Tamworth Pig
Encyclopedia
The Tamworth is a breed
of domestic pig
originating in the United Kingdom
, with input from Irish pigs. It is among the oldest of pig breeds but as with many older breeds of livestock it is not well suited to modern production methods and is listed as "Threatened" in the United States
and "Vulnerable" in the UK by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
as there are fewer than 300 registered breeding females. This animal is of ginger to red colouration and is thought to have descended from wild boars, via native pig stock of Europe
. Principal populations today are in the United Kingdom
, Australia
, USA, New Zealand
and Canada
. Alternate names for this animal are Sandy Back and Tam.
. Colours range from a pale gingery to dark mahogany red. Early in the breed history, colours were red and black, but breeding has been conducted to remove the black colouration. The bristle
density protects their skin from ultraviolet
harm from the sun; nevertheless, when they moult
between June and August (in the northern hemisphere), shade is sought along with copious mud coating to prevent sunburn
. The mud coating also provides a way for the pigs to cool down, as pigs cannot sweat.
Tamworths are considered a medium sized porcine breed, with a full grown boar
ranging from 250 to 370 kg (551.2 to 815.7 lb) and the mature sow from 200 to 300 kg (440.9 to 661.4 lb). The adult length ranges from 100 to 140 cm (39.4 to 55.1 in) and heights of about 50 to 65 cm (19.7 to 25.6 in) are common. The curled adult tail is about 24 to 30 cm (9.4 to 11.8 in). This animal is characterised by having a neck and legs that are long, and by deep sides, but narrow backs. Its ham structures are quite muscular and firm. The breed is also known for having excellent foot structure and a good skeletal system. Litter
sizes are typically somewhat smaller than commercial breeds. Unacceptable features according to breed aficionados are: curly hair, coarse mane
, turned up nose, and dark spots on the coat.
and Canada
, where winters are severe, not only in regard to cold but also high winds. The animal is not only durable and rugged, but is extremely well suited for forest grazing. The Tamworth graze compatibly with cattle, being able to retrieve forage that cattle leave behind in the open pasture. This said, Tamworth pigs can be protective of their territories, thus somewhat aggressive towards any other livestock in the same pasture. This animal is very efficient at excavation while rooting for food in the forest or pasture. The breed is used in forage-based farming systems. The sows demonstrate good maternal skills, being consistent in suckling all littermates. Litters normally range in size from six to ten piglets. Piglets at birth are usually wild and wary of humans but easily adjust to human interaction. Tamworth displays a good disposition and enjoys the attention of humans. The Tamworth pig is ready for slaughter in 25-30 weeks.
, Staffordshire
, after the existing herd was interbred from 1812 with pigs from Ireland
known as 'Irish Grazers', that Peel had seen in Ireland in 1809. Much of the improvement of the breed took place in Staffordshire and also in the counties of Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, England. The breed appears among the least interbred with non-European breeds, and therefore one of the closest to the original European forest swine.
In the year 1865 Tamworths achieved English breed
recognition and in 1885 the herd book was started. Tamworths were imported into the United States by Thomas Bennett of Rossville, Illinois
, in 1882. Soon they entered Canada, where a population now exists. Breed Associations for Tamworth Swine are active in the UK, USA, and Canada
; however, they are considered a minor breed. From 1913 to mid century the breed reached peak numbers in Canada, reaching up to ten percent of the total swine population. In Australia the breed reached peak numbers of about 1000 in the mid 1900s. Modern herd numbers have reached critically small numbers in each of the five recognised countries holding these animals.
ally from most modern commercial swine, the Tamworth is considered an excellent choice for cross-breeding. It is sometimes called a bacon
pig because of its ability to achieve high body mass without having much actual fat
. Known current populations (breeding females) are: USA (1000); United Kingdom
(340); Canada
(254); Australia
(55) and New Zealand
(20). The breeding societies in each country consider conservation the highest priority, with a great emphasis upon record keeping.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of domestic pig
Domestic pig
The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...
originating in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, with input from Irish pigs. It is among the oldest of pig breeds but as with many older breeds of livestock it is not well suited to modern production methods and is listed as "Threatened" in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and "Vulnerable" in the UK by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Rare Breeds Survival Trust
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is a conservation charity, whose purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of the United Kingdom’s native farm animal genetic resources...
as there are fewer than 300 registered breeding females. This animal is of ginger to red colouration and is thought to have descended from wild boars, via native pig stock of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Principal populations today are in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, USA, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Alternate names for this animal are Sandy Back and Tam.
Description
This breed exhibits an elongated head shape and a long narrow body. The ears are erect and pointed, while the face has rectilinear lines as well as the snoutSnout
The snout, or muzzle, is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw.-Terminology:The term "muzzle", used as a noun, can be ambiguous...
. Colours range from a pale gingery to dark mahogany red. Early in the breed history, colours were red and black, but breeding has been conducted to remove the black colouration. The bristle
Bristle
A bristle is a stiff hair or feather. Also used are synthetic materials such as nylon in items such as brooms and sweepers. Bristles are often used to make brushes for cleaning uses, as they are strongly abrasive; common examples include the toothbrush and toilet brush...
density protects their skin from ultraviolet
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
harm from the sun; nevertheless, when they moult
Moult
In biology, moulting or molting , also known as sloughing, shedding, or for some species, ecdysis, is the manner in which an animal routinely casts off a part of its body , either at specific times of year, or at specific points in its life cycle.Moulting can involve the epidermis , pelage...
between June and August (in the northern hemisphere), shade is sought along with copious mud coating to prevent sunburn
Sunburn
A sunburn is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, which is produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and other animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV...
. The mud coating also provides a way for the pigs to cool down, as pigs cannot sweat.
Tamworths are considered a medium sized porcine breed, with a full grown boar
Boar
Wild boar, also wild pig, is a species of the pig genus Sus, part of the biological family Suidae. The species includes many subspecies. It is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig, an animal with which it freely hybridises...
ranging from 250 to 370 kg (551.2 to 815.7 lb) and the mature sow from 200 to 300 kg (440.9 to 661.4 lb). The adult length ranges from 100 to 140 cm (39.4 to 55.1 in) and heights of about 50 to 65 cm (19.7 to 25.6 in) are common. The curled adult tail is about 24 to 30 cm (9.4 to 11.8 in). This animal is characterised by having a neck and legs that are long, and by deep sides, but narrow backs. Its ham structures are quite muscular and firm. The breed is also known for having excellent foot structure and a good skeletal system. Litter
Litter (animal)
A litter is the offspring at one birth of animals from the same mother and usually from one set of parents. The word is most often used for the offspring of mammals, but can be used for any animal that gives birth to multiple young. In comparison, a group of eggs and the offspring that hatch from...
sizes are typically somewhat smaller than commercial breeds. Unacceptable features according to breed aficionados are: curly hair, coarse mane
Mane
- Biology :* mane of a horse, the line of hair along the spine of the neck* mane of a lion, found around the male mammal's neck- Places :* Mane Department, a department in the Sanmatenga Province of Burkina Faso* French communes:...
, turned up nose, and dark spots on the coat.
Behaviour
The most salient feature of the Tamworth is its great hardiness with respect to adverse climates. Thus the breed does well in its more northerly settings such as ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where winters are severe, not only in regard to cold but also high winds. The animal is not only durable and rugged, but is extremely well suited for forest grazing. The Tamworth graze compatibly with cattle, being able to retrieve forage that cattle leave behind in the open pasture. This said, Tamworth pigs can be protective of their territories, thus somewhat aggressive towards any other livestock in the same pasture. This animal is very efficient at excavation while rooting for food in the forest or pasture. The breed is used in forage-based farming systems. The sows demonstrate good maternal skills, being consistent in suckling all littermates. Litters normally range in size from six to ten piglets. Piglets at birth are usually wild and wary of humans but easily adjust to human interaction. Tamworth displays a good disposition and enjoys the attention of humans. The Tamworth pig is ready for slaughter in 25-30 weeks.
History
The Tamworth breed pig originated in Sir Robert Peel's Drayton Manor Estate at TamworthTamworth
Tamworth is a town and local government district in Staffordshire, England, located north-east of Birmingham city centre and north-west of London. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, after the existing herd was interbred from 1812 with pigs from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
known as 'Irish Grazers', that Peel had seen in Ireland in 1809. Much of the improvement of the breed took place in Staffordshire and also in the counties of Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, England. The breed appears among the least interbred with non-European breeds, and therefore one of the closest to the original European forest swine.
In the year 1865 Tamworths achieved English breed
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
recognition and in 1885 the herd book was started. Tamworths were imported into the United States by Thomas Bennett of Rossville, Illinois
Rossville, Illinois
Rossville is a village in Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 1,217 at the 2000 census, and 1,147 in 2009.-History:...
, in 1882. Soon they entered Canada, where a population now exists. Breed Associations for Tamworth Swine are active in the UK, USA, and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
; however, they are considered a minor breed. From 1913 to mid century the breed reached peak numbers in Canada, reaching up to ten percent of the total swine population. In Australia the breed reached peak numbers of about 1000 in the mid 1900s. Modern herd numbers have reached critically small numbers in each of the five recognised countries holding these animals.
Genetics and conservation
Being a breed considered quite distant geneticGenetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
ally from most modern commercial swine, the Tamworth is considered an excellent choice for cross-breeding. It is sometimes called a bacon
Bacon
Bacon is a cured meat prepared from a pig. It is first cured using large quantities of salt, either in a brine or in a dry packing; the result is fresh bacon . Fresh bacon may then be further dried for weeks or months in cold air, boiled, or smoked. Fresh and dried bacon must be cooked before eating...
pig because of its ability to achieve high body mass without having much actual fat
Fat
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
. Known current populations (breeding females) are: USA (1000); United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(340); Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(254); Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
(55) and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
(20). The breeding societies in each country consider conservation the highest priority, with a great emphasis upon record keeping.