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Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 65
Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 66
Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 67
Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 68
Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 69
Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 70
Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 71
Suggested Citation:"4 Micropigs." National Research Council. 1991. Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1831.
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Page 72

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4 Micropigs Most breeds of swine (Sus scrofa) are too large to be considered microlivestock, but there are some whose mature weight is less than 70 kg. These micropigs it' are particularly common in West Africa, South Asia, the East Indies, Latin America, and oceanic islands around the world. At least one, the Mexican Cuino, may weigh a mere 12 kg full-grown. Many miniature swine have been developed for use in medical research, but their agricultural potential has been largely ignored. This is unfortunate, for micropigs of all types- native, feral, and labora- tory deserve investigation. Swine provide more meat worldwide than any other animal, and micropigs are potentially important sources of food and income for poor people in many parts of the developing world. Smallness makes for nimble and self-sufficient pigs, in contrast to large, lethargic breeds. Small breeds are easier to manage and cheaper to maintain; the threat of injury from angry or frightened animals is lessened; and the sows are less likely to crush newborn piglets, often a major cause of mortality in large breeds. Some micropigs particu- larly those from hot regions or wild populations also have a higher resistance to heat, thirst, starvation, and some diseases. Pigs adapt to a wide variety of management conditions, from scavenging to total confinement; some are even kept indoors.2 They gain weight quickly, mature rapidly, and help complement grazing livestock because they relish many otherwise unused wastes from kitchens, farms, and food industries, as well as other foods such as small roots, leafy trash, or bitter fruits that are not consumed by humans or ruminants. ' We use the word in its generic sense to represent all extremely small types. Charles River Laboratories, Inc. (see Research Contacts) has trademarked the term ''micropig,'' particularly for their strain of the Yucatan miniature pig, which is becoming widely used in medical research. 2 Small pigs are raised as indoor livestock in Vietnamese cities, for example. 63

64 MICROLIVESTOCK For these reasons, micropigs could become useful household and village livestock in the developing world, and they deserve greater attention than they now receive. Although their growth may not be as rapid as that of improved breeds raised under intensive commercial production, with modest care and minimum investment, backyard micropigs can produce sizable yields of meat and other products, as well as improved income for rural and even urban populations. AREA OF POTENTIAL USE Worldwide, especially in warm, humid areas. APPEARANCE AND SIZE Like full-sized breeds, micropigs are stout-bodied, short-legged animals with small tails and flexible snouts ending in flat discs. Examples of some micropigs are listed at the end of the chapter. DISTRIBUTION Domestic pigs are found all over the world, but their concentrations vary greatly. Africa has the fewest per capita, but in recent years they have gained increasing favor in the sub-Saharan regions. In Latin America, pigs have long been a major component of backyard agri- culture. In the Middle East, an early center of domestication, pigs are not widely kept today because of religious dietary restrictions. In the Far East, they are the major meat source, and China has more pigs than any other country. And in the Pacific region, pigs and chickens are often the only meat available. STATUS Pigs are becoming more popular: their worldwide numbers increased by about 20 percent in the 1970s. However, in most countries com- mercial pig production has focused on a mere handful of breeds, and much genetic diversity is unstudied or even threatened with extinction. Some microbreeds have already been lost, and others are dwindling in numbers.3 Many European breeds have been completely lost. The Cuino and some other Latin American criollo types are threatened, as are most of Africa's traditional breeds. China, however, has made notable efforts to preserve its native types. 3 Because pigs breec! at an early age and can have many large litters, physical characteristics can be lost quickly. Even within a single litter, piglets can show great . . c .lverslty.

MICROPIGS 65 HABITAT AND ENVIRONMENT Although, as previously noted, pigs are found all over the world, they are in general adapted to warm, humid climates where many other livestock species are more susceptible to diseases and environ- mental stresses. They are also raised at high altitudes, such as in the Andes and Tibet. Although there are few climatic limitations to pig production, only about 20 percent of the world's pigs are currently kept in the tropics. BIOLOGY Pigs are omnivores, willing and able to eat almost anything.4 Unlike most other livestock, they eat their fill and sleep as the food digests, allowing humans to establish a convenient eating and sleeping schedule. Pigs are prolific; a few Chinese breeds routinely have litters of 20 or more. Micropigs are no exception; litters of ~10 are common. Piglets gain weight rapidly and can be weaned after a few weeks. Sexual maturity is sometimes attained as early as 4 6 months, de- pending on breed and environment. Pigs are usually slaughtered at 7 months of age, allowing them to be produced on an annual cycle. They can live 1~20 years. Because of their smaller size, micropigs have a relatively greater skin-to-weight ratio than today's commercial breeds, and therefore they probably shed heat more effectively. Certainly they seem to perform better in tropical heat and humidity, which normally keep the heavier types from reaching their maximum productivity. Studies have suggested that an optimal size for some tropical environments because of metabolic and feed efficiency may be less than 65 kg.5 BEHAVIOR Pigs are social animals; they enjoy companionship and ferociously defend their young and sometimes even the humans who care for them. They are employed as guard animals in some areas and have been used extensively in behavioral research. Contrary to common belief, pigs are clean and tidy if provided adequate space. Larger breeds, however, wallow in mud to stay cool in hot weather and require a wallow or shade (except for some Latin American types, which seem less susceptible to heat). Some light- colored pigs sunburn easily. Pigs will dig up earth with their mobile snouts; some breeds do it constantly. 4 Although pigs have some ability to ferment cellulose in their intestines, they do not digest it as well as ruminants do, and cannot utilize large amounts of roughage. 5 Williamson and Payne, 1965.

MICROPIGS USES 67 Fresh pork is the major pig product in tropical areas. It usually fetches premium prices, and in many places (such as the Pacific Islands and China) it is the most important red meat available to rural people. Nutritious and tasty, it is one of the easiest meats to preserve, needing only salt or melted fat. Processed products such as bacon and sausages can be important for both home consumption and cash sales. Pig fat (lard) is a good source of food energy, and can substitute for cooking fats and oils. It is easily melted and clarified, is widely used to make soap, and is a valuable commercial product. Pig skin, once decreased, is easily tanned into leathers that are popular for garments, shoes, and other products demanding soft, light, and flexible leathers. Pig manure is a good fertilizer. Because the animals are often kept in confinement, it can be easily collected. HUSBANDRY In many places, pigs are kept as free-roaming scavengers. They can be trained (by coaxing with feed, salt, or affection) to keep close to home, thereby helping to minimize destructive scavenging. Herding is a higher level of management that requires more effort, but it allows pigs to be integrated into other types of agriculture while utilizing feeds that otherwise go to waste. Because their exercise needs are minimal and dominance is quickly established within litters, pigs are the easiest hoofed livestock to raise in small enclosures (sties). However, fencing must be secure, and if sties are small, the animals must be moved frequently to prevent diseases and parasites from building up. ADVANTAGES Pigs are well-known, often traditional, animals in many areas, and people usually do not have to be taught how to manage and use them. Efficient scavengers, they can live, grow, and reproduce with a minimum of investment or specialized care. Opposite: Riverside, California. Recently, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs have become popular pets in the United States. They sell at high prices and are kept indoors. Purportedly they ''love baths, never have fleas, and do not shed hair. They are also easily housebroken and are a nonrooting variety of pig.'' Their real potential, however, is in Third World villages. (Steve EllisonlPeople Weekly ~ 1988 Time Inc.)

68 MICROLIVESTOCK Pigs are highly efficient converters of feed to meat. They can provide the greatest return for the least investment of any hoofed livestock because of their fecundity, low management costs, broad food pref- erences, and rapid growth. Pigs normally accumulate fat during adolescent growth (making "finishing" feeds less necessary). Some micropigs (especially those from feral ancestors) have the ability to quickly mobilize and store these body-fat reserves; in times of extreme scarcity, it aids their survival.6 Pigs work well in multiple-cropping schemes. They are often used to help clear small plots by uprooting weeds, shrubs, and even small trees. In Southeast Asia, they are frequently raised in conjunction with aquaculture, their manure providing food for the fish. LIMITATIONS If improperly managed or maintained in filthy conditions, pigs may quickly succumb to disease and parasite epidemics. Most diseases are communicated only among pigs, but some can be transmitted to humans. For this reason, pork should always be fully cooked. Some cultures never eat pork. Others do, but nonetheless accord pigs and their keepers low status. Young pigs are vulnerable to many predators. RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION NEEDS A major survey of small pig breeds is needed. They have the potential to be valuable producers in their own right, as well as to improve other pig breeds. For instance, they represent a little-known reservoir of disease resistance and climatic adaptation. Governments, research stations, universities, and individuals should make special efforts to preserve types that have outstanding or unusual qualities. When it is necessary to eradicate feral pig populations (as is common on Pacific islands), representative stocks should be preserved. These rugged animals have been genetically isolated for decades or even centuries and are likely to carry valuable traits for survival under adversity. Large breeds may be promising candidates for genetic ''downsizing,'' which has already produced the many types of miniature pigs that are used in medical research. h Information from I. Lo. Brisbin.

MICROPIGS 69 THE LITTLEST PIG Although this chapter highlights the world 's smallest breeds, there exists a pig that is even smaller. It is, however, an entirely different species and it Is on the brick of extinction The pigmy hog (Sus salvanius) is a shy and retiring wild creature of northeastern India. It is merely 60 cm long with a shoulder height of 25 cm, and weighs less than 10 kg. It was once found widely along the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Today, however, it apparently occurs in only one area, the Manas IYational Park in Assam. Despite this protection and the fact that it is listed among the 12 most endangered species on earth, it still falls victim to hunters and to habitat destruction-especially illegal grass fires. If saved from extinction, this minute species-barely reach- ing a person's calf might become useful throughout the world. Its chromosome number is the same as that of the common pig and its physiological processes are probably also similar. Therefore, were its numbers to be built up, it might become a valued and well-known resource for laboratories and small farms. Its daily food intake and its space requirements are only a fraction of a normal pig's. It probably has exceptional tolerance to heat, humidity, and disease. This is not a domesticated species, and there is therefore much to learn before its usefulness can be clearly seen. Indeed, whether it can be reared in captivity is uncertain. Some attempts have ended in disaster, but this seems to have been the result of mismanagement. Before there is any possibility of developing it, however, the pigmy hog must be preserved from ultimate loss. The last specimen could go into a villager's pot at any time now. at- ''~ / ~ / _ _ If, ~ 'an, ``': \~`'5 / / i\ /~1 i, Adult male of the common pig (wild boar) and pigmy hog drawn to same scale. (W. L. R. Oliver)

70 REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF MICROPIGS West African Dwarf (Nigerian Black, Ashanti) MICROLIVESTOCK West Africa. Mature weights of 25~5 kg are reported. In the humid lowland forests of West Africa this breed has long been kept by villagers, often as a scavenger. Indigenous to the hot, humid tsetse zones of West Africa, it seems resistant to trypanosomiasis. Chinese Dwarfs China (and Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam) has long had small pigs-often characterized by numerous teats and large litters associated with traditional intensive agriculture as well as scavenging conditions. Some Chinese pigs weighing less than 70 kg are adapted to tropical and subtropical conditions, but the smallest (2() 35 kg) live in the cold climates and high altitudes of Gansu, Sichuan, and Tibet. Small black Chinese pigs were crossed with European types in the early 1800s and produced the foundation stock of many modern Western breeds. Criollo There are a number of "native" breeds throughout Latin America commonly known as "criollo." Many are quite small. Although, apparently, they are slow to mature and bear small litters, they adapt well to environmental extremes and are widely kept by rural inhabitants for food and income. Criollos are little studied and are being replaced by imported breeds before their possibly outstanding qualities can be quantified. Cuino This micropig from the highlands of central Mexico may be descended from small Chinese types and is the smallest domestic pig, weighing as little as 1~12 kg fully grown. Hardy and an efficient scavenger, it can grow quickly when feed especially corn- is abun- dant. A century ago the cuing was a widespread household animal and was used for a time for experimental work in central Mexico. It is now little known and could be threatened with extinction. Black Hairless (felon, Tubasqueno, Birish) These small pigs of central and northern South America survive in hot, humid, adverse climates. They are adapted to bulkier feeds than most pigs and can thrive on fruit wastes. Many local types exist.

MICROPIGS 71 Nilo (Macao, Tatu, Canastrinha) This small, widespread, black, hairless pig of Brazil is often kept inside the house. Yucatan Miniature Swine A subtype of the black hairless from Mexico's hot, arid Yucatan Peninsula, it was imported into the United States in 1960. It has been downsized for laboratory use in the United States and is known as the Yucatan Micropig~. Weight at sexual maturity has been lowered through selective breeding from 75 kg to, currently, between 30 and 50 kg, with an ultimate goal of 2~25 kg. There is no evidence of "dwarfism," stunting, or loss of reproductive performance, and it appears to hold notable promise as microlivestock for developing countries. The parent stock, used for meat and lard production in Yucatan, is renowned for gentleness, intelligence, re- sistance to disease, and relative lack of odor. Exceptional docility, even in older boars and sows with litters, makes them easy to handle without the need for specialized housing or equipment.7 Other Laboratory Breeds Other miniature laboratory pigs have potential for tropical use. These include the Goettingen, Hanford, Kangaroo Island, Ohmini, Pitman- Moore, and Sinclair (Hormel). In general they weigh 3~50 kg when ready for slaughter and mature at less than 70 kg. Ossabaw United States. 2() 30 kg. Feral on Ossabaw Island, South Carolina, for more than 300 years, this pig is well adapted to environmental extremes. Unlike most domestic animals, it can maintain itself in coastal salt marshes. It has perhaps the highest percentage of fat of any pig. The piglets are very precocious, self-reliant, and robust.8 Kunekune (Pua'a, Poaka) New Zealand. Female 40 kg; male 50 kg. Perhaps of Chinese origin, these black-and-white spotted pigs are docile, slow, and easy to contain. Although late maturing, they can fatten on grass alone. Like other native breeds throughout the Pacific region (for example, the Pau'a of Hawaii), stock is being lost through crossbreeding, displacement by other breeds, and eradication efforts. 7 Information from L. Panepinto. Information from I. L. Brisbin. Small feral pigs are established on many islands worldwide, often left by seafarers as a future source of meat.

72 ~ICROLIVES1OCK Td/~ ~-~f~ ff m~> 68 /~/~Af~ ~ c~ ~ [~ 4~, ~ fag, Ace. KeUy Klober 3~N It's I/ . ~Drfe3 ~e ~d '~ e~ged>~/~' ~ /~6fre ,~~/~/e Are~t In, Kafka ~/d If e~/~' ~d If ~ m-r m~r ,~/~, cereals. ^~ I, If, I/ re3~d 6} poor I, ~or p~&C 3~' J~fr Ace, ~d dear ~~g If. Oft -~d /fre,'~{ proJ~ 0~e co~/d I ~ ~/~, ~ ~ce fang e~r ~d Ifs 6~e ~, ~' g~/~d If. Jog W. MeDor Intemabona1 Food PoUcy Research Inshtute 3~ at/ J/re ~ ~~' ~ ~/~re ~~ reg~fre~ ~ i~ff~~re g ~ /~e ~ ~f/~ Afro ~ ~ /o f~e ~- ~ fig /, ~f~....~ /o Berg ~' ~ /Ae ~er ~} /o carnage, ~' Id/ Iffy Ae enco~ f~cf~g cadge, ~' A ~/ ~ ~ ~d ~6 ~ ~d Ao~ /~ ~ or j}~~ C 6e ~' 6> /~ fife. Jam ~ ~- [~ Afar 4~/~/~/~' /~ ~/ ~~ 1

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Microlivestock is a term coined for species that are inherently small as well as for breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs that are less than about half the size of the most common breeds. These miniature animals are seldom considered in the broad picture of livestock development, but they seem to have a promising future, especially in developing nations or wherever land is scarce.

This book raises awareness of the potential of these small species, including microcattle, microsheep, various poultry, rabbits, rodents, deer, antelope, and lizards. It also strives to stimulate their introduction into animal research and economic development programs.

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