Yorkshire Pig Facts: Origin, Size, Physical Characteristics, Pros, and Cons

Large White Pigs (also known as Yorkshire Pigs) originate in Yorkshire, England. The breed is also known as the English Large White or Yorkshire. Large Yorkshires or Improved Large Yorkshires are the names given to the Large White breed of Great Britain in Canada and the United States. Great Britain is known for its large white pigs, the best bacon-producing breed. Unlike any other breed, they are more numerous in Canada and are being imported in large numbers into the United States.

Yorkshire Pig Facts

Where Did Yorkshire Pigs Come From, and What is Their History?

The white pig breed was developed in Britain during the 18th century.
In England, Robert Bakewell became fascinated with the Leicestershire pig breed, a local tribe of pigs.
It became very popular among the British when he bred this breed into a large and productive breed during the mid-18th century.
There are some, if not most, outstanding large white pigs from this area.
A Yorkshire breed was developed by crossbreeding large white pigs from north England with smaller, fatter white Chinese pigs.
Although it is still known worldwide as Yorkshire, the name later changed to English large White.

Types of Yorkshire Pig Breeds

The Large White Yorkshire

Developed for increased productivity and quality, this Yorkshire pig variety has been well cared for and carefully bred.
Only one large white pig breed developed well over time, gained relative importance, and gained popularity.

Middle White Yorkshire

Currently, these breeds are going extinct and are listed as a priority by the Rare Breed Survival Trust.
A high risk of breed extinction exists for these breeds.
A cross between the small White and the large White produced the middle Yorkshire.

Small White Yorkshire

There were small white pigs in the 19th century that are now extinct.
These pigs were used to produce a variety of breeds, including middle white pigs.
Currently, only large white pigs and Yorkshire pigs are popular, more durable than other breeds, and more productive and performance-oriented.

Physical Characteristics of Yorkshire Pigs

Pigs from the Yorkshire breed are large and tall. The Yorkshire Pig ranges in height from 84-91 cm and in length from 168-198 cm.
Compared to other pigs, they have heavily built bodies supported by long legs.
The Yorkshire pig breed appears big and white when viewed from a distance. When you look closer, you will notice that their skin is pink.
A Yorkshire pig has a slightly dished face, moderately long head, and jowl.
They tend to grow bigger head as they mature.
There is reasonable fat on their bodies, and their bodies look muscled.
Their bodies are large and lean, with well-formed bacon and lean meat.
The ears of Yorkshire pigs stand upright and erect.
The weight of a Yorkshire boar can range from 250 to 350 kilograms when fed a proper diet.
Approximately 200 kg – 300 kg is the weight of a Yorkshire sow.
·They have medium-sized snouts that are sensitive and has a small nose.
They have muzzles that end in rounded cartilages used for sniffing and digging for food.
In general, pigs have the same dentition as other omnivores.
In the teeth arrangement, the molars are at the back, followed by the premolars, canines, and incisors.
When Yorkshires are growing, their tusks are not visible.
They have small canines, even relatively small in boars.
Pigs with large cloven hooves have a divided hoof.
These hooves are connected to strong legs that support their body weight.
There is a small curly tail behind the body of a Yorkshire terrier.
Typically, Yorkshire pigs have 10 to 12 piglets in a litter, slightly more than average.

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Advantages of Yorkshire Pigs Farming

The Yorkshire pig has excellent maternal instincts and is a good mother. The good maternal instincts they possess help them raise their piglets to wean.
In addition to litter size, suitable rebreeding interval, weaning weight, and excellent birth size, Yorkshire pigs are the mother breeds. Their large litter requires excellent milk production. At one time, they have about 10-12 liters.
Large white pigs are crossbred with other varieties of pigs because they have many desirable traits.
Its thick skin makes it a very durable breed of pig. Because of this, they can adapt easily to different climates around the globe.
The Yorkshire pig is an intelligent breed and very friendly toward its owners. Additionally, they are obedient and interactive social animals that always listen to instructions.
Generally, these pigs are good foragers and can be fed almost anything. They consume nutritious pig foods, grass, edible kitchen waste, insects and worms, and more.
The Yorkshire pig is an excellent forage converter due to its rapid growth rate on forage. In addition to eating plants, they also consume animals.
The Yorkshire pig is among the most recommended exotic pig breeds for commercial pig farming. Farmers choose them because of their fantastic market value. Due to their easy handling, friendly nature, and ability to adapt well to confinement. Therefore, they are highly recommended to pig farmers.
Despite confinement, Yorkshire pigs are among the very few pigs with good productivity. Both extensive and confinement farming systems work well for them. Consequently, they are a common breed among commercial pig farmers.

Disadvantages of Rearing Yorkshire Pigs

They are Not Suitable as Domestic Pig Pets Because of Their Large Size

Although Yorkshire pigs are friendly and very active, their large size usually discourages pet owners.

Yorkshire Pigs Need Enough Space

Due to their large size, they take up a lot of space. Pigs still occupy much space even when kept in confinement and forbidden from roaming free. As they grow, they require more space.

As Well as Causing a Lot of Mess, They are Potentially Destructive

Your pigs will sometimes create a mess if you let them run around, and sometimes they will be stubborn if they’re not. Sometimes they can become destructive friends because they get playful.

Easily Stressed by Low Maintenance and Sensitive to Mismanagement

You must respond for them if you decide to keep and rear them commercially in confinement. While they don’t require full attention, they need to be well managed as well as maintained; otherwise, their productivity suffers.

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Conclusion

Overall, Yorkshire pigs are the best choice. Because they excel in every category, Yorkshire pigs are universally regarded as a very good and attractive pig breed. It’s just that they’re not exactly the healthiest pigs around, and they can occasionally have a lot of genetic mishaps, especially if you crossbreed them a lot.

Yorkshire Pig Facts: Origin, Size, Physical Characteristics, Pros, and Cons