Middle White Pig

What is a Middle White pig?

A Middle White pig is a British breed of domestic pig that came close to extinction.

Although its population has recovered somewhat, it is still listed as “priority”, the highest level of risk by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Characteristics

The Middle White is easy to spot in a group. It is one of the most unique white pigs because of its short nose, which some people say looks like it has hit a wall.

Physical Characteristics

Color

This pig is white across its entire body. Its name reflects its overall color.

Head, Face, and Eyes

The head is moderately short, giving it a compact and balanced appearance.

Its face is gently dished, creating a slight curve that adds to its distinctive charm. The snout is broad, complementing the pig’s overall robust look, while the jaw is straight, contributing to a clean and symmetrical profile. The jowl is light, ensuring the face does not appear heavy or bulky.

The eyes of the Middle White are set well apart, providing a sense of alertness and intelligence. This wide spacing aligns harmoniously with the broad distance between its ears.

Ears

The ears themselves are fairly large, inclined forward and outward, and covered with fine hair.

Neck and Shoulders

The neck is fairly light, medium in length, and fits evenly with the shoulders.

The shoulders are fine, sloping, and well-aligned with the legs and sides, without any roughness.

Legs

The legs are straight and fairly short, set well apart. They have fine, flat bones, with short, springy pasterns. The pig stands well on its toes and moves easily.

Back and Belly

The back is long and straight, reaching to the base of the tail, with well-curved ribs.

The belly is thick with a straight underside, having at least twelve (ideally fourteen) strong, evenly spaced teats that start well forward.

Tail

The tail is set high without any dip at the base. It is moderately long, not thick, and ends with a tassel of fine hair.

Size

This pig is of medium size.

It is not as large as some breeds like the Large White but is also not small, making it a balanced and moderate-sized pig.

It can also grow to an impressive height and length.

A mature male (boar) can reach an average height of 35 inches (90 cm) and a length of 70 inches (178 cm), while a mature female (sow) averages a height of 31 inches (80 cm) and a length of 65 inches (165 cm).

Lifespan

The lifespan of this pig breed typically ranges from 9 to 15 years.

The exact age it can reach depends on various factors, such as diet, living conditions, health care, and overall management.

Growth Rate

How fast do these pigs grow?

Middle White pigs are medium to fast-growing animals.

On average, they can grow to around 132-134 lbs (60–61 kg) in just 16 to 17 weeks, demonstrating their efficient growth rate.

Their piglets also grow quickly, making them a practical choice for farming.

Diet and health play a crucial role in their growth.

Weight

At maturity, a Middle White boar can reach a maximum weight of around 606–617 lbs (275–280 kg), while a mature female (sow) typically weighs between 496–507 lbs (225–230 kg).

Slaughtered Time

The Middle White pig matures early and can be slaughtered at different stages depending on its intended use.

It is usually slaughtered at three to four months old, weighing around 143–154 lbs (65–70 kg).

If allowed to grow beyond this weight, it is more likely to develop fat rather than lean meat.

At this stage, the pig provides more lean meat, as taking it beyond this weight may result in higher fat content.

Alternatively, it can be slaughtered at a smaller size, weighing 22–31 lbs (10–14 kg), to be sold as a suckling pig.

The carcass yield is high, with bones and offal being fairly light, making it an efficient choice for meat production.

Temperament and Behaviour

This pig has a calm and friendly temperament, making it a great choice for families and small-scale keepers. They are notably docile, which means they are easy to manage and can even be walked by children.

They are not typically aggressive, even as adults, though like any animal, they may become protective of their young when nursing. Middle White pigs are highly social and can live peacefully with other animals, provided they have enough space to roam.

These pigs enjoy rooting and foraging, displaying natural pig behaviors that keep them active and happy. They may squeal or grunt when excited or looking for food, but their sounds are generally a part of their communication rather than aggression.

This pig, although it loves to root, is not overly destructive and is considered one of the least destructive breeds.

The breed is also known for its exceptional mothering abilities; sows are attentive and can breed up to eight years of age, which adds to their value for conservation and farming efforts.

Meat

This pork is well-known for its excellent quality and rich flavor.

Most of the meat comes from the back end, so breeders must focus on proper growth and depth in this area to ensure a good yield.

The meat is tender, juicy, and full of flavor, making it a favorite for both home cooks and professional chefs. It has a strong reputation for high-quality cuts, with a good balance of fat and lean meat that enhances taste without being overly fatty.

This pork is especially popular in gourmet markets and has gained recognition worldwide, including in Japan, where it is highly valued and called “Middle Yorks.” In addition to regular cuts, these pigs are also used for suckling pigs, which are prized for their mild flavor and soft texture.

Raising

Raising this pig breed is manageable, even for beginners, due to its calm temperament and easygoing nature.

Feeding

Generally, these pigs feed themselves by grazing for hours.

However, grazing alone is not enough to meet their nutritional needs, especially for growing piglets, sows, and boars. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement their diet with high-quality feed to ensure proper growth and health.

A balanced feeding regime often includes pig pellets, grains, vegetables, and sometimes soaked bread or milk for piglets that are slow to adapt to creep feed.

Piglets may take longer than usual to start eating creep feed, often requiring up to two weeks to adjust. During this period, you can use alternatives like chopped bread soaked in milk to encourage feeding.

Environment

They do well in outdoor settings where they have access to pasture and can graze.

Even though they can adapt to various environments, they thrive best in conditions that allow them to express their natural behaviors.

Climate

The Middle White pig is well-suited to temperate climates, where the weather is neither too extreme nor too harsh.

They thrive in mild climates where temperatures are comfortable year-round and can also tolerate cooler weather if they have proper shelter, dry bedding, and wind protection.

Extreme heat or cold can cause stress or health issues.

Shelter

This pig breed needs shelter to ensure their comfort, health, and well-being.

Their light skin makes them prone to sunburn, so shade is essential in hot weather, while in colder conditions, a shelter provides warmth and protection from rain, wind, and frost.

Shelters also offer a clean, dry space for resting, reduce exposure to parasites and injuries, and create a safe environment for sows during birthing and nursing.

How many pigs per acre?

You can raise about 7–9 pigs per acre if using a rotational grazing system that allows areas to recover between uses.

Middle Whites are less destructive but still require space for rooting and foraging.

If pigs are kept on permanent pasture, the number may be lower, around 4–6 pigs per acre, to avoid soil degradation and maintain healthy grazing conditions.

Breeding

These pigs are easy to breed.

Breeding is typically done naturally with a boar and a sow, and it is recommended to start breeding sows when they are around 8–10 months old, depending on their size and health. Boars can also be used for breeding from a similar age once they reach maturity.

The gestation period for a Middle White sow is approximately 114 days (around 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days).

A typical litter size consists of 8 to 10 piglets, although this can vary slightly depending on the sow.

The sows are exceptional mothers, being calm, attentive, and highly self-sufficient. They rarely require assistance during farrowing (giving birth) and are very capable of caring for their piglets independently, which is ideal for beginner breeders.

A healthy sow can produce up to 10 litters in her breeding life, making her both productive and reliable.

To ensure successful breeding and farrowing, it’s essential to provide a clean and comfortable environment. Fresh, clean straw should be spread in a thin layer as bedding, and the sow should be kept in a safe, stress-free space.

Health issues

This breed is a hardy and robust one, but it has some health considerations that you should know about.

Why should you raise these pigs?

Personal use

This pig is an excellent choice for small farmers or homesteaders who want to raise their meat right in their backyard. This breed is easy to care for and doesn’t require a lot of time or effort. As long as they have access to fresh water at all times, supplemental feed, and a safe, clean living space, they thrive with minimal input.

These pigs are perfect for beginners because they don’t require prior experience to raise successfully. They are calm, docile, and non-aggressive, making them easy to handle and ideal for a family setting. Their laid-back nature also means they are great for those with limited time to dedicate to their care.

They are not only practical but also rewarding, providing high-quality meat for those who enjoy producing their food. Their ease of care and gentle temperament make them a perfect fit for anyone looking to raise pigs at home.

These pigs are not ideal for large-scale industrial farming businesses.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages	Disadvantages
Gentle and docile nature	Vulnerable to sunburn due to light skin
Easy to manage, even for beginners	Limited availability of breeding stock
Hardy and disease-resistant	Requires supplemental feeding despite grazing
Reasonably fast-maturing	Prone to gaining fat if overfed
Manageable size for small farms	Not ideal for large-scale industrial farming
Wonderful meat quality with high demand in niche markets	Needs shade or wallow to prevent sunburn
Straightforward to breed with excellent mothering sows	Dependent on proper marketing for profitability
In real need of support, contributing to conservation efforts	May require more space for natural behaviors like grazing and rooting

History and Origins

The Middle White pig began in Yorkshire, England, in the 19th century.

It was created in the 1850s by crossing the Large White pig, known for its size and strength, with the smaller White Small pig, prized for its flavorful meat.

This new breed was medium-sized and produced high-quality pork, ideal for fresh meat rather than bacon or lard.

Officially recognized in 1852, the Middle White became popular for its tender meat and perfect fat-to-meat ratio.

It earned the nickname “the London Porker” because of its demand in London markets and restaurants.

Although its numbers declined after World War II due to changing farming practices, dedicated breeders helped preserve the breed.

Today, the Middle White pig is valued as a heritage breed, known for its historical importance and excellent pork quality.

It remains a part of England’s farming history, raised by enthusiasts and small-scale farmers.