Features of keeping Vietnamese bellied pigs. vietnamese pig

The Vietnamese bellied pig is a fairly new breed of domestic pig, first introduced to Canada and Eastern Europe just over three decades ago from Vietnam. To date, breeding work continues, aimed at improving the qualitative characteristics of this breed in order to increase the size and muscle mass. Most active work are now being conducted by specialists from Canada, Hungary and Ukraine.

Description of the Vietnamese bellied pig

Today, purebred representatives of the Vietnamese fold-bellied breed are widespread in Canada, Southeast Asia, Hungary, Ukraine and Romania. Relatively recently, breeders of Asian herbivorous pigs appeared in Belarus and Russia, where this breed is still quite rare, but very promising.

This is interesting! Representatives of the breed are well adapted not only to the hot humid Asian climate, but also to the rather harsh winters characteristic of Canada and central Europe.

Vietnamese bellies are characterized by high precocity, so they reach puberty already at the age of 4-6 months. Such animals use ordinary meadow pastures very well. The advantages of the breed also include high immunity, excellent milk production and a balanced psyche of sows, which greatly facilitates the care of offspring.

Appearance

An animal of bacon build, with a broad and squat body with a broad and well-developed chest. Gilts and adult sows have a sagging and fairly large belly. The head is small in size, with a pronounced pug-like appearance. For wild boars at the time of puberty is characteristic active growth fangs, the size of which by the age of three can reach 10-15 cm.

Erect ears of small size. Adult individuals are distinguished by the presence in the area from the croup to the neck of a long bristle, forming a characteristic "mohawk". The agitated or excited emotional state of such a farm animal can be quite easily determined precisely by the peculiar bristly appearance of the “Iroquois”.

Purebred representatives of the breed are distinguished by pure black color, as well as black color with small white spots in the head and hooves. Sometimes in litters you can observe the appearance of offspring with a color similar to a wild boar. Such a dark red in a longitudinal strip and too light color are not typical for representatives of this breed.

Lifestyle, behavior

Loose-bellied Vietnamese pigs are among the unpretentious animals that are distinguished by their good disposition and innate cleanliness. With strict observance of all the rules of keeping animals practically do not suffer from diseases, they perfectly and quickly adapt to different conditions of detention. Animals feed well and feed easily.

Representatives of the breed, regardless of age, are quick-witted and absolutely calm, do not dig or make noise for no reason. Asian herbivorous pigs are quite friendly not only to people, but also to any other agricultural or domestic animal. It is thanks to the ability for easy socialization, good-natured disposition and rather small size, as well as unusual appearance, Asian pigs in recent years have been actively distributed in many countries of the world as so-called companion animals.

The diet of the Vietnamese bellied pig

Farmers from different countries almost immediately managed to appreciate the undeniable advantages of representatives of the Asian herbivorous breed. When keeping Vietnamese pigs, huge feed costs are not needed, there are no problems with compiling a diet, and real income can be obtained in a fairly short time.

Piglets diet

The basic rules for proper feeding of Vietnamese bellied pig piglets:

• up to two months of age, the piglet needs to be fed seven times a day, which guarantees proper and uninterrupted digestion, the production of a sufficient amount of gastric juice;
• two-month-old piglets are recommended to be transferred to three meals a day with the introduction of boiled beets, potatoes, pumpkins and wheat. Good result gives a mixture based on whey, legumes and nettles. The standard feed rate is 3 kg;
• at the age of three months to six months, it is required to significantly increase the amount of protein in the diet, as well as increase the daily feed intake to 4 kg;
• at the age of seven months, the daily diet of piglets increases to about 6.0-6.5 kg, and for rapid weight gain it is quite acceptable to use wet, granular and various loose feeds.

The whole process of fattening Asian herbivorous piglets can be conditionally divided into three main stages, each of which is characterized by a different diet, optimally corresponding to the age characteristics of the farm animal:

• the milk period during the first four weeks of fattening is accompanied by weaning of piglets from the uterus. At this stage, the diet in without fail whole goat or cow milk must be present;
• The growing period lasts from four weeks to eight months from birth and provides ideal conditions for bone growth and muscle building. Piglets at this age feed on young juicy grass, and a sufficient amount of vitamins allows for the normal growth of the animal.

It is important to remember that in the third period of the main fattening, the diet of the bellied herbivorous pig should be actively supplemented with vegetable waste, including potato peelings, which cause an increased formation of a sufficient sebaceous layer.

The diet of adult pigs

IN winter period for quite natural reasons, green fresh food is excluded from the diet of the Vietnamese lop-bellied. At this time, it is extremely important to correctly select an equivalent replacement for greens. The most promising basis of the diet in the cold season may well be the feed presented:

• legume hay;
• hay of some cereals;
• grain crops;
• juicy feed in the form of carrots, apples, potatoes and pumpkins;
• ready mixed fodder;
• bran of cereal crops.

It should also be noted that harvested and pre-dried chestnuts and acorns have a very good effect on the health and productivity of a farm animal. Such feed components are recommended to be supplemented with all kinds of mineral additives. In winter, the daily feeding ration is divided into three to four meals, and the total volume is selected depending on the age characteristics of the animal. To obtain a greater effect, it is advisable to alternate different succulent foods, replacing vegetables with fruits.

By the onset of the summer period, the amount of concentrates and feed in the total diet should be reduced to about 20-25%. The remaining 75-80% should be occupied by greens, vegetables and diverse fruits. Distinctive feature Breed Vietnamese bellied pig is an excellent adaptability to grazing conditions, so in the summer, if it is possible to equip a paddock of sufficient size, it is advisable to keep the herd on fresh meadow grass. Pigs should be released to feed in the outdoor pen in the morning and in the evening.

At the last stage of fattening adult Asian herbivorous pigs main goal is to obtain the maximum possible weight gain, as well as improving the quality characteristics of meat. During this period, focusing on these tasks, the breeder should slightly change the daily diet with the correct percentage of concentrated feed and greens.

Optimal composition combined feed at the fattening stage of the Vietnamese bellied pig, the following is presented:

• high-quality fresh barley in the amount of 40-50% of the total amount of food;
• wheat in the amount of 25-30% of the daily diet;
• a mixture of corn, peas and oats in the amount of 25-30%.

Green fodder for such unpretentious farm animals can be fed in plenty not only with planned walking, but also with free grazing in pasture conditions, and the best option would be to use clover, alfalfa and sweet clover for this purpose.

Breeding and cultivation

Of all the breeds of pigs grown today, it is the Vietnamese fold-bellied one that belongs to the category of the most unpretentious and quickly adapting in terms of creating conditions for keeping and breeding. However, for the full growth and active development of the Asian herbivorous pig and its offspring, it is necessary to take into account some basic, simple points of maintenance:

• the presence of high-quality, efficient ventilation of the supply and exhaust type, which will ensure the optimal temperature regime for such farm animals in the summer heat;
• concrete floors covered with special wooden pallets, simple and easy to clean, as well as preventing bellied pigs from freezing in severe frosts;
• the presence of a sufficient area for walking with shelter from precipitation and the scorching rays of the sun;
• placement on the prepared walking platform of posts for scratching, as well as a special pit filled with a small amount of water;
• fully balanced and regular feeding, taking into account all age characteristics and health status of the farm animal.

In the conditions of one pen, designed to keep one ordinary large pig, two or three adult Vietnamese bellied pigs can be accommodated with complete comfort. Young animals of this breed also do not need any special care.

This is interesting! Particular attention is paid to regular thorough cleaning of the pigsty with mandatory systematic disinfection of feeding utensils and places of detention.

Newborn pigs should be provided with a temperature regime in the room at the level of 20-22 ° C. For this purpose, most often, special lamps are installed above the machine that heat the air.

Diseases, breed defects

Vietnamese bellied pigs different high level resistance of the organism, and the appearance of diseases is most often the result of:

• crowding of animals;
• unsanitary content;
• improper feeding;
• neglecting standard vaccinations.

A serious danger to the health and life of herbivorous Asian pigs are rapidly spreading infections:

• pseudorabies or Aujeszky's disease, caused by a highly virulent virus containing a DNA molecule that affects the nervous system in animals;
• viral gastroenteritis, which belongs to coronaviruses that quickly cause dehydration and intoxication of the body;
• erysipelas in acute, subacute and chronic form, most often developing in pigs aged from three months to one year;
• salmonellosis, which causes intestinal pathologies, so only early therapy can guarantee a favorable outcome;
• escherichiosis, or colibacillosis, caused by Escherichia coli, which actively begins to multiply with nutritional errors or as a result of a decrease in immunity;
• anthrax, often occurring in a lightning-fast form, in which the convulsive state is quickly replaced by death;
• swine pox, caused by a DNA-containing virus that is highly resistant even in adverse environmental conditions;
• listeriosis caused by a polymorphic bacterium that enters the body of an animal through lesions on the mucous membranes or skin;
• circovirus disease, which provokes severe inflammation of the lymph nodes and blood vessels.

This is interesting! The diseased animal lies or burrows under the bedding, assumes the pose of a sitting dog, and among other things, diarrhea, copious eye or nasal discharge, lack of appetite and weight loss, nervous phenomena in the form of convulsions or head tilting may develop.

These pathologies most often include lice and scabies. No less often, drooping Vietnamese pigs can develop helminthic infestations in the form of ascariasis, esophagostomiasis, and trichinosis.

Vietnamese bellied pigs are becoming quite popular in Russia. Despite the fact that in our country they have appeared recently, they have already become popular among livestock breeders.

Origin of the breed

Vietnamese bellied pigs originated in Southeast Asia. For the first time in Eastern Europe and Canada, they appeared in the mid-80s of the 20th century and were brought from Vietnam. Breeding improvement of the breed is actively conducted in Canada, Hungary, Ukraine. Often this breed is called "Mangal", implying that it is related to the Mangalitsa breed, but this is not so. Also, Korean and Vietnamese pigs are the same breed. In European countries and in the farms of America, the breed is popular among livestock breeders. Work is underway to improve the breed qualities, namely productivity, increase muscle mass.

Features of this breed

When choosing animals for your farm, you should familiarize yourself with its features of growing and keeping, with the advantages inherent in this breed. It is they who give pigs such popularity and great distribution.

1. Loose-bellied pigs start walking at the age of 4 months. Earlier maturation of females allows you to start hunting at this age. Males reach puberty by six months, sometimes even earlier at 4-5 months they can begin to cover females;
2. Newborn piglets are completely under the supervision of the female, who have a pronounced maternal instinct and are able to take care of their offspring on their own. In this case, intervention from outside is not necessary;
3. A strong immune system allows individuals of this breed to perfectly adapt to various climatic conditions from hot to cold, they can feel comfortable everywhere;
4. The meat has excellent taste, the thickness of the fat layer is 5-7 cm;
5. An excellent advantage of this breed is their resistance to diseases common in pig breeding, deworming is carried out from veterinary measures;
6. The sow is able to give a large offspring, from 12-18 piglets per farrow;
7. Feed intake is small, but pigs eat often, succulent feed is a large volume, but like all other breeds of pigs, they need a balanced diet;
8. Pigs do not defecate where they sleep, which greatly facilitates their care.

The productivity and manifestations of breed qualities depend on how suitable the content of the breed will be.

Exterior qualities

The breed has a typical bacon body type. Broad body reaching towards the ground. Fairly wide chest. Gilts and sows have a sagging belly. The head is small, pug-shaped, in adult boars fangs grow up to 15 cm in length. Small protruding ears. Males have bristles and can reach 20 centimeters. This bristle shows the emotional mood of the animal, rising, showing its condition. The coat color is mostly black, sometimes with light patches on the head, there are also colors that go into dark red with stripes, but this color manifestation is not typical for this breed.

How to choose bellied pigs for your farm

Farmers buy this breed to engage in either their purebred breeding or for fattening, and the cultivation of Vietnamese pigs as pets is also found. In any case, you must carefully select the right piglets for your type of rearing.

First of all, you should find trusted sellers, or a farm that has established itself in the market. If animals are needed for further breeding and breeding, then it is better to buy from different sellers to prevent closely related ties. When buying, you need to find out the weight of the piglet after farrowing and its weight gain every 10 days, this information will help to track the dynamics of growth and the correspondence of body weight to age.

It is important to look at the boar and the uterus, if monthly piglets are purchased, the sow will have well-defined milk signs. It is also necessary to pay attention to all the young animals presented. Thus, you can evaluate the overall picture of health and breed of a given seller.

Normally, Vietnamese bellied piglets have a developed muscular skeleton, strong, spaced limbs, a pug-shaped nose, uniform skin hair growth, everything should be clean under the tail, the piglet is active, has a good appetite. It is necessary to clarify the feed with what composition was given to the piglet, this is necessary in order to adjust the diet and select the feed composition that is optimally suitable for the piglets.

Piglets can be used for meat already at the age of 3-4 months, the optimal age and expediency of using piglets for slaughter at 6-7 months. Live weight is 50-60 kg, sometimes it can reach 100 kg. The average weight gain per day is 250-300 grams

Content method

First of all, you need to take care of the room where the piglets will be raised. Despite the fact that this breed is not demanding to special conditions, but they also need the necessary minimum. The advantage is also the small size of these animals, which will allow growing more in a smaller area.

If there is no ready-made room for arranging a pigsty, it can be built from bricks, ready-made blocks. A concrete floor can provide ease of cleaning indoors, but most of the floor is covered wooden planks this place is a must for relaxing. Boards are optimally suited for the cold season, they will keep warm. And the remaining concrete part will not allow digging indoors. The whole space is divided into machines (4-5 m2) one machine. In such a pen, 2 queens, or a uterus with piglets or one boar will fit. It is necessary to leave a wide passage between the machines, this is necessary for the convenience of cleaning the room.

The room should be ventilated without drafts. It is known that bellied pigs tolerate cold weather well, but best solution will make heating in the pigsty in order to provide comfortable conditions for animals in the winter season. It is especially important not to let the uterus and newborn piglets get supercooled. You can heat the stove, special radiators and any other available method.

Near the room where the pig will be kept, there should be a paddock, it is equipped with wooden blocks so that the pigs can rub against them. One adult pig requires 1 acre of land. Since the walking yard is only used when the weather is warm, it is necessary to have a canopy to prevent the gilts from the sun and rainy weather. They also organize a mud pool for them.

What to feed Vietnamese bellied pigs

Many people think flip flops should only be fed green food. But on such a diet it will not be possible to get good gains. In order for the live weight gain to be intensive, you should choose the optimal balanced diet, taking into account all the needs for enhanced growth. To figure out how to raise Vietnamese pigs at home, several aspects should be taken into account. Firstly, the material component, the composition of the diet depends on it, if possible, you can use more expensive components, but basically everyone wants to make a diet in the budget segment. And the second point is what we want to get from raising animals. If you want to engage in fattening for meat, then it is better to make the diet yourself.

Concentrated feed (grain) can be grown either independently or purchased ready-made. The organization of a balanced diet will allow you to get quality products at the lowest cost. In summer, the main share is occupied by green fodder. In Vietnamese pigs, the structure of the gastrointestinal tract is slightly different from ordinary pigs, the stomach is smaller, the intestines are also of a smaller diameter, and food passes through the gastrointestinal tract faster. Therefore, animals eat less, but often.

They are not suitable for roughage that contains a high fiber content. Best of all, they absorb green grass, alfalfa, clover hay. Concentrates are also included. It can be wheat, barley, rye. Oats and corn are not entirely suitable for bellied pigs as the main food, as they make the animals fatter. The feed mixture is made in the following proportions: barley 45%, wheat - 30%, oats - 15%, corn - 10%.

The grain is crushed in a mill and mixed in the required proportions. Whole grains are not digested and are simply passed out in the stool. Also steamed mash has a good effect on meat quality. To do this, pour the finished mixture with boiling water at the rate of 1⁄2 and add a little salt. This mash is steamed for 10 hours. After the mixture has cooled down, vitamins, fish oil, premixes can be added to it.

For 1 sow, 2.5-3 kg of feed is required at one time (only 2 meals per day). Uterus in the period of gestation, dairy products, eggs, vitamins are added to the feed. Piglets are given 1.3-1.5 kg of the mixture per head for one feeding 2 times a day. Loose-bellied piglets can also cook thick porridge from feed.

Animals will chew food longer, and therefore the assimilation of food will be much better. Vietnamese pigs are also given root crops and tubers. They are easy to store and in the winter season will be able to provide animals with the necessary vitamins. It can be carrots, pumpkins, zucchini, bean hay. Vegetables do not need to be boiled, as they will lose their qualities, so they are given raw. Boiled potatoes are added for greater nutritional value of the feed, up to 15% percent of the total feed.

How to breed Vietnamese pigs

An important rule in breeding Vietnamese pigs is the fact that there should be no closely related ties when mating. Despite the fact that the animals are maturing, the pig should not be crossed if its weight does not exceed 30-35 kg. An animal with such a small weight will not be able to bear full-fledged offspring, moreover, there is a risk of harm to the female.

How to determine the readiness for mating in Vietnamese pigs

1. the behavior of the pig becomes very restless;
2. The genitals become swollen and mucus may be secreted;
3. When you press the croup, the pig freezes.

To carry out mating, the boar is placed in a corral to the uterus for 1 day. After fertilization, the gestation period lasts from 114 to 118 days. 3-5 days before farrowing, you can see how the pig fusses and builds a nest for itself, its mammary glands swell, and the nipples begin to redden, the stomach drops noticeably. On the day the farrowing begins, the animal does not take food, the nipples secrete drops of colostrum.

How farrowing occurs in Vietnamese pigs

Before the start of farrowing, it is necessary to carry out a hygienic cleaning of the room where the sow is kept, lay a fresh bedding, put dishes with clean, not cold water. Although piglets in general can do without human intervention and the uterus can easily cope on its own, but as a caring farmer, you can still control this process and make it easier for the sow to care for newborns. Before the birth of the piglets, it is necessary to prepare the essentials, namely, wiping diapers, scissors, solution of iodine and cotton.

In the first hours after birth, piglets must be given access to colostrum, it also needs to be wiped, examined, to see if the airways are clogged, the umbilical cord is cut, bandaged and treated with iodine. The duration of farrowing can vary from 3 to 5 hours, after the afterbirth (usually 2 of them) has come out, farrowing can be considered complete. The afterbirth is removed, as the sow can eat it.

How to care for little Vietnamese piglets

1. Constant availability of milk every half hour, so that each newborn gets his portion;
2. Anemia is a very common disease in piglets, due to a lack of iron in the body. To prevent the occurrence of this disease, iron preparations are administered intramuscularly to piglets, such as ursoferran, ferran. For prophylactic purposes, ferran is administered to piglets on the 3rd-5th day of life - 1-1.5 ml intramuscularly in the thigh or neck area. For therapeutic purposes, the dosage is 2-3 ml for animals older than 2 weeks of age.
3. To control the weight gain and the condition of the animal, you can maintain tables of indicators.

10 days - weight not less than 1 kg
20 days - 1.5-2 kg
30 days - 2.5-3 kg

A month after farrowing, piglets are gradually weaned from the uterus and transferred to a more adult diet. Weaning occurs in a few days, this will help prevent the development of mastitis in the uterus, and the piglets will not be stressed due to a sudden change in feed. By the middle of the second month, piglets can be treated for worms with drugs such as Alben, Alvet at the rate of 0.5 ml per 10 kg of body weight once. Fattening is very profitable, but all this activity requires time, effort, and finances. Even despite the fact that these animals are not whimsical.

Meat qualities are especially noted in pigs weighing up to 40 kg, it contains the optimal amount of fat. Pigs up to 20-30 kg gain weight due to muscle mass, the remaining kilograms come from fat. The meat of Vietnamese pigs is a delicacy, its appearance is marbling, it is juicy, tender and tasty. And most importantly, at the age of 3 months, the pigs are ready for slaughter, which means you can provide yourself with an uninterrupted supply of fresh and tasty meat.

Vietnamese piglets became widely known at the end of the 20th century. The potential of bellied animals is still not fully understood. IN different countries world, work is underway to improve the breed.

At the end of the last century, Vietnamese bellied pigs began to be bred in Canada and Eastern Europe. Vietnamese breeders brought the new kind piglets, as one of the varieties of herbivorous Asian breeds. They came to Russia from Eastern Europe.

The largest breeding centers for representatives of the breed are open and are currently successfully operating in Hungary and Canada. Their breeders are working to improve the breed by increasing the muscle mass of animals and increasing their size. In Russia, the selection of bellied piglets is still poorly developed.

Description of the breed

When choosing animals of this breed for breeding, it must be taken into account that they are bred in a country that is located in a subtropical and tropical climate zone. They are characterized not only by high temperatures, but also by high humidity. The practice of breeding Vietnamese piglets in Russia has shown that they have perfectly adapted to the climate of the middle zone of the country.

Breed characteristics

Vietnamese bellied piglets differ from most breeds in significantly smaller sizes. Adult individuals reach a mass of 60-80 kg. This disadvantage is compensated for by such qualities as precocity and fertility. Puberty in Vietnamese piglets occurs at the age of 4 months. The knitting of the bellies begins to be done in the fifth month of their life. Every year, Vietnamese pigs bring offspring from 10 to 20 piglets.

Pigs have tender meat with a pleasant aroma. It is classified as a delicacy. This is a bacon pig breed. The layer of fat in adult animals has a thickness of 4-5 cm. It has meat layers, as befits real bacon. The advantage of the representatives of the breed is a stable weight gain.

Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Advantages	Flaws
Animals are compact in size, clean, do not have a specific smell characteristic of pigs.	They do not tolerate drafts well.
Growing Vietnamese fold-bellied piglets brings a good income.	Poorly digest roughage.
Almost 80% of the animal's diet is green food. This reduces the cost of growing.	Sows are overprotective of their piglets.
Vaccinated animals rarely get sick. They have good immunity.
A pig produces 2 farrows per year.
Pigs are calm. They make too much noise and do not cause much trouble.

Appearance

Vietnamese piglets can be distinguished from other breeds of pigs not only by their small size, but also by their drooping belly. This feature is characteristic not only for adult animals, in which the saggy skin can touch the ground, but also for young piglets. The muzzle of the bellied is much shorter than that of representatives of other breeds. Looking at them, it seems that they were slightly crushed by a patch. With their skin folds on the face, Vietnamese piglets resemble pugs.

The body of the animals is planted on short strong legs. The limbs of animals have fleshy hams. The back of piglets is long and wide. They have the same wide chest. Boars have stiff and thick bristles. The ears of pigs are small and very neat. They do not sag, as in most breeds of pigs, but always stand erect. Purebred "Vietnamese" have a black color. Spontaneous selection has led to the fact that at present representatives of the breed can be found in any color.

How to choose piglets

When choosing young animals, it is necessary to pay special attention to their parents. From them they inherit genetic features. There are several rules for selecting piglets for conformation. When buying, pay attention to:

• temperament of animals;
• no specific odor;
• compliance with the standards of external signs;
• healthy look.

The "Vietnamese" have a very calm disposition. Excessive excitement in them can cause some diseases. When buying young animals for breeding, it is not recommended to choose piglets of the same litter.

When purchasing animals, one should be interested in the dynamics of their weight gain in 10 days. It is worth paying attention to the legs of the animal. Monthly piglets already have well-developed leg muscles. The coat of healthy animals is even, and the body is elastic. Piglets should always be dry under the tail. They wave it from side to side, demonstrating their good mood and well-being. Weak piglets come out of a large litter.

Video - Mistakes when buying young animals

Keeping and breeding

The compact size of animals does not require large areas for their maintenance. Pig pens are made with an area of ​​​​4-5 sq.m. A pair of sows or a sow with a brood is placed in it. The boar is kept separately.

Video - Breeding Vietnamese lop-bellied

Requirements for the premises

Heat is perfectly preserved in brick and cinder block rooms. They have a wooden floor. Small gaps are arranged between the boards. In winter, wooden troughs for drinking and feed are installed in the pigsty. Vietnamese bellied pigs never defecate near them. This greatly simplifies the process of maintaining cleanliness in the room.

To facilitate the process of cleaning the pigsty, special bends in the form of grooves are made in it. Under the roof, you can arrange a small attic for storing hay. The size of the window in the room cannot be made larger than the area of ​​​​the stall. In winter, additional lighting is arranged in the pigsty. In the summer, pigs need walking. To do this, next to the pigsty, a small paddock is enclosed with a net or a fence.

Features of feeding

The “Vietnamese” are fed 3 times a day in winter, and 2 times a day in summer. The feed of an adult pig should include:

• protein - 12%;
• fiber - 15%;
• fat - 2%.

The consumption and type of feed depends on the weight of the animal, the purpose of breeding and the season. With a piglet weighing from 35 to 50 kg, the daily feed intake should not be less than 250 grams. Underfeeding the animal leads to weakness of the pigs, and overfeeding to their obesity. In pigs of normal weight, the ribs can be felt, but they do not protrude from under the skin.

Of the grain crops, lightly roasted and ground oats are best suited for the “Vietnamese”. Pigs eat it with special pleasure. It greatly accelerates the growth of the animal. The stomach of Vietnamese pigs is poorly adapted to the digestion of roughage, so grain feed can only be given to them in ground or boiled form. You can replace oats in feeding with rye or wheat.

They feed the "Vietnamese" in small portions. They do this in order not to overfeed the animals. When obese, they produce a large amount of fat, which disrupts the work internal organs. During the period of expectation of the offspring, sows include fermented milk products and boiled eggs in the diet.

Feeding babies

On the 7-8th day of life, piglets can begin to give them a small amount of ground barley steamed with boiling water. From the 2nd week, the young begin to be fed with wheat porridge.

In the first days of life, they feed on mother's milk. During this period, they are given only warm water to drink every day. On the 5th day of life, cow's milk can be introduced into the diet of piglets. Before feeding it is diluted with water. It is good to add some sweet syrups to milk.

On the 7-8th day of life, piglets can begin to give a small amount of ground barley steamed with boiling water. From the 2nd week, the young begin to be fed with wheat porridge. Weaning them from mother's milk begins after they reach the age of 1 month. From this moment on, young animals begin to be given chopped fresh grass, fruits and vegetables.

At the age of 2 months, protein food in the diet of piglets should be 20%. After 4 months, this proportion increases to 40%. Together with herbs, vitamins are added to pig feed.

Prices for popular models of grain crushers, feed cutters, grass cutters

Grain crusher-forage cutter-grass cutter

Step-by-step instructions for preparing porridge for feeding piglets

Step 1.

For the preparation of porridge that is nutritious and healthy for piglets, barley groats and crushed corn are taken in a ratio of 2: 1.

Step 2

Pour into a clean saucepan drinking water and bring to a boil, after which, stirring constantly, pour corn into it, and cook it over low heat for 20 minutes.

Step 3

After the corn is cooked, barley groats are added to it, everything is slightly salted and boiled, stirring the porridge, for another 10 minutes.

Step 4

Before feeding, the cooked food is cooled.

Prices for premix for pigs

Premix for pigs

Features of seasonal feeding

During the summer, the main share in general composition feeding is grass and vegetables. From the moment the grass begins to wither, rice flour brewed with boiling water is included in the diet of piglets. In winter, the amount of grain feed and compound feed is increased for animals. They are mixed with vegetables. It is good to include legumes and hay in the winter diet of feeding the “Vietnamese”.

Breeding

Home breeding of "Vietnamese" is a responsible matter. Females for mating begin to pick up after they are 4 months old. A mandatory selection criterion is weight. The pig should not weigh less than 30 kg. Boars for mating are chosen older than 6 months. The boar should always be older than the female. It is unacceptable to cross a pig and a boar, which are consanguineous.

The boar can be planted with the female when she shows signs of hunting. You can determine this condition in a mumps by not passing anxiety. During this period, she has swelling or discharge in the genital loop. In order for the mating to take place, the boar and the pig are placed in one pen for 1-2 days. You can determine the pregnancy of a female by a number of external signs:

• the pregnant female calms down and stops her sexual search;
• the pig becomes shy and actively begins to defend its territory;
• the female has a significant increase in body weight.

Pregnancy in Vietnamese bellied females lasts 114-118 days after mating. By the end of pregnancy, the pig resembles an inflated ball of elongated shape. During pregnancy, the pig must be given vitamins. It is best to add Kalfostonik to food, and Chiktonik to drink. It is strictly forbidden to water the pig while it is waiting for the offspring with cold water.

The proximity of the start of farrowing can be determined by external signs. In sows, the belly sinks to the ground, colostrum secretions appear on the nipples. Shortly before farrowing, the sow begins to prepare a place for herself to give birth. With her heel, she shifts the bedding into a large pile. It is also necessary for a person to prepare for the survey in advance. The enclosure needs to be cleaned and disinfected. Clean dry straw is laid on the floor.

The farrowing of sows must take place under human control. Before it starts, it is necessary to prepare clean rags and burlap for wiping newborn piglets. They are used for heating infrared lamps. In addition, you will need:

• scissors;
• iodine and "Oxytopin";
• several buckets of warm water.

The air temperature in the room where farrowing takes place should be at least 30 degrees Celsius. Sometimes sows can give birth to dead piglets. You can try to revive them. For this, a piglet's heart massage is done. At farrowing lasting more than 7 hours, the sow is given an injection to stimulate uterine contractions.

Sow care after farrowing

After giving birth, the sow loses her weight and strength. During this period, she needs enhanced feeding. Premixes can be included in his diet. They contain essential nutrients. A deficiency in the body of an animal leads to the development of iron deficiency anemia in it. Daily sow teats are treated with wound healing emulsions.

Care of newborn piglets

On the third day after birth, piglets are given injections of preparations containing iron. They are a good prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Babies are fed every 20-40 minutes. The degree of survival of piglets depends on the quality of nutrition in the first days after birth. It is very important to ensure that the kids do not starve.

Weight of Vietnamese bellied pig and meat prices

Piglets gain slaughter weight by 4 months. During this period, the "Vietnamese" weigh 30-35 kg. They begin a rapid set of muscle mass. The yield of gourmet meat is up to 80%. This is 15-20% more than in pigs of other breeds. The taste of the meat of the bellied piglets is intermediate between pork and turkey. A thin layer of fat has a marble structure.

After 4 months, the growth of piglets noticeably slows down. Weight gain occurs due to the accumulation of fat, so it makes sense to keep further piglets only for further breeding. By 6 months, the weight of piglets reaches 50-60 kg. In large farms industrial slaughter of "Vietnamese" is done at 7-8 months. Their weight by this age reaches 70-80 kg.

Fat lovers fatten piglets up to 10 months. Their weight by this period reaches 80-90 kg. The maximum weight that pigs reach with a long-term content is 100-110 kg, and boars 120 kg. Buy the meat of Vietnamese lop-bellied piglets in retail can be from 200 to 300 rubles per 1 kg.

Vietnamese piglets attract the attention of livestock breeders due to their small size, precocity and unpretentiousness in growing. They have become an excellent alternative for those farmers who do not want to raise ordinary large white pigs on their farms, or for livestock breeders who want to provide their families with a supply of fat and meat without incurring high costs.

Story

Vietnamese bellied piglets were first bred in southeast Asia. Only in 1985 did they become widespread in other countries and on other continents. Pigs got their name due to the fact that they were imported to other continents from Vietnam. The animals found their fans very quickly, because in a short period of time they were already known not only in Europe, but also in distant America.

To date, the work of scientists to improve the breed continues. They set out to improve the productivity of piglets, increase their size, increase percentage muscle mass. The Vietnamese lop-bellied pig came to Russia relatively recently. Due to inexperience and lack of knowledge among farmers, rumors began to spread that several breeds of Asian animals were grown in our country. However, it turned out to be one variety. A little later, it became known about another dwarf breed, which began to be used as an ornamental animal and called a mini pig.

External distinguishing features

Characteristic external features make it possible not to confuse Vietnamese piglets with other breeds. They began to be called bellied due to the fact that already at the age of one month the tummy sags in the piggy. In adult gilts, the belly may touch the ground. Their colors can be varied, but most often spotted and pitch black individuals are found.

vietnamese piglets

Loose-bellied black piglets may differ in an unusual, slightly flattened shape of the muzzle. They have a very wide back and short legs, so adult pigs can grow large, but at the same time undersized. Boars have a dense coat of bristles. There are lop-eared black piglets, although most often their ears are small. Vietnamese pigs are famous for their ability to quickly gain weight, which averages up to 80 kg. However, if the owner decides to feed the pet longer and creates the right diet for him, then the weight of the animal can reach 150 kg.

How to feed Vietnamese piglets

The main mistake of inexperienced farmers is that they try to organize feeding and create a diet for Vietnamese pigs the same as for ordinary whites. However, marbled Vietnamese piglets eat not only other foods, but also with a different frequency of meals. They need to be constantly fed throughout the day, and not limited to two meals a day. Vietnamese pigs have a stomach much smaller than that of a normal white pig, so their food is digested faster.

Black piglets (Vietnamese fold-bellied breed) are a herbivore representative of the animal world, therefore the owner must plan their diet exclusively from plant products.

They are fed:

• corn;
• hay;
• pumpkin;
• apples;
• pears;
• zucchini;
• forbs.

Beets and straw should not be given to Vietnamese pigs. They prefer fresh hay. The new menu should be designed taking into account the time of year and the availability of food.

Attention! It is impossible to use only pasture for feeding Vietnamese pigs, their diet must include compound feed.

If ultimate goal keeping the animal is getting bacon, then it should not be overfed. The ideal weight for such piglets is about 100 kg, they gain it in about 9 months. For individuals grown primarily for meat, the content of barley and corn in the diet should not exceed 10%.

How to feed Vietnamese piglets

Breeding Vietnamese piglets

Fertilization and farrowing in Vietnamese piglets take place without much difficulty. Sexual maturity of females occurs 4 months after their birth. The beginning of their hunting becomes obvious by restless behavior, refusal to eat. Vietnamese piglets get sick very rarely, so such symptoms are a sign that it is time to let the pig to the boar. Also, in females, the genital loop swells, and characteristic discharge appears. However, these indications may turn out to be false. To check whether reproduction can be carried out, it is worth leaning lightly on the croup. If the pig stands calmly and motionless, then it is definitely on the hunt and ready for fertilization, otherwise it will take some more time.

Attention! Close relatives should not be allowed to mate.

During farrowing, it is advisable for the owner to monitor the process so that there are no undesirable complications. At the ready, you should keep iodine, threads, cotton wool and scissors, so that if necessary you can cut the umbilical cord. The first signs of an imminent farrowing of a Vietnamese pig are restless behavior, a lowered belly, and formed milk lobes. By the time of birth, the room should be cleaned, only hay and water are left in the pigsty. A newborn pig requires additional attention, they wipe their mouth and snout from the accumulated mucus, and also make sure that each of the cubs receives a portion of colostrum during the first hour of life.

Breeding Vietnamese piglets is easy, profitable and even exciting. From one farrowing, up to 10 babies are obtained, gradually this figure can increase, and at a time the pig already brings 12 pigs. One female per year is able to do 2 farrowing.

Vietnamese piglet care

Caring for Vietnamese piglets involves, first of all, arranging a pigsty. Since the animals grow small, even in a small room you can keep several adults. How many pigs fit in a particular area depends on their age and size.

The barn is built both brick and wooden. To simplify the cleaning process, the floor can be concreted by covering the pigsty in a separate part of it with boardwalk so that the pets do not freeze. It is advisable to divide a large room into pens, in each of which to place several pigs. It will also make it possible to place separately sows and their offspring.

Vietnamese piglet care

Between the partitions it is worth building a passage so that it is convenient to distribute food and carry out cleaning. The room is well ventilated to prevent oxygen deficiency. In the cold season, the optimum temperature must be maintained so that the piglets do not get cold. This is especially true if a recently farrowed pig lives in a pigsty, which is undesirable to lie on a cold floor or in a cold room.

There is a recommendation from experienced pig breeders to release Vietnamese pigs in the summer to give them the opportunity to graze. Also, this breed of piglets is very fond of taking mud baths, which also needs to be taken into account by the owners. In hot and dry weather, this is required both for cooling and for repelling blood-sucking insects. Such conditions for growing animals are often created in the conditions of the middle zone (Volgograd, Moscow, Kursk regions, Moscow and the region).

So that an adult domestic boar does not come hunting every month, it is recommended to castrate it. This is done only if the individual is grown for slaughter. This is a very important condition, since the castrated boar becomes less aggressive, the meat obtained from it is devoid of an unpleasant odor. Castration of animals is carried out at the age of 1.5 months.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Like any other breed, Vietnamese piglets have their advantages and disadvantages.

The list of benefits is quite impressive:

• They quickly gain weight and become sexually mature. Boars are ready for mating at the age of 6 months, and domestic pigs - already at 4 months.
• Growing and propagating does not require much hassle. Females do an excellent job of caring for offspring, so the owner requires a minimum of effort.
• They have excellent immunity. Vietnamese piglets almost do not get sick and do not need numerous vaccinations and vaccinations, they easily adapt to various climatic conditions.
• From the Vietnamese breeds of piglets, very tasty and tender lard and meat are obtained, and the carcasses are cut quickly and easily.
• Female Vietnamese piglets have increased fecundity and give birth to up to 12 cubs at a time.
• The pig has genetic memory and does not eat poisonous plants.
• Vietnamese piglets feed exclusively on plant foods, which significantly reduces feed costs.
• Pigs are very clean and organize a sleeping place and a toilet in different parts of the barn.

The disadvantages of Vietnamese piglets are very subjective and are determined by the owners individually. Some are skeptical about the color of the animal, others are not satisfied with the small size or a thin layer of fat. However, in comparison with the advantages, these shortcomings are not so important. Many farmers happily turn a blind eye to them and continue to raise Vietnamese pigs on their farms.

With a responsible approach, pig farming will help not only provide your own family with lard and meat, but also organize a business, make a profit from the sale of surplus. In just a couple of years of keeping Vietnamese piglets, you can significantly increase the livestock. They do not require much attention to themselves, eat plant foods, and rarely get sick. Even a novice livestock breeder can cope with the cultivation of Vietnamese pigs.

In our time, the Vietnamese bellied pig has ceased to be just an exclusive pet. Livestock farmers are increasingly choosing to breed pigs Vietnamese breed .

vietnamese bellied pig

History of the Vietnamese breed

The Vietnamese Loose Belly pig breed was brought from Vietnam to Canada and Eastern Europe in the mid-80s of the last century. Over time, the fashion for breeding these pigs has spread to many countries: America, France, Hungary, Poland and other countries. The strongest breeding work is currently underway in Hungary and Canada. In these countries, breeders are trying to make the breed even more productive for breeding by increasing the size of the animal and the percentage of its muscle mass. In Belarus this breed has become widespread relatively recently, livestock breeders are just beginning to master the breeding of these attractive pigs.

Features of this breed

Pigs of the Vietnamese breed are distinguished by some features that must be considered when breeding them. Many of them are the trends behind the rapid spread of the fashion for keeping pigs.

One of the main features of the breed is the rapid maturation of animals. Already at 4 months, females become sexually mature, and boars are ready for breeding at 6 months. Moreover, caring for newborn piglets is not difficult, since the sow does not interfere with him and behaves quite friendly. She herself takes care of the offspring, having a developed maternal instinct.

Another feature of Vietnamese pigs is good immunity, they perfectly tolerate both hot climates and cold winters. These animals are only afraid of drafts, which are especially detrimental to small piglets.

Appearance of Vietnamese pigs

The bellied Vietnamese pig got its name because of the large hanging belly, which is especially striking because of the short legs.

Pigs can be white or black. There are individuals of a marble color that combines both of these shades. Because of the short legs, the belly of the pigs practically touches the ground. Their back is slightly concave, on the head are small ears. The stigmas resemble an accordion due to the large number of folds. Outwardly, the snout of these pigs is somewhat similar to the muzzle of a pug due to the large number of bends.

One of the differences is short legs

Pigs are able to grow and gain weight for the first five years, although this process gradually becomes progressively slower. The weight of Vietnamese pigs that have reached the year is about 80 kg. In the livestock market, individuals weighing about 100 kg are most often represented.

Breeding Vietnamese pigs

Vietnamese bellied pigs gained their popularity due to the following advantages:

• Low food costs
• The possibility of almost year-round (depending on the place of breeding) free range, since pigs perfectly tolerate low temperatures during the winter;
• They have tender meat with little fat and no veins. The low cholesterol content in the product makes it possible to eat it for people with vascular diseases;
• Compact dimensions that allow you to keep several individuals at once in one not too big machine;
• The animals are very clean, free from the specific smell inherent in almost all pigs of other breeds;
• Immunity resistant to diseases and temperature extremes;
• Early sexual maturity makes it possible to get the first offspring from a pig that has reached only 7-9 months. At the same time, animals that live for about 30 years are capable of farrowing throughout their lives. In addition, Vietnamese breed pigs are incredibly prolific, they bring from 12 to 20 piglets at a time;
• Calm and kind. They let the owner to the piglets, do not break the enclosures, they have the ability to train.

Vietnamese pigs have strong immunity

How to choose a pig breed?

All the advantages of this breed will be real only when choosing healthy individuals capable of producing offspring in the future. There is sometimes a Vietnamese bellied pig, reviews of which are not very good. As a rule, such animals weigh about 40-60 kg by the year, and the farm owner cannot even get offspring from a female for 10 months. This result is most often due wrong choice piglets. To buy an animal suitable for breeding, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• If the breeder has several sows and one boar on the farm, then it is better not to buy piglets in this place. Such animals will certainly be relatives from which it is impossible to obtain healthy offspring.
• In order to make sure that the age of the piglet indicated by the seller and its real value, you can ask to see the sow that gave birth to the animal. If the piglet is only a month old, then the pig should have sagging milk lobes, it should look thinner. Otherwise, the piglet is older than the seller says, or there is another sow in front of the buyer.
• You need to find out the weight with which the piglet was born. It is better if the seller also tells the growth dynamics of the animal at intervals of 10 days from the moment of birth.
• You can also determine a healthy animal by its appearance. Piglets should have well-developed muscles. Legs in healthy individuals are strong, widely spaced. external sign belonging to the breed is a kind of stigma, which has numerous bends of the nasal bones.
  If a piglet has a long head, a spindle-shaped body and legs in the shape of the letter "X", then such an individual is sick. In addition, these signs may indicate degeneration resulting from the birth of a piglet from relative parents.
  A healthy piglet is distinguished by a knocked down dense physique, even coat, shiny eyes. Such an animal is active, has a good appetite. About good mood The piglet is evidenced by waving its thin tail from side to side. Color doesn't matter. It is predominantly black, but even in one litter there can be piglets of both white and mixed color.
• You can not buy piglets that appeared from the same litter.
• Having decided on the piglet, you need to ask about the food that the previous owner used. The transition to another diet should not be abrupt, otherwise the animal may get sick.
• If the litter has more than 12 piglets, then such animals may be weak. The choice must be taken very carefully.

Selection of a place for keeping pigs

Keeping Vietnamese pigs does not require much trouble. Due to their relatively compact size, the animals do not require a very large pigsty. It is best to make it out of brick, and make the floor concrete. So that in the cold season the pigs do not freeze on the stone floor, about 2/3 of the pigsty should be covered with wooden scaffolding. This area will be a kind of sleeping place for animals. The rest of the space will serve as a place for feeding and a toilet. The bellied Vietnamese pig is a clean animal, so you don’t have to worry that manure will be scattered throughout the pigsty. In addition, the animals do not dig the floor, which also simplifies the life of their owner.

Vietnamese pig is unpretentious in maintenance

One pen with a size of about 4.5 m 2 can accommodate two adult pigs, one sow with piglets or a boar. When planning internal device a pigsty between the machines, you need to leave a passage sufficient for the passage of a cart, with which it will be possible to remove manure. The ventilation system must be well organized in the room. The lack of fresh air and the cluttering of the pigsty will adversely affect the health of the animals.

Despite the fact that the breeding of Vietnamese bellied pigs is possible even at low temperatures, which they calmly endure, you still need to worry about heating the pigsty for the winter. For the sow and newborn piglets, the cold can be devastating. In order for the offspring to be healthy, grow well and recover, it needs a temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius. Heating of the room can be carried out by gas convectors, a Russian stove, and other heating methods.

How to prepare walking for pigs?

Daily exposure to fresh air in warm weather provides pigs with strong immunity and a good mood. Less sick and well put on weight regularly walking Vietnamese bellied pigs. Keeping exclusively in captivity will result in breeding weak and sick animals.

On a paddock site, if trees do not grow there, you need to dig a few logs into the ground. Pigs love to rub against them. A light canopy that protects animals from rain and the scorching sun will not interfere on the site.

Pigs of this breed, who are very fond of swimming in the mud, will be given great pleasure, a kind of pool. Its role can be played by a small depression in the ground measuring 2 by 2 meters. The pit must be periodically filled with fresh water. In such a pool, pigs can get rid of annoying insects, as well as cool off in hot summer weather.

Feeding Vietnamese pigs

Proper diet is the key not only to the growth of a healthy animal and a good weight gain, but also to obtaining high-quality lean meat, which distinguishes Vietnamese bellied pigs. Feeding animals depends on the special structure of their digestive system. A small stomach and a small intestinal diameter, the rapid movement of food through the digestive tract make the use of coarse feed undesirable. The standard treat of ordinary pigs, such as fodder beets, straw, for the Vietnamese breed will not bring any benefit. Well digested in the gastrointestinal tract of these pigs is the young hay of grasses of the legume family - alfalfa, clover.

A good option- compound feed prepared in the form of thick dense porridge. Such food lingers in the mouth for a long time; Vietnamese pigs chew it thoroughly. Feeding food of this consistency contributes to the release of a large amount of saliva, under the influence of which starch turns into sugar. This simplifies the process of digestion.

Feeding pigs is an important part of their maintenance

In order for food to be assimilated as best as possible, preference should be given to ground grain. Whole grain feeds mostly pass through the pig's digestive tract unchanged, without being digested.

The basis of compound feed is barley and wheat. Oats, peas and corn are also added to it. The latter should not be more than 10%, since this cereal causes obesity in pigs. If you add too much corn to the feed, then it will be almost impossible to get tender bacon meat.

Vitamin supplements have a good effect on the health of pigs. Piglets can be given fish oil, eggs, milk, and vitamins are added to the bucket of feed for sows. In its raw form, so that vitamins do not break down, you can give animals zucchini, carrots, pumpkins. If vegetables are still cooked, they should be cooked immediately before feeding.

Farrow

The main condition for the appearance of healthy offspring is the absence of family ties between the sow and the boar. Otherwise, the appearance of piglets with deformities, weak and sick is possible. In the future, such animals gain weight very poorly, often they cannot have their own offspring.

The bellied Vietnamese pig reaches puberty by the age of 4 months, the boar - a little later. You can determine that you can start mating by the state of the pig. She becomes restless, the genital loop swells. When pressing on the croup, the animal freezes in one place. If all these signs are visible, the pig can be placed with a boar for one day. The first farrowing of Vietnamese pigs is about 5 piglets, then up to 20 animals are born, most often about 12.

The pregnancy of a pig lasts from 114 to 118 days. A few days before giving birth, the animal begins to worry, to equip the nest, carefully crushing the hay. If colostrum appeared from the nipples, then the appearance of piglets will occur within a day. For farrowing, you need to carefully prepare. In the machine you need to clean up well, leaving only hay and a bowl of clean water. Separately, you need to equip a corner for newborn piglets. It should be warm in this place, in the first hours of life the temperature will be about 30 degrees.

The first farrowing is about five piglets

If necessary, the airways of piglets are cleared of mucus, then placed in a prepared place to dry. It is important to ensure that in the first hour of its life each piglet receives required amount colostrum. It contains a large number of nutrients, which are very lacking in newborn offspring.

Piglets at first feed exclusively on milk, which meets their needs for almost all nutrients. The exception is iron. To prevent anemia in offspring, piglets can be given injections of special drugs.

On average, by 10 days of life, a piglet reaches a weight of 1 kg, by 20 days - 1.5-2 kg. By a month, a piglet with a birth weight of 400-450 g should weigh at least 2.5-3 kg.

For a good weight gain, week-old piglets can begin to introduce complementary foods. It can be chalk, charcoal, other substances containing calcium, phosphorus. 10 days after birth, animals are given clean water. Two-week-old piglets can begin to feed thick porridge. A month after giving birth, the amount of milk in the sow is reduced, by this time the babies should learn to chew food on their own. In the same period, it is necessary to begin the gradual weaning of piglets from the mother.

Summarizing

Breeding pigs of this breed is a promising investment. Vietnamese bellied pigs, whose adult price is about 8,000 rubles, are very unpretentious, do not require expensive feed and special care. The decisive factor for profitable breeding is right choice piglets, the cost of which is about 3000 rubles.

The meat of pigs of this breed is very tender and tasty. It appeared on the market recently, but has already earned the trust of consumers. The meat of medium-sized individuals weighing up to 40 kg has especially good taste, although carcasses weighing about 100 kg enter the market.

Vietnamese pig piglets

The meat of Vietnamese bellied pigs contains little cholesterol, retains most of the nutrients in any method of heat treatment.

In order for animals to grow well, gain weight and bring healthy offspring, you need to follow the recommendations for keeping and feeding animals. Then breeding pigs of this breed will become a really profitable business.