Poland China Pig

The Poland China is a domestic pig breed and one of the oldest American pig breeds.

This breed was developed around 1816 by John Wallace in Warren County, Ohio, USA, through crossbreeding various European breeds, including Berkshire, Irish Grazier, and Hampshire.

Since many different breeds were used to create this one, it’s unclear which contributed the most.

The name Poland China was officially chosen in 1872 at the National Swine Breeders Convention in Indianapolis. Later, in 1878, a herd book was started.

The breed became very popular in the U.S. by the late 1800s, but numbers declined in the 1900s as demand for lard decreased. By 1990, there were about 18,000 registered Poland China pigs, and by 2018, the number had dropped to 12,300.

These pigs were not widely exported outside the U.S. Some were sent to China, but they struggled with the climate and were not used for meat production. Instead, they were valued mainly for fertilizer production.

Characteristics

Color

This pig’s color is black with six white points on its nose, legs, and tail, unless the tail is docked. Some pigs may have a small amount of white extending from the legs or a white mark on the ear. Also, a small white mark on the body is allowed, but the pig cannot have a full belt of white around the shoulders.

At least three legs should be white, and the hair and skin can be coarse or thin, with shades ranging from deep black to a lighter, ashy tone.

The pig should never have a solid black or white face, or red or sandy hair.

Body

The Poland China pig has a large frame and a long body, with heavy muscles and thick hams. It has a deep chest, a wide back, and strong legs for good support. The head is average in size, with floppy ears and a gently curved nose. The skin is smooth, and the hair texture varies.

Keep in mind when identifying this pig that it should never have erect ears.

Size

This breed is large-sized, with an average wither height of 27.5 inches (70 cm) for males and 25.5 inches (65 cm) for females.

Lifespan

The lifespan of this pig is around 6 to 10 years. It is similar to that of the Berkshire but shorter than the Hampshire.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

This pig has a rapid growth rate, with an impressive average daily weight gain of 0.7 to 0.77 lbs (320 to 350 grams).

Among pig breeds, Poland China stands out for its fast growth and efficient weight gain, reaching a large size at any stage of development.

Weight

At maturity, a Poland China sow weighs about 529 lbs (240 kg), while a boar can reach 639 lbs (290 kg).

This breed also set a record in 1933 in Tennessee when a pig named Big Bill reached 2,552 lbs (1,158 kg) and measured about 9 ft (2.75 m) long. This record showed its ability to gain weight better than other pig breeds.

Slaughter Time

You can prepare to slaughter this pig at 5 to 6 months old.

At 6 months, they reach a weight of 250 lbs (113 kg) and have a good dressing percentage of 70 to 73%.

So, a 6-month-old Poland China pig can yield about 175 lbs (79.38 kg) to 182.5 lbs (82.78 kg) of meat.

Temperament

Their temperament is often described as calm and docile. They do well around people and are known to be gentle and not aggressive. Because of their lack of aggression, these pigs are a good fit for farmers of all experience levels.

You can raise them around other animals, as they are friendly and adapt quickly to different environments.

When it comes to behavior, they are less active than other pig breeds. These pigs love to eat and grow, spending only a short time roaming before they lie down and rest.

Because of their large size and heavy build, they move more slowly and are not as playful as smaller pigs.

Meat

Poland China pigs produce lean carcasses and large cuts due to their strong muscles and thick hams.

Their meat has a moderate amount of intramuscular fat, which is relatively low but still suitable for the U.S. market. The average fat ratio is 2.18%, falling within the 2–3% range preferred in U.S. pork production. Because of this, Poland China pork is leaner, which may give it a slightly firmer texture and a milder flavor compared to fattier breeds.

Also, this meat has low levels of both saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the loin muscle. In terms of taste, it is still flavorful, and some taste panel evaluations have rated it as intermediate for tenderness and juiciness.

Raising

Feeding

You need to offer these pigs a balanced diet that includes grains, forage, vegetables, and occasionally some kitchen scraps or fruits.

For grains, you can use corn, oats, and barley, while for forage, you can provide fresh grass or hay during colder months. If you want them to grow faster, avoid giving too much forage, as the fiber can slow down their growth rate.

You can also add vitamins and minerals to their diet to keep them healthy. Fresh water should always be available.

Environment, Climate, and Shelter

You can raise this breed of pig in any type of farming system, including free pasture, extensive, and even intensive operations. These pigs are very adaptable and do not have any issues with their environment.

The same goes for climate. They can adapt to different climates, but you need to provide good shelter to protect them from extreme weather conditions such as cold temperatures, heat, strong winds, snow, and storms. It is important to have a dry place where they can stay warm in colder weather and a shaded area to keep them cool in the heat.

It is also a good idea to surround their living area with an electric fence to ensure they stay in one place.

How many pigs per acre?

The number of Poland China pigs you can raise per acre depends on various factors, including forage availability, soil type, and management practices.

In general, you can raise 8 to 10 pigs per acre in moderate pasture conditions. If the pasture is rich, you can go up to 15 pigs per acre.

To successfully raise them, you need to monitor pasture conditions to prevent overgrazing.

Breeding

One of the first steps when deciding to breed these pigs is to choose the right female and male with good physical traits and temperament.

For breeding, you can use artificial insemination (AI) or natural mating. If you want specific genetic selection, AI gives you more control over the process. If you prefer a simpler approach, you can introduce the females to the boar and let them mate naturally.

The ideal age to start breeding them is around 10 to 12 months. They reach sexual maturity at 6 to 7 months, but it is better to let them mature longer, especially the gilt, before her first pregnancy.

The female’s cycle lasts 21 days, with heat lasting only 50 to 60 hours. Keep in mind that gilts (young females) have a shorter heat duration compared to sows.

A single mature boar can be used with 15 to 25 sows. If it is his first time mating, you should reduce the number for his first experience.

The gestation period for pigs is about 114 days or three months, three weeks, and three days. The litter size is usually 12 to 14 piglets per litter. Sows are good mothers and take care of their babies.

Terminal vs. Maternal

These pigs are a terminal sire breed and are often used in crossbreeding programs to improve growth rate and meat quality. One of the most common crossbreeds is between Poland China boars and Yorkshire or Landrace sows.

Health Issues

Poland China pigs are generally robust and do not have breed-specific health issues. They are susceptible to common swine diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, hog cholera, and transmissible gastroenteritis.

You can implement good management practices by maintaining proper hygiene, providing the right nutrition, regularly checking their health, and vaccinating them to easily prevent these diseases.

Advantages

• Fast growth rate
• Large size
• Good feed efficiency
• High-quality carcass
• Calm temperament
• Good reproductive performance

Disadvantages

• Lower intramuscular fat
• Limited maternal instincts. Sows are good mothers but may not be as nurturing as some other breeds.
• Large size requires more space
• Limited availability