Pig ram - breed

The fauna of our planet is rich in very interesting species, which are the product of human hands. For example, the mangalitsa, an endangered cloven-hoofed farm animal, often mistaken for a pig-sheep hybrid, is actually a cross between a common domestic pig and a rare wild boar.

History

A ram-like pig was bred at the Hungarian royal court in the early 19th century. The breed, called the Mangalitsa, surprises everyone with a wonderful wavy "fur coat", which is "put on" by an ordinary domestic pig. The wool obtained from wild ancestors (reed boars and red giants of the Shalontai breed) is striking in its length and density, in winter it still curls in large rings, which makes the mangalitsa look like a real sheep, especially from the side of the tail.

This type of pig quickly gains weight and does not present any particular difficulties in care. Due to this delicious dietary meat, as well as the unique appearance, the pig, which looks like a lamb, became very popular by the middle of the last century in its homeland, Hungary, and was successfully promoted to the world market.

Pig ram - breed

Characteristics and features of the breed

A ram pig has a dense, but light, strong bone skeleton, the animal itself is quite large: by the first year, the piglet gains up to 160 kilograms of live weight, the adults reach three centners. All individuals have good muscle mass with a minimum of adipose tissue.

A distinctive feature of the breed is a thick long hair that protects the animal from the cold, thanks to it, they say about the mangalitsa: a pig crossed with a ram. The tail ends with a fluffy tassel, while its base is dark, the tip itself is white. The breed is characterized by seasonal molting. In the summer, the downpipe falls out, the hard dark bristles curl into rings (which is why the mangalitsa are darker in summer). The coat becomes short, soft and protects animals from insects. If in summer the pig has a thick white coat, it means that its nutrition is not entirely balanced, and the animal is freed from the winter "fur coat" for a long time.

Features of the breed

Hungarian pigs of this species differ in color:

• white (more than 80 percent of the total livestock of mangalits);
• gray;
• red (the rarest individuals);
• black;
• mixed - "swallow".

The last three are very rare and are raised only by breeding farms. White pigs have a piglet and a skin around the eyes of a dark shade. Many breeders believe that pig sheep can change skin color, depending on the conditions in which they are kept (for example, the type of soil on the run). Purebred representatives of the breed should have a large black speck in the lower part of the right ear, which merges with the general color of the animal as it grows.

Ripening of young mangalitsa is completed by one year.

Mangalitsa pig of swallow color

First-born females bring no more than 7 cubs, however, next time 10-12 striped pigs are born. This color of babies came from wild ancestors, crossing with which still left up to 40 percent of the genotype in modern mangalits.

The skull and head of such pigs have a shape different from ordinary pigs - medium-sized, protruding ears are directed forward, the piglet is slightly snub-nosed. The eyebrows and eyes of animals of this breed are always only dark.

Breeding features

Due to its resistance to low temperatures, thanks to the curly fleece, Hungarian mangalitsa can be bred in poorly heated buildings.

In addition, breeding downy pigs requires:

• there is a lot of walking space covered with grass - Hungarians love to graze very much, it is advisable to fence it against stray dogs;
• protective devices from the heat of the sun (after all, a woolen pig is covered with dense wool even in summer) and from bad weather;
• constant unhindered access to clean water - for drinking and bathing;
• the barn must have an optimal microclimate and ventilation system.

Pigs are very fond of acorns

Nutrition issues are very important. Pigs of this breed are absolutely omnivorous, but it is best to feed them (in addition to pasture) with steamed feed grains (fortified), root crops (potatoes, rutabagas, beets, etc.) and vegetables from their beds in raw or boiled form. They are very fond of pigs - sheep acorns, chestnuts, corn and even seaweed with reeds.

When breeding downy pigs, it should be remembered that purebred mangalitsa are very rare and expensive - unscrupulous breeders can interbreed with ordinary domestic pigs and mix - pollute the blood, gradually losing breeding properties, so it is advisable to require the pedigree of piglets when purchasing.

A real sow - a mixture of wild boar and domestic pigs, reaches its peak fertility only after the second farrowing, so the breeder needs to be patient and not wait for an instant profit from the mangalitsa.

Mangalitsa pigs

It is recommended to purchase piglets when they reach the age of 4-5 weeks, when their menu already includes raw or boiled vegetables (in addition to mother's milk) and porridge. It is imperative to include red clay and bone meal in the diet of young animals for better growth.

Early weaning from the female is fraught with digestive and psychological problems of furry pigs. From the age of six months, feeding begins according to the following principles:

• for a couple of months it is recommended to give the pigs steamed barley in the form of porridge;
• in the future, you need to mix barley with corn grits (ratio - 1: 2);
• potato mash also helps mangalians gain optimal weight.

Mangalitsa sheep pigs reach sexual maturity in six months. The sow carries piglets for 4 months. The next cross with a boar can be carried out as early as 5-6 days after farrowing.

Breed advantages and disadvantages

This type of unusual pig is quite popular among livestock breeders, thanks to its many advantages:

• the meat of these animals is very tasty and dietary due to a very thin fat layer, contains many useful substances and vitamins;
• when roasting meat, the fat melts, which gives the dish a special juiciness;
• lard obtained from mangalitsa is the most valuable type of pork fat among all breeds;
• thanks to the woolen fleece, pigs can be kept in the pen all year round, no additional heating is required;
• pigs quickly gain an excellent live weight of 3 quintals, which economically justifies their maintenance costs;
• the pigs of the mangalitsa are omnivorous and will eat with appetite, even if you mix different types of feed, so feeding the herd is not a problem;
• the breed has a very strong immunity, which was given to it by crossing with wild boars, therefore, preventive vaccinations are not needed for piglets;
• housewives can comb out the undercoat of pigs, like sheep's wool, and use it for knitting;
• exotic appearance and cleanliness of the breed (there is practically no "pig" smell).

The main advantage of pigs is their exotic appearance.

The spread of this breed of pigs, sheep, is constrained by a number of disadvantages:

• it is very difficult to find a purebred mangalitsa - it is easy to run into half-breeds and hybrids that lose valuable properties if they continue to be crossed with domestic pigs;
• piglets are very expensive, significant investments of money and time are required for the full reproduction of the herd;
• to get delicious meat and bacon, such pigs must certainly be walked on the green grass;
• the first farrowings in sows are few in number, individuals mature for a long time.

The demand for good-quality tasty lard and dietary pork is growing; no “alternative protein” (soy, cricket, etc.) can compete with it yet. The meat of the Hungarian woolen pigs of the Mangalica breed is very popular among gourmets, which look like someone crossed a ram and a domestic pig, due to the curling dense fur, so unusual for representatives of this species.