What are Meishan pigs good for?
The Meishan is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, domesticated breed of pigs in the world and is part of the Taihu group of Chinese pigs, named after the lake in China’s Jiangsu province. Taihu pigs are prized in China and Japan for their succulent marbled meat and superior lard and fat quality.
How was the Meishan Pig developed?
Chinese Meishan pigs are one of the oldest breeds of livestock pig. They originate from the Taihu region of China where pigs have been domesticated for over 5000 years. Today however the population levels of the Meishan Pig have become critically low. This has put the breed perilously close to possible extinction.
What do Meishan pigs eat?
Social media “experts”, popular magazines on newsstands , many “breeders” and even some breed registries are constantly extolling the use of hay, and spent brewers/distillers grains as staples in a pigs diet. Especially pasture raised pigs. The attraction is low cost (often free in the case of spent grains).
How much does a Meishan Pig weight?
350 to 400 pounds
These smallish, grey-colored pigs reach a mature weight of 350 to 400 pounds by about 3 years of age. Perhaps the most well-known value of the Meishan is its prolificacy: Sows can produce enormous litters of more than 20 piglets.
How big do Meishan pigs get?
275-400 lbs
The Meishan (Chinese: 梅山猪) is a breed of domestic pig named for the Meishan, Jiangsu Province, China. It is a sub-group of the Taihu pig and is a small to medium-sized (275-400 lbs) breed with large drooping ears, and wrinkled black skin.
Are Meishan pigs good eating?
The Meishan is a lard carcass hog with intensely micro-marbled red meat. It is extremely flavorful and tender.
Where do Meishan pigs live?
In 1989, a total of 144 pigs from these breeds were shipped to the United States. Of the 144 pigs, 99 were Meishan pigs. The Meishan pigs imported were equally divided between the USDA, the University of Illinois, and Iowa State University. Meishan pigs come from the region of lakes and valleys in China.
How tall do Meishan pigs get?
about 57.8 cm high
The Meishan breed is known for its wrinkled face and skin. Sows grow to be about 57.8 cm high, 100 cm around the chest, and 61.6 kg in live-weight. They have a backfat thickness of 2.5 cm and a dressing percentage of 66.8%. Meishan pigs are perhaps one of the most prolific breeds of pig in the world.
How do you pronounce Meishan pig?
Meishan, pronounced “May Shan”. Named for the Chinese prefecture of Meishan a region of lakes and valleys in China. They are part of a sub-group of pigs called Taihu pigs.
How many litters does a Meishan Pig have?
The breed is probably one of the most prolific breeds of pig in the world and reach puberty at 2.5 to 3 months of age. It achieve high embryo survival rates and it’s litter is of large size of 15-16 piglets. It is also quite common to produce two litters per year. However, review full breed profile of the Meishan pig in the chart below.
What are Meishan pigs known for?
The Meishan breed is known for its wrinkled face and skin. Sows grow to be about 57.8 cm high, 100 cm around the chest, and 61.6 kg in live-weight. They have a backfat thickness of 2.5 cm and a dressing percentage of 66.8%. Meishan pigs are perhaps one of the most prolific breeds of pig in the world.
What does a Meishan Pig look like?
The Meishan pig is a small to medium sized breed of domestic pig. It is mainly black in color and has large drooping ears. But it is known for it’s wrinkled face and skin. The mature Meishan pigs height around 57.8 cm.