sow reaches maturity around 7 to 9 months.
Growth rate.
They are known for their rapid growth rate making them efficient in converting feed into muscle mass. This makes this breed popular in the pork industry where a fast growth rate is essential for increased profit.
Litter.
A vigorous selection has improved large white breed reproduction capacity. The average litter size ranges from 11 to 12 piglets per litter.
Adaptability.
Large whites are outdoor breed and, therefore hardy enough to cope with the most climatic conditions.
Diseases resistance.
Both mature and piglets have high resistance and adaptability to diseases in their genetic makeup. Therefore farmers can rear them under many environmental conditions.
Uses of the large white breed.
The Large White is a highly resilient and robust breed of pigs that can thrive in varying environmental conditions. This breed is often used in crossbreeding or hybrid programs, with the most favored cross being Large White and Landrace. Commercial herds usually employ this cross as the maternal line. Additionally, a third breed, such as Duroc or Hampshire, is typically used as a terminal sire. The breeding programs aim to produce pigs that meet the consumer’s demands for lean meat content and low-fat levels in the market.
Landrace Pig breeds.
Farmers have for a long time recognized landrace breeds. This is due to their exceptional marketing qualities, hence making them a good choice for farmers and breeders. This breed is hardy, adaptable, and has excellent maternal characteristics. Farmers prefer landraces because of the lean meat and very little fat content.
Physical characteristics of the landrace breed.
Landrace have white skin and are free from black hair.
They are a lop-eared pig with a long middle, light forequarters, and excellent ham development.
The major faults with the original Landrace were leg weakness, splay legs, and nervous disorders such as porcine stress syndrome (PSS).
Marketability traits.
Large size, and long body.
The male has a longer body of about 160 to 180 cm while the female measures about 158 to 170 cm.
Good piglet growth rate.
The piglets grow very fast reaching a weight of 18 to 20 kg within two months. Furthermore, the piglets attain a weight of 100 kg by the end of 200 days. In conclusion, an adult male can reach a weight of 230 to 320 kg while a female weighs 210 to 230 kg at maturity.
Litter size.
Landrace is capable of producing 13 to 14 piglets. Compared to other breeds landrace have a high milk production to support their piglets.
Maturity.
Landraces have a high growth rate compared to other breeds. Landrace pigs grow in 5 to 6 months, which is a fast growth rate in the pig world.
Hampshire Pig breeds.
This breed has exceptional meat quality, efficiency in feed conversion, and hardness. This breed has gained popularity among farmers in Kenya due to its rapid growth rate, excellent carcass trait, and unique black colour with a white belt.
Hampshire has excellent reproductive performance with sow showing strong mothering instincts and high fertility. They have a good litter of 10 to 12 piglets per litter. Additionally, piglets show a high survival rate. Finally, they have a high growth rate making them suitable for pork industries.
Hampshire attains good weight with the male weighing about 300 to 350 kg and the females weighing about 250 to 300 kg.
Maturity.
They have a relatively high maturity with piglets reaching sexual maturity by 7 months.
Adaptability.
The breed exhibits good adaptability and hardness making the suitable for small-scale farmers.
Duroc Pig breeds.
The Duroc pig breed has a high value in the pork industry due to its exceptional meat quality and vigorous growth rate.
Physical Characteristics
Duroc pigs have distinct reddish-gold coloration, which sets them apart from other pig breeds. They are medium to large-sized pigs with muscular bodies, strong legs, and a docile temperament, making them easy to handle and manage.
Duroc has a fast growth rate, efficient feed conversion, and excellent meat quality. Their meat is renowned for its marbling, tenderness, and juiciness, making it a preferred choice for pork enthusiasts and commercial producers alike.
Breeding Standards
To maintain the integrity and quality of the Duroc pig breed, strict breeding standards are established by swine associations and breed registries. These standards govern various aspects of breed selection, including physical traits, genetic lineage, and performance metrics. Breeders follow these standards to ensure the preservation of desirable traits such as feed efficiency, growth rate, muscle quality, and overall conformation. By adhering to these breeding standards, breeders can enhance the genetic potential of Duroc pigs and contribute to the continual improvement of the breed.
Characteristics of Duroc pigs.
Reproduction
Duroc has relatively higher pig per litter compared to other common breeds of about 10 to 15 piglets per litter.
Maturity time.
Duroc is the fastest growing of all native pig breeds and develops in excellent pork-weight carcasses from 6 to 8 months of age.
Healthy.
Durocs are generally a strong, hardy, and healthy breed. But as it happens to all other livestock, they need proper caring. Feed them good quality feed at every stage of development.
Body weight
The average live body weight of a mature boar can reach up to 227 to 295 kg, while the average live body weight of the sows can go up to 204 to 340 kg.
Commercial Significance
The Duroc pig breed holds significant commercial value in the pork industry due to its exceptional meat quality and economic benefits. Duroc pork is prized for its superior marbling, tenderness, and flavor profile, making it a preferred choice for high-end markets and discerning consumers. Commercial producers favor Duroc pigs for their rapid growth, efficient feed conversion, and adaptability to various production systems. Additionally, the breed’s exceptional maternal characteristics make Duroc sows valuable for crossbreeding programs aimed at producing market-ready pigs with superior performance and meat quality.
In conclusion, selecting the ideal pig breed for your farm is a crucial decision that requires a thorough evaluation of several factors. You need to take into account your primary objectives, the climate and environment of your region, the growth rate, temperament, disease resistance, and market demand for pigs. It’s essential to research and compare the characteristics of different pig breeds. This enables you to gain a better understanding of their unique strengths and considerations. By doing so, you can make an informed decision that will contribute to the success and profitability of your pig farming operations. Remember to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each breed to determine the one that best meets your specific needs and goals in pig farming.
