The Ossabaw Island pig is a small breed that is descended from Spanish pigs brought to North America hundreds of years ago. Its origin is centered around the middle of the year 1500. Where the Spanish pigs crossed with pigs from the area which originated the pigs of this breed. These poor pigs, poorly bred and malnourished, are flooding the sanctuaries. Probably 90% of the population of the so-called micro pigs or pocket pigs will be dead or in a sanctuary before they reach the age of two.
The name of micro pigs is given because its size can occupy very small places. The Ossabaw Island pig is a breed of pig derived from a population of wild pigs on the island of Ossabaw, Georgia, United States. A breeding population has been established on American farms outside the island. But they are still an endangered variety of pigs.
Characteristics of Ossabaw Island Pig
The characteristics of the pig breed of Ossabaw Island in both phenotype and genotype have been shaped by the pressures of wildlife in an island habitat. They are small size pigs, which reach less than 50 centimeters tall at maturity. Both males and females are similar in size and weight, which is why both weigh a maximum of 90 Kg. The size of this race is due in part to the phenomenon of dwarfism of the island where this race lives.
And individuals kept on farms of the island can grow slightly larger in successive generations. They are also robust and very good fodder, making them useful in extensive agriculture. Ossabaw Island pigs appear in a wide range of colors, the most common being black and a spotted variety. They also have long snouts, the back of this breed is straight, the ears are very vertical.
As for the coat, this breed has a heavy layer of fur compared to other pig breeds. In addition, the colors of the coat are something opaque, and in addition, the coat is hard. The chest of this animal stands out, so when seen in profile, it looks very round. Ossabaws are observed to be intelligent and friendly pigs in terms of temperament. As a result of living on an island where the abundance and scarcity of food are seasonally variable, the Ossabaw pigs store the fat. This is achieved in a different way to most domestic pigs and they have an economic gene.
Usage
The Ossabaw Island pig is a double-purpose breed. Which is used for meat production, as well as in laboratories for its characteristics? When this breed is fed under conditions of food storage systems, they accumulate more fat than other pigs and can develop a prediabetes condition. Because this feature makes them useful as a model organism. In addition, scientific studies on metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes have been carried out in the Ossabaw pig.
Also, the meat of this breed is dark, with a unique texture, and is a prize for resembling Iberian ham of black Iberian pork. It is considered to be an artisanal, a heritage product especially to use meat in cured meats, and whole roasts of pork. You may also like to read Minzhu pig
Food
The Ossabaw Island pig is a breed that usually feeds in stables, and the farmers are responsible for the food supply. Because this breed tends to get fat very quickly, farmers have to monitor their diet. Since sometimes this race show signs of type 2 diabetes when they have access to food throughout the year. Usually, the pigs of this breed feed them with grass, and with native vegetables from the island. Ossabaw pigs have also adapted to high salt diets and the minimum availability of fresh water on the island. You may also read Norwegian Landrace pig
Special Features
The Ossabaw Island pig is a breed that is particularly adept at gaining weight quickly when they have unlimited access to high-calorie food. In addition, island pigs also relatively develop the same disease symptoms as people suffering from morbid obesity. In the same way, this race suffers from an advanced degree of arteriosclerosis and blood pressure, they develop moderate resistance to insulin. Another particularity of Ossabaw Island pigs is that they gather fat around their internal organs. This makes the Ossabaw pigs ideal for researching obesity and diabetes.
FAQ
How big do Ossabaw pigs get?
Ossabaw pigs are a large breed of swine that originated in South Georgia, USA. On average, they can get up to around 600 pounds and reach lengths of 5 feet. The size of an adult Ossabaw pig depends on its gender, age and growth rate due to genetics. Generally speaking, adult males can grow as large as 700-800 pounds while females typically do not exceed 500-600 pounds. They also have relatively long legs for their body size allowing them to move quickly through brush and densely packed forested areas.
Where did the Ossabaw Island pig come from?
The Ossabaw Island pig is an indigenous swine breed found in the United States. It originated from the Old World Wild Boar, which was brought to Georgia in 1539 by Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto. These wild boars were released on Ossabaw Island, near Savannah, and interbred with domestic pigs that were likely brought over by European settlers or explorers in the early 1700s.
What is the temperament of an Ossabaw pig?
The temperament of an Ossabaw pig is generally described as even-tempered, friendly, and docile. The Ossabaw Pig is a critically endangered breed that was first discovered living on the island of Ossabaw off the coast of Georgia by Spanish settlers in the 1500’s. Due to their unique environment with little human contact and plentiful food sources, they developed a very mild temperament compared to other typical pigs, allowing them to be easily handled without becoming aggressive or stressed.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide has been helpful in understanding the Ossabaw Island hog breed. If you’re interested in learning more about these fascinating pigs, we are happy to provide additional resources and information on our website. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!
As a reference: Wikipedia
