Domestic pig
2391490
226129191
2008-07-16T23:08:53Z
J.delanoy
2372780
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/90.198.4.152|90.198.4.152]] to last version by Tj9991 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
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{{Taxobox
| name = Domestic Pig
| status = DOM
| image = Sus scrofa scrofa.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = A domestic pig on an organic farm in [[Solothurn, Switzerland]]
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Artiodactyla]]
| familia = [[Suidae]]
| genus = ''[[Pig|Sus]]''
| species = ''[[Boar|S. scrofa]]''
| subspecies = '''''S. s. domestica'''''
| trinomial = ''Sus scrofa domestica''
| trinomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
| synonyms =<center>'''''Sus domestica'''''
}}
The '''[[Domestication|domestic]] [[pig]]''' (or in some areas '''hog''') is normally given the scientific name ''Sus scrofa scrofa'', though some taxonomists use the term ''S. domestica'', reserving ''S. scrofa'' for the [[wild boar]].
Pigs are believed to have been [[domesticated animal|domesticated]] from wild boar as early as 9000 BC in the [[Near East]] and separately in China at about the same time<ref>Giuffra E, Kijas JM, Amarger V, Carlborg O, Jeon JT, Andersson L. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10747069&query_hl=4&itool=pubmed_docsum The origin of the domestic pig: independent domestication and subsequent introgression.], April 2000, {{en icon}}.</ref>. DNA evidence from sub-fossil remains of teeth and jawbones of Neolithic pigs in Europe shows that the first domestic pigs there had been brought from the Near East. It appears that this stimulated the domestication of European wild boar, effectively forming a third domestication event – the Near Eastern genes later died out in European pigs, and domesticated European pigs were then exported in turn to the ancient Near East<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6978203.stm BBC News, "Pig DNA reveals farming history"] 4 September 2007. The report concerns an article in the journal ''PNAS''</ref>.
The adaptable nature and [[omnivorous]] diet of the wild boar allowed early humans to domesticate it readily. [[Pigs]] were mostly used for food, but early civilizations also used the pigs' hides for shields, bones for tools and weapons, and bristles for brushes.<ref>http://www.flossybrush.ca/oral.html Oral Care. </ref> Pigs were brought to southeastern [[North America]] from [[Europe]] by [[Hernando de Soto (explorer)|De Soto]] and other early [[Spain|Spanish]] [[explorers|explorer]]. Escaped pigs became [[feral]] and were used by [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] as food.<ref>http://www.cambridge.org/us/books/kiple/hogs.htm II.G.13. - Hogs.</ref>
Most domestic pigs have rather sparse hair covering on their skin, although [[Woolly-coated grazing pig|woolly coated]] breeds are known ([[Mangalitsa]] pig), and some were popular in the past. <ref>http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1476623.mostviewed.royal_visit_delights_at_the_three_counties_show.php Royal visit delights at the Three Counties Show.</ref> Escaped domestic pigs have become [[feral]] in many parts of the world (for example, [[New Zealand]]) and have caused substantial environmental damage. <ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEED6103CF93AA15751C1A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Alien Species Threaten Hawaii's Environment. </ref> <ref>http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio27Tuat02-t1-body-d1.html Introduced Birds and Mammals in New Zealand and Their Effect on the Environment.</ref>
==Food==
[[Image:JEFO-Pigs.jpg|thumb|Pigs on a farm]][[Image:Suckling pigs.JPG|thumb|Baby pigs suckling their mother.]]
The domestic pig is used for its meat, called [[pork]]. Other products made from pigs include [[sausage]], [[bacon]], [[gammon]], [[ham]] and [[pork scratchings]]. The head of a pig can be used to make a preserved jelly called [[head cheese]]. [[Liver]], [[chitterlings]], and other [[offal]] from pigs are also widely used for food. In some [[religion]]s, such as [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]], there are [[religious restrictions on the consumption of pork]].
==Farming==
In [[industrialization|industrialized]] nations, domestic pig farming has shifted away from the [[Family farm hog pen|traditional pig farm]] to large-scale [[intensive pig farming|intensive pig farms]] where meat can be mass-produced. This has resulted in lower production costs, but more significant [[animal welfare]] concerns.
In [[developing nation]]s, and often in [[developed nation]]s, the domestic pig is raised outdoors in yards or fields. In some cases pigs are allowed to [[foraging|forage]] in woods, where they are watched by [[swineherd]]s, the equivalent of [[shepherd]]s for pigs.
== Uses in truffle hunting ==
The domestic pig is also widely used in [[France]] and other countries to search for [[truffle]]s. This is because the truffle smells similar to the [[pheromones]] of the animal.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
==As pets==
[[Image:Adelaide champion Berkshire boar 2005.jpg|thumb|right|Champion Berkshire boar at the 2005 [[Royal Adelaide Show]]]]
Pigs are known to be [[Animal cognition|intelligent]] animals and have been found to be more trainable than [[dog]]s or [[cat]]s. <ref>http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/pigs.html Are pigs smarter than dogs?</ref> Asian [[pot-bellied pig]]s, a small type of domestic pig, have made popular house [[pet]]s in the [[United States]] beginning in the latter half of the 20th century. Regular domestic farmyard pigs have also been known to be kept indoors, but due to their large size and destructive tendencies, they typically need to be moved into an outdoor pen as they grow older. Most pigs have a fear of being picked up, but will usually calm down once placed back on the floor. Pigs are rarely used as [[working animals]]. An exception is the use of [[Truffle hog|truffle pigs]] – ordinary pigs trained to find [[truffles]].
==Breeds of pigs==
{{For|a list of breeds of domestic swine|List of domestic pig breeds}}
[[Image:2004pig.PNG|thumb|right|Pig headcount in 2004]]
Pigs are exhibited at [[agricultural show]]s, judged either as [[Stud (animal)|stud stock]] compared to the standard features of each breed, or in commercial classes where the animals are judged primarily on their suitability for slaughter to provide premium meat.
===Rare pig breeds===
According to the [[American Livestock Breeds Conservancy]] <ref>[http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#pigs American Livestock Breeds Conservancy]. Retrieved 18 April 2008.</ref>, seven breeds of swine in the U.S. are critically rare (having a global population of fewer than 2000). Outside the U.S., the [[Auckland Island Pig]] (New Zealand) and [[woolly-coated grazing pig]] (Danube area) are known to be critically rare. Rare U.S. breeds include:
* [[Gloucestershire Old Spots]]
* [[Mulefoot]]
* [[Red Wattle]]
== Pig farming terminology==
===Types of animal===
{{Agricultural production box
|year=2005
|animal=pig
|country1={{CHN}}
|amount1=488.8
|country2={{USA}}
|amount2=60.4
|country3={{BRA}}
|amount3=33.2
|country4={{VNM}}
|amount4=27.0
|country5= {{GER}}
|amount5=26.9
|country6= {{ESP}}
|amount6=25.3
|country7= {{POL}}
|amount7=18.0
|country8= {{FRA}}
|amount8=15.0
|country9= {{CAN}}
|amount9=14.7
|country10= {{MEX}}
|amount10=14.6
|world=960.8 }}
*'''Pig''', either the species as a whole, or where the species is called "hog", only young piglets.
*'''Swine''', either the species as a whole, or any member of it. The singular is the same as the plural.
*'''Shoat''', '''piglet''' or '''pig''' (where the species is called "hog"), unweaned young pig, or or any immature pig.
*'''Sucker''', a pig between birth and weaning.
*'''Runt''', an unusually small and weak piglet, often one in a litter.
*'''Boar''' or '''hog''', male pig of breeding age.
*'''Barrow''', male pig [[Castration|castrated]] before puberty.
*'''Stag''', male pig castrated later in life, (that is, an old boar after castration).
*'''Gilt''', young female not yet mated, or not yet farrowed, or after only one litter (depending on local usage).<ref name='ucdavis_swineguide'>[http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1385/2027.PDF Swine Study Guide] from [[UC Davis]]</ref>
*'''Sow''', breeding female, or female after first or second litter.
===Pigs for slaughter===
*'''[[Suckling pig]]''', a piglet slaughtered for meat.
*'''Feeder pig''', a weaned gilt or barrow weighing {{convert|18|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|37|kg|lb|abbr=on}} at 6 to 8 weeks of age that is sold to be finished for slaughter
*'''Porker''', market pig between {{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and about {{convert|54|kg|lb|abbr=on}} dressed weight.
*'''Baconer''', a market pig between {{convert|65|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|80|kg|lb|abbr=on}} dressed weight. The maximum weight can vary between processors.
*'''Grower''', a pig between weaning and sale or transfer to the breeding herd, sold for slaughter or killed for rations{{Clarifyme|date=June 2008}}<!-- What does "rations" mean? -->.
*'''Finisher''', a grower pig over {{convert|70|kg|lb|abbr=on}} liveweight.
*'''Butcher hog''', a pig of approximately {{convert|100|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, ready for the market
*'''Backfatter''', cull breeding pig sold for meat; usually refers specifically to a cull sow, but is sometimes used in reference to boars.
===Groups===
*'''Herd''', a group of pigs, or all the pigs on a farm or in a region.
*'''Sounder''', a small group of pigs (or [[wild boar]]) foraging in woodland.
===Pig parts===
*'''Trotters''', the feet of pigs (they have four hoofed toes, walking mainly on the larger central two).
===Biology===
*'''In pig''', pregnant.
*'''Farrowing''', giving birth.
*'''Hogging''', a sow when on heat (during [[oestrus]]).
===Housing===
*'''Sty''', a small pig-house, usually with an outdoor run.
*'''Pig-shed''', a larger pig-house.
*'''Ark''', a low field-shelter for pigs (or other animals such as [[rabbit]]s or [[chicken]]s)
==See also==
{{Commons|Sus domesticus}}
*[[ECODIPTERA]]
*[[Exotic pet]]
*[[Extensive farming]]
*[[Factory farming]]
*[[Intensive farming]]
*[[Intensive pig farming]]
*[[Taboo meat]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==References==
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=Pigs & Peccaries Specialist Group|year=1996|id=41775|title=Sus scrofa|downloaded=12 May 2006}}
* [http://www.hsus.org/farm_animals/factory_farms/the_pig_factory_farm/ The Humane Society of the United States]
* [http://www.factoryfarming.com/gallery/gestcrate01.htm Factory Farming Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.factoryfarming.com/pork.htm Factory Pork Production]
== External links ==
*[http://www.pig-genetics.co.uk/gilt.htm JJ Genetics], gilt pig breeders
*[http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1385/2027.PDF Swine Study Guide] from [[UC Davis]]
*[http://www.britishpigs.org.uk British Pig Association]
*[http://www.goveg.com/factoryFarming_pigs.asp Factory farming pigs - animal welfare site]
*[http://www.hyfoma.com/en/content/food-branches-processing-manufacturing/meat-fish-shrimps/pig-slaughtering/ The process of pig slaughtery]
[[Category:Domestic pigs|*]]
[[Category:Pork]]
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