Pig breeds Flashcards
Berkshire
Considered a good starter pig as it is small in size but offers good meat and is largely friendly.
British Landrace
Versatile pig suitable for indoor or outdoor systems.
British Saddleback
Hardy and good grazing ability makes it ideally suited to outdoor and organic systems.
Duroc
Ideally suited to outdoor systems. Coat moults in summer to leave the pig looking almost bald.
Gloucestershire Old Spot
Hardy, suitable for outdoor systems. Must have at least one clear spot but no set number of spots are required beyond that.
Hampshire
Extensively used to sire crossbred pigs. Leaner than some other breeds, providing carcasses with good conformation.
Large Black
Ideal for outdoor systems. Pigmented skin stops them getting sunburnt. Docile and easy to handle.
Large White a.k.a. Yorkshire pig
Indoor or outdoor systems; if outdoor, must have adequate mud to wallow in to prevent sunburn.
Mangalitza
Distinctive coat. Used for production of hams and salamis. Meat is well marbled.
Middle White
Distinctive short nose
Oxford Sandy and Black
Pietrain
Renowned for its very high yield of lean meat but this is often associated with the presence of the halothane gene for Porcine Stress Syndrome. For this reason the use of purebred Pietrain in British pig production is relatively rare and it is most commonly found in crossbred and synthetic terminal sire lines. A small number of purebred herds are maintained to supply stock for these breeding programmes.
The breed is of medium size and is white with black spots. Around the black spots there are characteristic rings of light pigmentation that carries white hair. The breed is commonly referred to as being of piebald markings.
Tamworth
Distinctive red gold hair. Mothers are docile but protective and have good milk supply. Hardy and resistant to sunburn.
Welsh
Can thrive in indoor or outdoor systems.
British Lop
Classed as vulnerable by Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
