The Pietrain pig, which has its origin and name in the town of Brabant, Belgium, has been known since 1920 and was not discovered until 1950. The race almost died out during World War II because of its lack of fat. It comes, probably, from well-formed Norman pigs and then has its origin in the genetic mutation of the halothane gene at the natural level of 80% of the total population of the breed.
Historically, the development of extreme types of bodybuilding has been done in Germany and Belgium. However, the biodiversity of the Pietrain breed is very poor, with a very limited number of really different lines. Piétrain is a Belgian pig breed that takes its name from the Walloon village of Piétrain. The first mention of this unique animal was in 1920, and it received recognition as an official breed by 1950. It lives well on small plots where they can find food year-round with little human interference
Characteristics of Pietrain Pig
The Pietrain pig is a medium-sized breed. The males of this breed when they are adults weigh between 260 and 300 Kg. While females are smaller and less weight, so they weigh between 230 and 260 Kg. The pigs are somewhat shorter, with broad backs and muscled backs. The coat of this breed has short but very hard hairs, which is beige on most of the body. In addition, the coat has black spots which are not uniform, and around have a reddish reflection. You may also like to read Dutch Landrace pig
The head of this race is short and does not have much jowl, and the ears are small which are in the horizontal direction and towards the front and the tip of the same is directed upwards. While the spine is wide and thick and shaped with many muscles. This race does not have a prominent abdomen. Even the abdomen of this race is parallel to the back. The tail is medium in size and is bent upwards.
Usually, the females arrive to have their first birth when they are already the first year of age. The females of this breed have 6 pairs of tits. And the litters become 10 offspring per stoppage. After weaning they have a good survival rate, reaching between 7 and 8 live chicks.
Usage
The Pietrain pig is a race that is a dual purpose, which can be used both for the production of meat as well as for crossing with other species. The quality of the carcass is very high content in lean muscle and low fat. Optimal noble parts percentage. The exceptional conformation of the Pietrain pig makes it the most suitable for crosses. In addition, the products offer a much-improved channel, regardless of the type of mother.
Pietrain pig produces 83% carcass meat. These qualities make the Pietrain boar an improvement factor for other breeds. Regardless of the female, crossing with Pietrain boars will always result in a substantial improvement in the quality of the carcass. A better proportion in noble parts and a better commercial classification. The use of this race is indicated to improve the conformation of the channels.
However, taking into account that the quality of its meat is not as good as that of others such as Landrace or Large White, it is more suitable for the meat industry of fresh products. Like the rest of the pig breeds, with the exception of the Iberian breed, there is no differentiation in the final product.
Food
The Pietrain pig is a breed that can be fed by a stabling system as well as by intense grazing systems. In addition, the vegetation of Belgium is varied, the reason why in addition to obtaining branches, pastures and roots also it is possible to be fed diverse vegetables.
However, when farmers let this breed feed in open spaces, they have to give it certain supplies. Since that way would guarantee that the race can gain weight. Also, when there are cold seasons in Belgium, pigs should be kept only in stables.
Special Features
The Pietrain pig is the only breed that produces meat without fat. The relationship between the weight of the muscles and the weight of the carcass is the highest of all the known races. The Pietrain and Belgian White breeds can give lower quality meat when compared to the Large-White or Landrace breeds. You may also like to read Czech Improved White Pig
This difference is due to the rapid decrease in pH after slaughter which results in pale, exudative and less tender meat. Furthermore, this breed adapts easily to the environment that surrounds it. This breed provides good characteristics to their offspring when it crosses, and mainly improves the yield of meat. That is why it draws the attention of farmers, and they have to export it to countries like Spain. Something that is a disadvantage of this breed is that it grows very slowly until it reaches the weight of 75 Kg.
FAQ
What is disadvantage about Pietrain pig?
The Pietrain pig is a breed of domestic pig that is popular in Europe and the United States for its lean meat and high-quality bacon. However, there are some disadvantages to this breed. First, the Pietrain pig has a tendency to be aggressive, which can make it difficult to manage in a farming environment. This can lead to increased stress on both the farmer and the pigs, resulting in poorer welfare for the animals. Additionally, these pigs require more space than other breeds due to their larger size, meaning that farmers need to have larger farms or pens in order to raise them.
Are Pietrain pigs terminal or maternal?
Pietrain pigs are terminal sire breed, meaning they are used to produce meat and not for breeding purposes. They are a hybrid of various European pig breeds, including the Landrace, Large White, and Duroc.
What are some physical characteristics of a Pietrain pig?
The Pietrain pig is a hybrid breed of pig that is known for its lean meat and rapid growth rate. Physically, the Pietrain pig has a white body with black spots, usually on the head, back, and legs. It has a long snout with a straight profile, small ears that are set close to the head, and short legs. The Pietrain is considered to be one of the larger breeds of pigs, with adult males weighing up to 600 pounds. They have thick skin and short hair which makes them well-suited for outdoor living in colder climates. Additionally, they have an excellent feed conversion ratio which makes them an efficient choice for commercial pork production.
Conclusion
The Pietrain Pig is a medium-sized breed of pig that originated in Belgium. It has been around since 1920 and was not discovered until 1950. During World War II, the race almost died out because it lacked fat but then reappeared after mutations to its halothane gene at 80% of the total population were found. This article will help you learn about this unique breed with interesting facts like their name coming from Brabant, Belgium and that they come from Norman pigs originally or from genetic mutation of the halothane gene at a natural level which give them an appearance like those seen in medieval tapestries!
As a reference: Wikipedia
