The Philippine Native Pig is one of the most important breeds in Philippine history. The Philippine Native pig has now been declared extinct but there are many other breeds that were developed from it, like Berkjala, Diani, Kaman, Koronadel and Biltong. These breeds all share similar characteristics as they come from the Philippine Native breed which includes a coarse coat of black hair with silvery-white hairs on their sides where they form a top running down to the central point of the back that becomes more noticeable during breeding season when males develop their famous mane over their neck area!
The Philippine Native Pig is either black or white with a brown belly. There are 4 different types of this breed: Ilocos, Jalajala, Berkjala and Diani breeds which were developed from the first type mentioned. Unfortunately, because it was not sustainable for them to continue breeding these pigs due to their extinction they sought out other ways in order to preserve what little there’s left of them such as preservation centers that keep an eye on any potential sightings so we don’t forget about our past history!
Characteristics of Philippine Native Pig
The Philippine Native pig is a medium-sized animal. When this breed reaches the age of 6 and 8 months it can weigh up to 60 Kg. However, the male of the female of this breed can be differentiated at a glance and this is because the male is larger than the female. The male, for example, can reach up to 130 centimeters long. While the female reaches a maximum of 125 centimeters long. You may also read Czech Improved White Pig
The coat of this race is black in the greater part of the body, nevertheless, it has the belly of white color, and sometimes they are also born with white legs. Another characteristic of the coat of this breed is that it is very thick, and they have a good length. Usually, in the males of this breed when they are in mating season, the coat is bristling. The fur remains firm, which is maintained from the head to the middle of the back.
And those in the head seem to be a ridge. While the tail is medium in size, and has a bit of long hair, and can use it as horses do. This race moves the tail to the sides and thus manages to scare away the insects that pose around it. Although the movement of the tail is also indicative of the mood of the pig.
In addition, this race is very fertile. The females of this species when they reach 4 or 5 months of age are already able to reproduce. In general, the litter of this breed is conformed by 4 and 5 young by litter, although the maximum of young by litter is 8 young. Another characteristic of the females of this breed is that they are good mothers, and the lactation period lasts 5 weeks. Enough time for the young to grow and develop well.
Usage
Philippine Native pig is a race that has only one purpose. In general, this breed is used for meat production. Even in the Philippines one of the main dishes is the roast suckling pig, food that they use for any holiday. In addition, the islands that make up the country of the Philippines are high consumers of pork. In some areas, they can consume up to 500 pigs in a week. You may also read Dutch Landrace pig
Food
Philippine Native pig is a breed that has to be fed with a lot of alignment since the feed conversion of this breed is very low. That is why farmers have to combine food together with some implements so that the breed gains weight. Among them some you feed them with vegetables from the area, which brings and enriches the flavor of the meat of this breed. They also supplement the diet with rice, barley, and wheat. Sometimes they are justifying open spaces to feed on grass, grasses, and roots.
Special Features
The Philippine Native pig is a few specimens that come to think that this breed is in danger of extinction. Something that is disadvantageous in this species is that it has a very low feed conversion. So farmers have to invest a lot of money in their food. There are 2 species of this breed, which have few differences, however, at the geographical level, one of the subspecies of this breed inhabits the northern islands of the Philippines. While the other subspecies of this breed are found in the central and eastern islands of the Philippines.
FAQ
What is the native pig of the Philippines?
The native pig of the Philippines is called the Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons). It is endemic to six islands in the country: Panay, Negros, Cebu, Samar, Leyte and Masbate. This species is highly prized by locals for their meat quality and is an important source of protein for Filipinos.
What do Philippine Native pigs eat?
Philippine Native pigs, or Philippine Visayan swine, are among the most resilient and beneficial livestock species in Southeast Asia. They feed on a variety of natural food sources including grasses, roots, tubers, fruits, insects and small animals. In addition to these natural food sources they may also be given supplementary feeds such as kitchen scraps and commercial pig feed.
What do Philippine native pigs eat?
Philippine native pigs are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They primarily feed on roots, tubers, fruits, seeds, insects, mollusks and other invertebrates. In the present day context however the diet of Philippine native pigs is typically composed of grains such as corn and soybean meal supplemented with vitamins and minerals to meet their nutritional needs. There are also reports that these pigs supplement their diet with foraged items like fallen fruits from nearby trees in residential areas or people’s gardens. A lot of its non-plant food sources come from scavenging which it does by exploring fields in search for food scraps discarded by famers or looking for wild boar leftovers from hunters.
Conclusion
The Philippine Native Pig is one of the most important breeds in Philippine history. It has now been declared extinct but there are many other breeds that were developed from it, like Berkjala, Diani, Kaman, Koronadel and Biltong. These breeds all share similar characteristics as they come from the Philippine Native breed which includes a coarse coat of black hair with silvery-white hairs on their sides where they form a top running down to the central point of the back that becomes more noticeable during breeding season when males develop their famous mane over their neck and shoulders. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck finding your new best friend at our farm!
As a reference: Wikipedia
