Mangalitsa

The mangalica pig ( also: Mangalitsa or Mangaliza, more rarely, sheep pig ) is a Hungarian breed of pig, which is characterized by curled, bright bristles.

Properties

Because of the unusual hairy coat with undercoat and curly bristles, the Mangalitsa is called in German " woolen pig". Few Domestic pigs are still so hairy as their ancestors, the wild boar. The piglets are like striped wild boar piglets. There are cultured three color varieties: large-framed Blonde, Red Mangalitsa and schwalbenbäuchige mangalica. Its thick blubber and the coat protect the sturdy pig against extreme weather conditions. Therefore, they can live outdoors all year round, if you are a shelter and a mud wallow available. The character of the wool pig is very good-natured. With good treatment, they are very tame and can also be like to be touched.

Development

The origination date of the mangalica pig breed dates back to the thirties of the 19th century. Sumadia - pigs were crossed with a then widespread Hungarian breed. End of the 19th century, the mangalica, which is characterized by thick fat pad, already the leading breeding stock had risen.

By 1890, Hungary had nine million mangalica pigs. After the Second World War saw the old breed in Hungary a new lease because it had grown to adverse life circumstances. Until the 50s of the 20th century, the mangalica pig was the predominant race in Hungary. It was then rigorously excluded by English breeds of pigs that had more meat and less fat, that at the end of the seventies, not even 200 pure-bred specimens were counted. However, the new pig breeds no longer were suitable for grazing (winter outdoor entertainment ), but had to be held because of the lower layer of fat and the associated lower cold resistance in the barn.

Project mangalica

To obtain the endangered woolly pig, several projects were launched across Europe. In Germany, the " farm animal ark " initiative ensures that the old livestock breeds are maintained. In Austria, the " community of interest of the woolly pig breeders in Austria" promotes the preservation of woolly pigs. In Switzerland, the resulting " Swiss Association for the woolly pig breeding ( SVWS ) " the Stud Book.

Rottenberg bergischer Wollschweine

Meanwhile, the Wollschwein pleased, particularly in Switzerland and Austria in great popularity in the restaurant industry, which meant that the number of farmers continues to rise. Today mangalica pigs are bred again throughout Europe.

The woolly pig was declared in 1999 by the Society for the Conservation of Old and Endangered Livestock Breeds (GEH ) for 'at-risk livestock breed of the Year ".

In the northern Burgenland, where the woolly pig was mentioned in 1830 already in Austria empire, this breed is performed in the traditional food register.