Husum Red Pied Pig

The Husum Red Pied is a rare pig breed that has existed since the late 19th century.

Its name comes from the town of Husum, located on the coast of Nordfriesland in northern Schleswig-Holstein. It is also known as Rotbunte Husumer or Deutsches Sattelschwein – Abteilung Rotbuntes Husumer Schwein, meaning “German Saddleback Pig – Red Pied Husumer section.”

This pig breed is considered Danish because, at that time, the border between Denmark and Prussia was not fully defined. But that changed after 1848 when Prussia took over the territories and banned Danish farmers from raising the Danish flag in the region.

A legend says that Danish farmers created this pig specifically to have a white stripe that resembled the Nordic cross on the flag, while others believe it is just a variation of another breed called the Angeln Saddleback.

This pig breed was officially recognized in 1954, and for several years, it was thought to be extinct until 1968, when they reappeared at a show in Rendsburg.

Today, there are fewer than 140 specimens in the world, with most being raised in specialized facilities such as the Berlin Zoological Garden, the Hanover Zoo, the Dortmund Zoo, the Tierpark Krüzen, the Tierpark Arche Warder near Kiel, the ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen, Dalmsdorf (Mecklenburg), Hof Lütjensee, and the Archehof Blumencron.

Color

This pig has a distinct red and white color pattern.

Its body is mostly reddish-brown, with a broad white belt that wraps around its shoulders and front legs, similar to the markings of a Saddleback pig.

Its ears are usually floppy and may have darker shading, while the snout and legs tend to be a lighter shade of red or pinkish.

Head, Face, Ears

The head is medium-sized with an elongated snout and large, forward-facing ears. The eyes are small and dark, while the face is broad and well-proportioned, featuring a strong jaw and a slightly rounded forehead.

Body

This pig breed has a strong and well-proportioned body. Its back is long with a slight arch that adds to its sturdy build. The shoulders are broad and muscular. The neck is medium in length, thick, and well-attached. The underline is mostly straight with a moderate depth.

Legs

The legs of this pig are of medium length, strong, and well-built. The front legs are sturdy and set wide apart. The hind legs are muscular and well-angled. The hooves are firm and well-formed.

Size

The Husum Red Pied pig is a medium to large-sized breed.

Males are generally larger and more muscular, reaching a height of around 36 inches (92 cm), while females have a height ranging from 31 to 33 inches (80 to 85 cm).

Lifespan

This pig can live for 10 to 15 years, but if raised in captivity, it can live even longer.

Weight

Males can reach a weight of 770 lbs (350 kg), while females can grow up to 660 lbs (300 kg).

Growth Rate and Slaughtered Time

Since there are very few of these pigs in the world and they are raised in controlled environments, there is not much information about their growth rate.

Based on their size and build, they probably grow at a moderate to slow rate compared to commercial pig breeds. This breed was mainly raised on small farms and in conservation programs, not for fast meat production, so it does not grow as quickly as modern pigs.

For comparison, many traditional pig breeds take 10 to 12 months to reach full size, while commercial pigs grow faster and reach market weight in 5 to 7 months. Since the Husum Red Pied pig is larger, it likely takes over a year to reach its full weight and is usually ready for slaughter between 12 to 18 months, similar to other heritage pig breeds.

Temperament

This pig breed has a gentle and social nature. It is calm, enjoys being with other pigs, and is easy to handle. It is also playful and active, always exploring its area. Since they love to root, they need plenty of space to dig.

Raising

Feeding

This pig is an omnivore, and like other pig breeds, it needs a balanced diet rich in forages such as fresh grass, hay, and silage. It also eats grains like corn, wheat, barley, and oats, as well as vegetables and fruits such as apples, carrots, and pumpkins.

Environment, Climate, and Shelter

The Husum Red Pied pig is currently raised in temperate climates, mainly in Germany and northern Europe.

It does well in cool to mild temperatures and can adapt to outdoor farming in regions with moderate rainfall and seasonal changes.

Since it is a hardy breed, it can tolerate colder weather, but it still needs proper shelter during harsh winters.

Most of these pigs are kept in conservation farms, zoos, and specialized breeding programs, where they are provided with a controlled environment to ensure their well-being.

Breeding

The Husum Red Pied pig has no breeding issues and reproduces naturally. When a sow is in heat, a boar is introduced, and natural mating occurs.

These pigs reach maturity at 8 to 9 months of age, but females give birth for the first time at around 12 to 13 months.

Reasons for Their Near Extinction

These pigs are almost extinct because they never had the chance to become popular outside their region, partly due to war and other circumstances.

Also, since farmers wanted pigs that produce leaner meat faster, they often crossbred or replaced them. This also happened to the Husum Red Pied, leaving behind a very small purebred population for future breeding.

In addition, conservation efforts started too late. With very few pigs left, their genetic diversity is low, making it even harder to increase their numbers naturally.

Advantages

• Good carcass size
• Natural breeders
• Decent litter size
• Great temperament
• Good mothering ability
• Moderate growth rate

Disadvantages

• Low population
• Genetic diversity is low