Research UNE

Khua pigs are local pigs raised by the Khua people, a minority group living in the Minh Hoa district along the Truong Son mountainous area of Quang Binh province. The population of Khua pigs currently are small and divided into 4 phenotypic groups with a predominant appearance of black skin with white legs (59,3%), long face with strong nostril (80,9%) and straight back (86,6). Khua female pigs had a reproductive performance as low as other indigenous pigs in Vietnam. The average number of piglets born alive ranges from 6-7 piglet/litter, birth weights are from 0,3-0,5 kg/piglet, and piglet weight at weaning at 55-60 days of age is around 3-5 kg/piglet but preweaning survival is as high as more than 90%. The gilts grow slowly and reach puberty at 223 days of age and have a weight of 16 kg. Crossbreeding with Thailand wild boars increases their birth weight as well as their growth performance during the fattening period.