What is a Large Black Pig?
The Large Black pig is a domestic breed that fought for survival since 1960, when it nearly went extinct. Today, it is listed as a critically endangered breed.
The Large Black Pig Breeders Club in the UK reports that the number of breeders increased from 114 in 2004 to 144 in 2007. In the U.S., there were about 300 breeding Large Black pigs as of 2008.
It is the only pig breed in Britain that is entirely black.
Characteristics
This pig’s traits, including its size, color, and features such as the length of its body, ears, and nose, make it unique and distinctive.
Physical Characteristics
Color
The color of this pig is solid black.
Coat
The coat of this pig is fine and soft, with a moderate amount of straight black silky hair.
Head, Face, and Ears
The head is a good size compared to the body, with a medium length and wide, smooth space between the ears.
The eyes are large, bright, and wide apart, perfectly aligned with where the ears meet the head. The face is slightly curved but almost straight. The nose is soft, with large, symmetrical nostrils.
The ears are placed wide apart, are evenly shaped, long, and hang over the face.
Neck and Shoulders
The neck is long, muscular, and smooth. The pig’s shoulders are wide, deep, and strong, with muscles extending down and lining up with the ribs.
Pigs with shoulders that stick out above the line of the back are not eligible for registration.
Chest and Back
The chest is big, wide, deep, and broad, while the back is long, straight, strong, firm, and smooth.
Sides and Ribs
The sides are long and moderately deep. The ribs are well-shaped, strong, and match the width of the shoulders and hindquarters
Loin and Hindquarters
Both the loin and hindquarters are strong and firm. The hindquarters are also well-muscled down to the hock.
Belly
The belly is straight, with at least twelve healthy, evenly spaced teats, starting from the front and properly placed.
Legs
The legs are well-placed under the hog, straight and strong, with a gentle taper. The pasterns are strong, and the feet are firm and tough. The toes are even, straight, and the same size.
Teats
The pig has at least 12 functional teats.
Tail
The tail is thick and positioned moderately high.
Disqualifications include not being black or having white spots on the body, having badly deformed or broken legs, low pasterns, extra toes, or overly bent hocks. The pig must be free from birth defects such as hernias, blind anus, undescended testicles in boars, or being a hermaphrodite.
Size
This pig has a large size, with a height of 30-36 inches (76-91 cm) and a length of 60-80 inches (152-203 cm). Females are slightly smaller than males.
Lifespan
These pigs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, which is impressive for a pig of this size. Their lifespan also depends on how well they are cared for.
Growth Rate
How fast do they grow?
This pig breed has a moderate growth rate.
They grow faster than the Iberian pig, which grows very slowly, but not as quickly as commercial breeds like the Landrace or Yorkshire, which grow much faster.
They start off growing slowly, but their growth becomes more steady as they mature. With the right care and diet, they can gain weight steadily.
Weight
The adult male of this breed can reach a maximum weight of 750 lbs (340 kg), while an adult female can weigh around 650 lbs (295 kg).
Slaughtered Time
This pig can be slaughtered at around 8 to 10 months when it reaches a weight of 250 to 300 lbs (113 to 136 kg). The exact age for slaughter may vary slightly depending on factors such as diet, care, and genetics.
Once pigs reach over 300 lbs (136 kg), they start to accumulate mostly fat. Allowing them to grow too large results in too much waste.
Temperament and Behaviour
This pig is known for its calm and friendly nature, making it one of the most docile pig breeds. They are less adventurous than some other breeds and move slowly, likely due to their large ears that block their vision. Instead, they rely on their sense of smell and hearing to navigate.
When they hear someone approaching, they often freeze to assess if it’s a friend or a threat. Speaking softly when entering their space helps keep them calm.
Although initially shy, these pigs quickly become friendly and affectionate. They are not aggressive and usually don’t defend themselves from other animals. Both sows and boars can learn their names and may follow their owners like a dog. Mother sows are protective of their young but allow gentle handling, and even boars are generally docile, though they should be approached carefully during breeding age.
Large Black pigs are also excellent foragers, able to find much of their food from grazing. Their calm nature and strong foraging skills make them well-suited for farms that encourage natural feeding. Overall, they are easy to care for, and their temperament makes them easy to handle and contain with simple fencing.
Meat
Large Black pigs are known for their exceptional meat quality, which is highly valued in specialty markets and among artisanal producers. While they are intelligent and entertaining, their primary purpose is to produce top-tier pork. Raised with the right genetics, care, and proper processing, their meat stands out for its tenderness, juiciness, and distinctive flavor.
Their meat is darker in color compared to other pig breeds, contributing to its richer flavor and tenderness.
This breed’s slower growth rate results in more flavorful, well-marbled meat. The micro-marbling fat throughout their muscle keeps the pork moist and enhances the taste. Their low-stress temperament contributes to high-quality pork, as stress hormones can negatively impact flavor.
A study comparing Large Black pigs with cross-bred commercial pigs found that, while the latter grew faster, Large Blacks had superior meat quality. These pigs have higher intramuscular fat content and better marbling, enhancing flavor and tenderness. Genetic differences in muscle fiber composition also suggest that Large Blacks offer better flavor, making them a top choice for high-quality, flavorful pork.
Raising
Raising this heritage pig breed is not only relatively easy but also incredibly rewarding, knowing you’re helping preserve its existence for future generations.
Feeding
This breed was naturally bred for grazing, so it’s important to let them forage and graze freely.
Grazing on pasture is crucial for improving the quality of their pork.
They particularly enjoy legumes like clovers and young, tender grass. If your pasture starts to mature, mow it to promote fresh growth, as they won’t be able to eat it once it becomes too mature.
In addition to grazing, you should supplement their diet with forage. You can feed your pigs, especially the young ones, a pig grower formula with around 16% protein. Since the flavor of the meat depends on what the pigs eat, make sure the feed is free from chemicals or antibiotics. Check the label carefully and avoid “medicated” feed, as it contains additives.
When pigs are overfed or allowed to eat too much grain, they start producing more fat than meat.
They will start grazing early if provided with good pasture. By around three and a half months old, the piglets will begin grazing more, and you can start feeding them supplementary feed once a day in the evening for a short period.
Environment
These pigs develop well in open, free-range environments like pasture, as they do not do well in closed systems. The stress of confined spaces negatively impacts their well-being and affects the quality of their meat. Therefore, an open environment with low stress is the ideal setting for raising them.
Climate
Large Black pigs are hardy and can be raised in a range of climates. They do well in cooler temperatures but also grow in hotter, sunnier climates. Their black skin helps protect them from sunburn in sunny regions.
They can adapt to all climates as long as they have the right conditions, such as shade in hot climates, shelter, plenty of water, and proper nutrition.
Shelter
These pigs do require shelter.
While they are hardy and can tolerate colder temperatures due to their thick skin, they still need protection from harsh weather, such as intense cold, heavy rain, or high winds.
A simple shelter or a shaded area can help keep them comfortable and prevent stress. In warmer climates, providing access to shade is particularly important to protect them from overheating.
How many pigs per acre?
You can raise 2 to 6 pigs per acre.
The number of Large Black pigs you can raise per acre depends on several factors, including pasture quality, grazing methods, and the use of supplemental feed. If you use rotational grazing, where pigs are regularly moved to fresh sections of pasture, you can support a higher density while maintaining the land’s health.
For good practice, you can raise 2 to 3 pigs per acre if relying primarily on grazing. You can increase it to 4 to 6 if using rotational grazing and providing supplemental feed.
Keep a close eye on pasture conditions, as these pigs are natural grazers but also tend to root, which can lead to land damage if not managed effectively.
Breeding
Breeding these pigs requires careful planning, observation of the sow’s heat cycle, pairing her with a boar at the right time, and ensuring a stress-free environment.
These pigs reach sexual maturity at around 6 to 8 months of age, but it’s recommended to wait until they are 9 months old for their first breeding. This allows the sow’s body to be better prepared for giving birth.
Large Black pigs are highly fertile and known for producing large litters. Sows typically have litters of 8 to 12 piglets, though well-managed sows can occasionally produce even larger litters.
A Large Black sow holds a Guinness World Record for producing 26 litters between 1940 and 1952, the highest number of litters ever documented for a pig.
You can breed them year-round, but many farmers prefer to time breeding for mild weather conditions to ensure piglets are born in favorable temperatures—not too hot and not too cold.
A sow’s heat cycle repeats approximately every 21 days and lasts for 24 to 72 hours. Look for physical signs such as a swollen or reddened vulva and sticky vaginal discharge, as well as behavioral signs like increased vocalization (frequent grunting) and restlessness.
Once you identify that a sow is in heat, place her with a boar. Be sure to select a strong breeding pair with desirable traits of the Large Black pig breed. Allow them to stay together for 24–48 hours to ensure successful mating.
Sows are excellent mothers with strong maternal instincts. They are highly attentive, nurturing, and protective, which contributes to high piglet survival rates. Even with large litters, these hardy sows can successfully feed all their piglets. However, larger litters can cause the sow to lose significant weight during lactation. Fortunately, sows recover quickly once the piglets are weaned.
The sow may experience difficulties during farrowing. While Large Black sows are excellent mothers, larger litters can sometimes cause birthing difficulties or lead to piglets competing for limited teats. Monitor farrowing and provide proper nutrition to the sow before and after birth to support her and the piglets.
Health issues
Large Black pigs are generally hardy and resistant to many diseases, thanks to their robust genetics and adaptability. However, like any other animal, they can face certain health issues. Here are some that are specific to this breed:
- Heat Stress: Although their black skin offers better protection than lighter-skinned breeds, they can still suffer from heat stress or sunburn in extremely hot climates if adequate shade and water are not provided.
- Overgrown Hooves: If raised in a pasture environment with soft ground and insufficient natural wear, their hooves can overgrow.
- Obesity: These pigs tend to gain excess weight if overfed, which can lead to joint pain and reduced fertility.
- Farrowing Complications: Sows may occasionally experience difficulties during farrowing, particularly with larger litters.
Why should you raise these pigs?
Large Black pigs are ideal for homesteaders as well as small-scale farmers.
For homesteaders, these pigs offer high-quality, high-yield meat due to their size, with minimal maintenance. Even with limited time, you can raise your pigs and enjoy delicious pork while providing them with good pasture, shelter, and fresh water at all times. Their natural grazing abilities help keep feed costs low, as they don’t require much supplemental food. They can grow naturally without complex or intensive care.
Simultaneously, this pig breed is also suitable for business settings, as it allows you to focus on niche markets, premium pork, and sustainable farming practices.
They are best suited for small to medium-sized operations that prioritize quality and sustainability over rapid growth and scale. However, they are not ideal for larger commercial businesses due to their slower growth rates compared to more commercial breeds.
Similar to homesteaders, the cost of raising these pigs remains low if they are allowed to roam open pastures, where they can feed themselves.
With their excellent meat quality, Large Black pigs are highly sought after in niche markets, such as specialty butcher shops, high-end restaurants, and direct-to-consumer sales.
How much do they cost
The price of Large Black pigs can vary widely based on factors such as age, breeding status, and whether you are buying from a breeder or auction.
For breeding stock, prices generally range from $500 to $2,000.
The price difference depends on whether the pig is a mature boar, a bred sow, or a younger piglet ready for breeding.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Excellent Grazers: Perform well in pasture-based systems, reducing feed costs. | Rooting Behavior: Can damage pastures if not managed properly |
| Hardy and Adaptable: Thrive in various climates, including sunny and cooler environments. | Heat Sensitivity: Despite their black skin offering protection, they can still suffer from heat stress. |
| High Fertility: Sows produce large litters (8–12 piglets or more) | Obesity Risk: Prone to weight gain if overfed, which can affect health and fertility. |
| Long Breeding Lifespan: Sows remain fertile and productive for several years. | Not Ideal for Intensive Systems: Do poorly in confined or high-stress environments. |
| Low Maintenance: Require minimal intervention in outdoor systems when properly managed. | Slow Growth: They mature more slowly compared to commercial breeds. |
History and Origins
The Large Black pig was created by mixing black pigs from two areas in England: Devon and Cornwall in the southwest, and Essex, Suffolk, and Kent in the east. The pigs from the east were influenced by pigs brought from China in the late 1700s, while the pigs from the southwest were more similar to breeds from Europe, especially France.
In Devon, pigs were first chosen for their size and physical traits. Over time, breeding improved their strength and size, and by the 1850s, they became more solid and healthy. Some people think the breed’s black color may have come from African Guinea hogs or Neapolitan pigs.
In the late 1800s, this pig breed became more popular. A breed association was started in 1898, and by 1902, a trademark was registered. The first Herd Book, which listed the pigs, was published in 1899. It combined pigs from Devon, Cornwall, Essex, and nearby areas under the name “Large Black.”
These pigs were brought to the U.S. in the 1950s and again in the 1990s. A few breeders raised them for the special and unique flavor of the Large Black’s pork.
