Studies by historians show that pigs were domesticated by humans during the Mesolithic era about 7 thousand years ago. Today, their meat is consumed in many countries of the world, but among Muslims and Jews it is an unclean animal, and it is forbidden to eat pig meat. And today, together with thebiggest.ru, we will consider together the largest pig breeds in the world and learn about the largest specimens.
Large breeds
To begin with, we propose to consider the largest breeds, and then personal champions in size and weight.
1
Vietnamese Whiskers
The birthplace of an unusual breed is considered to be Southeast Asia, and in 1985, a Vietnamese pig was introduced into the countries of Eastern and Western Europe. Work is ongoing to improve productivity and fertility.
This is an animal of bacon physique, reaching a length of just over 1 meter. Adults weigh 100–120 kg. One of the most prolific breeds, because one sow can bring 24 pigs per litter.
It has become popular in Europe, as it quickly fattenes and walks on weight. At the exit of slaughter meat, 73–75% of live weight is obtained.
2
Duroc
An unusual-looking pig was bred in the United States, and became the basis for the selection of mixed meat breeds. It is characterized by unpretentiousness in care, but it requires increased protein nutrition during the growth period.
Adult boars grow to 400, females weigh a little less - 320-340 kg. Pretty early breed, offspring 9-10 piglets in one litter.
Body of orange-brown color is of moderate length. Ears are down, and the body itself is quite massive.
3
Landras
It became the first specialized breed of bacon-type domestic pigs, and bred them in Denmark. Breeders crossed the local breed with large white.
The result was a slightly elongated body with a wide ham. Mostly grown to produce tasty meat, as this breed has a very thin subcutaneous layer.
Adult males grow up to 330 kg, and females up to 250 kg. Sows are quite prolific, bringing 11–12 pigs per litter. Over time, the breed was introduced into Russia and is now grown throughout the Russian Federation.
4
Large white
In the photo one of the most popular breeds among pig farmers around the world. As a result of thoughtful breeding, it was possible to create a breed with excellent meat, lard and bacon.
Bred it in England in the second half of the XIX century, and in the USSR, the first representatives appeared only in the 80s of the twentieth century. The maximum weight of adult boars reaches 370 kg, sows weigh 100 kg less.
Representatives of this breed are unpretentious in care, easily acclimatized to weather conditions. With proper nutrition, the meat is juicy and tender.
5
Mirgorodskaya
Meat breed was bred in the Poltava region, and in 1940 was recognized as a separate breed. Because of its peculiar color, it is also called Mirgorodskaya pockmarked.
Quite large pigs of black-motley color grow up to 175 cm in length, and weigh from 280 to 330 kg. As a result of popular selection, great productivity was achieved.
Salo of this breed is considered the world standard, so its layer reaches 4.5 cm, and has a delicate taste. Every year a festival dedicated to this breed is held in Mirgorod, and at fairs its meat and lard are always in price.
6
Large black
A strong-built pig was bred in England in 1899 as a result of crossbreeding of local lop-eared breeds with Chinese black and Neapolitan.
The live weight of an adult sow is 250 kg, and boars reach 350 kg. They have a wide chest, a kind of barrel-shaped. The back is usually straight, but arched. The thickness of the fat reaches 2.3 cm, but they are grown for meat.
Today they are bred around the world. Especially well established in Belarus, Germany, as well as the central regions of Russia.
7
Ukrainian steppe
The first domestic breed bred by breeders in the reserve "Askania-Nova." The number of livestock ranks second on Ukrainian farms.
Two directions are grown, meat and greasy. They quickly gain weight, and adult sows weigh 230–260 kg, boars up to 350 kg. By the year the weight of young growth reaches 150-180 kg.
They are easily acclimatized during hot summers and windy winters. They have strong and strong legs, a massive body, and a white suit. It looks rougher than Mirgorod. Due to the delicious meat and tender lard, Ukrainian farmers easily arranged supplies to Eastern European countries.
Records in the history of pig farming
These are the instances about which thebiggest.ru found information on the Internet. Perhaps history knows other no less large pigs.
1
Big bill
In the US state of Texas in the late 1920s and early 1930s there was a huge boar named Big Bill.
Its weight was 1 ton 153 kg, and in length it grew to 2 meters 72 cm. Growth at the withers reached 1 m 52 cm.
It was a cross between a Polish and a Chinese breed, and the champion in size and weight died in 1933. After death, a scarecrow was made of him.
2
Chun chun
Another record holder lived in China. His weight reached 900 kg, and his body length was 2 m 50 cm. He lived only 4 years.
Most likely, the internal organs of the boar simply could not withstand such a weight overload. A unique stuffed animal was made of it, and now it is one of the most famous exhibits of the China Agricultural Museum.
This is so far the only case in the Middle Kingdom, when a boar has grown to such an abnormal size.
3
Big norm
In the United States lived another major representative nicknamed "The Big Norm." The owners, providing the animal with good nutrition and care, were able to grow a boar up to 2 m 50 cm in length.
With such dimensions, he weighed 1 ton 200 kg. At exhibitions, he always took prizes, and was considered the largest representative of the pig tribe.
4
Old slot
Today, the largest in the history of pig farming is considered to be a boar nicknamed "Old Slot".
This was a representative of the Gloucester breed, and he lived in Cheshire in the UK under the supervision of a farmer named Joseph.
At the withers, the growth of the “Old Slot” reached 1.5 m, it weighed 6 tons 395 kg, and grew to 2 m 94 cm in length. Although some experts have doubts about its parameters, the British boar, like Big Bill, fell on Guinness World Records pages.
Summarize
So we found out how much the largest pig in the world weighs, and what are the largest breeds of pigs. Since ancient times, a pig is considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity, because of which souvenirs in the form of piggy banks were popular. These animals are found in ancient Egyptian and Scandinavian mythology, and in Ukraine they erected a monument to it with the inscription on the pedestal "Nurse". Thebiggest is waiting for your comments and thoughts on the largest pig breeds. Perhaps you would advise adding someone to our list?