The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is a breed that is gaining more and more popularity in Russia. Feeding and keeping such animals is relatively simple. But many farmers, of course, would like to learn and independently increase the number of such animals on the farm.
The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig has earned excellent reviews from farmers. These piglets practically do not stink (since they distinguish between "toilet" and "bedroom"), eat cheap feed and quickly gain weight. But in order for Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs to breed at all, they should, of course, create good living conditions.
The barn for these mobile, space-loving animals must have a height of at least 2.15 m. Design it in such a way that the area of the pen for each breeding boar is at least 3 m2. For a sow, this figure should be at least 4 m2. Walking should be done next to the barn.
To feed Vietnamese pigs, since their stomach is small, you need at least 3 times a day. Piglets of this breed of grass eat much more than usual. Actually, therefore, the breed is considered very profitable in breeding. However, when rearing pigs, they must also receive the required amount of concentrates and juicy feed. This is especially true for manufacturers. For 9 months, each animal should eat about 300 kg of grain. It is advisable to give plenty of root crops and vegetables.
When to mate
The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig belongs to the early maturing breed group. Regular piglets are ready to mate at about 5-6 months of age. In a pot-bellied pig, puberty occurs at 3-4 months. But it will likely be too early to mate at this time. It is believed that boars can only be admitted to the queens at the age of six months. Up to a year, as in breeding ordinary pigs, in this case it is not necessary to wait.
What rules should be followed
A lot of pigs on the farm is, of course, very good. But it is even better if the farm will raise highly productive and healthy Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. Breeding these animals is a responsible business. The farmer should be particularly careful when choosing producers. Only healthy and strong pigs and boars with good breed characteristics are suitable for mating. It is not allowed to bring closely related producers together when breeding pot-bellied pigs.
How to determine the readiness of the uterus for mating
Pigs, including Vietnamese, are polyester animals. That is, they have several sexual cycles during the year. Determining the presence of hunting in a Vietnamese uterus is not difficult. Pig ready for mating:
- becomes restless;
- changes habitual behavior (maybe, for example, refuse to eat);
Also, in hunting, the genital loop swells. Often farmers check the readiness of the uterus by simply pushing her croup. If the pig freezes at the same time, the boar can be allowed to approach it.
Vietnamese pot-bellied pig: pregnancy and preparation for childbirth
Piglets of the uterus of this breed, like almost any other, are carried for about 4 months - 114-118 days. All this time, the pig should receive the highest quality nutrition. You can determine the readiness of the uterus for childbirth by the following criteria:
- a few days before farrowing, the pig begins to equip the nest from straw;
- the day before giving birth, she has colostrum.
What to do during labor
As soon as signs of early farrowing are noticed, the farmer should thoroughly clean the queen's pen and put more straw in it. It should not be cold in the room in which childbirth will take place. If necessary, additional heaters should be installed in the pigsty.
It is advisable that the farmer or one of the staff be present at the farrowing itself. Each piglet that is born is cleared of the respiratory tract, wiped off and laid on the hay.
Newborn care
Newly born pot-bellied piglets feed exclusively on mother's milk. They begin to give water only on the tenth day. Small piglets can be fed complementary foods in the second week of life. It will be nice to diversify the diet of babies, for example, boiled cereals. It is also imperative to give the piglets charcoal and chalk. In a month, Vietnamese piglets should learn to chew their food well on their own. The fact is that by this time the amount of milk in the uterus is significantly reduced.
Is it possible to cross with other breeds
Many farmers breed Vietnamese pigs with local breeds. In some cases, this experience is successful. The piglets adopt the omnivorous nature of the southern parents and the size of the Russians. But more often than not, farmers are unhappy with such crossbreeding. The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig shows, according to many farm owners, better productivity results than hybrids. Non-purebred piglets born do not grow well and have a pungent odor than Vietnamese parents.
Apparently, in this case, everything depends on the characteristics of the second parental breed. It is believed that good results are obtained, for example, by crossing a Vietnamese pig with a mangalica. In this case, farmers are advised to take the mangalitsa dad and the Vietnamese uterus.
