Top 10 Essential Facts About Domestic Pigs

One of the key advantages of pig farming is the reproductive capabilities of pigs. Female pigs can give birth to two litters per year, with over 20 piglets in each. This reproductive rate is quite high compared to other livestock such as cattle and sheep. Mother pigs typically nurse their piglets for 3 to 5 weeks. Newborn piglets weigh about 1.1 kg and usually double in weight within a week. A fully grown pig can weigh between 140 to 300 kg (or more).

Plant-based food: Green food is a type of feed that contains 75-85% water. It includes fresh grasses like elephant grass, water grass, and others, as well as vegetables such as water hyacinth and water spinach, which are rich in iron and Vitamin A. Duckweed provides high protein, and Vitamin B1 and B6. Other plant-based foods like seaweed, sweet potato vines, and banana plants vary in nutritional content but are commonly used to feed pigs. Root vegetables are high in water, starch, and vitamins, with a pleasant taste and easy digestion, making them favorites for pigs. These include sweet potatoes, cassava, pumpkin, fresh corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

With a population of around one billion individuals at any given time, domestic pigs are among the most numerous mammals on Earth. They are descendants of wild boars, which are widely distributed across the globe. Various subspecies of wild boar are found in almost all climates of the Eurasian continent and islands, as well as Africa, from Ireland and India to Japan, and as far north as Siberia. Pigs isolated on islands such as those in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have evolved into distinct species, including wild boar, bearded pigs, and island feral pigs. Humans have introduced pigs to Australia, North America, South America, and many other islands. In 2020, the top 10 countries with the largest pig populations were the United States, China, Brazil, the EU, India, Russia, Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, Argentina, and Colombia. In Vietnam, pig farming is most concentrated in the Red River Delta and Mekong Delta regions.

In both developed and developing countries, domesticated pigs are typically raised either outdoors or in pens. In some areas, pigs are allowed to forage for food in the forest under the supervision of a caretaker. In industrialized nations, pig farming has shifted from traditional pen-based methods to large-scale industrial farming, reducing production costs while increasing output. Industrial pigs are highly efficient food converters with fast growth rates, shortening the time required to raise them and minimizing economic risks. A sow can produce 8 to 12 piglets per litter, with a gestation period of about 114 days, and with good care, can have two litters per year. The meat production is also impressive. A pig weighing 100 kg at slaughter will yield about 42 kg of meat, 30 kg of head, blood, and organs, and 28 kg of fat and bones.

Pigs at different stages of life can adapt to a wide variety of foods, although piglets have a more limited diet. Some breeds are able to thrive on low-quality, fibrous feed. These breeds play a key role in extensive farming systems, as seen in countries where green vegetables are used heavily, and small amounts of protein are added to their diet. This method reduces feed energy input while improving the productivity of sows. However, in modern farming systems, these advantages are no longer used. Commercial pigs are provided with a balanced, high-quality diet. A high-fiber, low-protein diet can hinder the growth process of pigs. While pigs will survive and grow under such conditions, their weight gain will be slower, and overall production efficiency will be lower.

Pigs are known for their remarkable adaptability, resilience, and intelligence. These traits allow them to thrive in various geographic conditions. Pigs are highly energetic and curious, often exploring new environments and seeking out different food sources. If necessary, they can be fiercely protective of their territory and defend themselves from predators. Pigs are also quick breeders, an important characteristic for forming new herds and ensuring the survival of the species in different environments. Their thick layer of subcutaneous fat helps them withstand cold temperatures, while in hotter climates, they increase respiration to regulate body temperature. Historically, pigs were raised in small-scale farming systems, where they were confined at night to protect against predators and allowed to roam freely during the day to forage for food. Although their growth rate was slower in such systems, pigs' resilience to disease and high survival rates made them a valuable asset. This ability to adapt and thrive with minimal care allowed farmers to focus on other tasks, boosting their overall productivity and improving their families' livelihoods.

Pigs play a crucial role in livestock farming, and Vietnam is known for its remarkable biodiversity, with numerous unique pig breeds found throughout the country. Below is a summary of some of the notable pig breeds in Vietnam:

• Móng Cái Pig: Originating from Móng Cái city in Quảng Ninh province, this breed is widely distributed across northern and central Vietnam, as well as the Central Highlands, making it the most populous indigenous breed.
• Ỉ Pig: A local breed from Nam Định province, predominantly raised in northern Vietnam. However, due to its low economic value, it is at risk of extinction and efforts are underway to preserve its purebred lineage.
• Mán Pig: Also known as the Black Pig, it originates from Hòa Bình province and is raised in areas like Kim Bôi, Đà Bắc, and Kỳ Sơn. It is one of the region’s key native breeds.
• Sóc Pig: Known as the Tây Nguyên or Êđê Pig, it is raised primarily by the ethnic groups in the Central Highlands such as the Êđê, Gia Rai, and Bana. Key provinces where this breed is found include Lâm Đồng, Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum.
• Cỏ Pig: Originating from central Vietnam, it is found along the Trường Sơn mountain range in provinces like Thừa Thiên Huế, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, and Quảng Nam.
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Pigs are domesticated animals originally descended from wild boars, raised primarily for meat production. Most domestic pigs have a thin layer of fur on their skin. It is commonly believed that domestic pigs are a subspecies of their wild ancestors, the wild boars. These wild ancestors began interacting with humans around 13,000 to 12,700 years ago. Some pigs that escape domestication return to the wild in certain regions, where they sometimes pose environmental threats as invasive species. Historically, pigs lived in herds and often inhabited forests. They would shelter in grasslands or marshes and dig their own burrows or use abandoned ones from other animals. Pigs are known for their fondness for wallowing in mud and are typically active at night. Their diet is diverse, including mushrooms, leaves, roots, fruits, snails, small vertebrates, eggs, and carrion. They use their muscles, flexible noses, and sturdy legs to root around and search for food.

Pigs, also known as 'hogs,' have poor eyesight but compensate with an exceptional sense of hearing. Their nostrils, located at the tip of their snout and covered with sensitive hairs, are vital tools they use for foraging food. These animals are found worldwide and provide humans with valuable products, including meat, fat, leather, fertilizer, and even various pharmaceuticals. In the United States, pigs are primarily raised for lean meat, with their fat used for cooking purposes. In the wild, pigs are omnivores and consume everything from leaves, roots, and fruits to small rodents and reptiles. In the U.S., pigs are typically fed corn, whereas in Europe, their diet mainly consists of barley. Some pig breeds have tusks, which help them dig and defend themselves. However, farmers often trim these tusks to prevent injuries to people and other pigs.

The behavior of pigs is a mix of ungulate traits and carnivorous instincts. A pig herd typically consists of 8 to 10 individuals. Due to the lack of sweat glands, pigs regulate their body temperature by self-cooling. Wallowing in mud is their method of cooling down, and they also use it as a natural sunscreen to protect against the sun's heat and to fend off parasites and harmful insects. Most pigs undergo a seasonal shedding of their coarse winter fur as the cold months pass, shedding it for lighter fur in preparation for the warmer spring or summer months. Domesticated pigs have a habit of eating for extended periods, followed by long naps. Pigs are among the most intelligent animals in the domesticated animal kingdom, even surpassing dogs in some cognitive abilities. Researchers at Penn State recently created a video game for pigs, and the pigs in the experiment were able to master the controls, showing clear enjoyment and engagement with the game. While chimpanzees have also participated in similar experiments, no other animals have been able to play games independently like pigs and chimpanzees have.