Miniature pig
As a mini-pigs (also called teacup pigs ) refers to dwarf pigs. In addition to many original mini pig breeds certain regions minipig be summarized mainly breeds and strains under the term, which have been bred for experimental purposes or for hobby attitude. One also often used to refer to the mini- pig is the English term minipig.
History
Back in ancient Greek times, man has made the physiological and anatomical similarities between pig and human advantage to explore certain human medical contexts. The emergence of small pig breeds was carried out, however, much later. With one of the first races the Minnesota minipig, which was developed in the 1940s in the U.S. ( Dettmer et al, 1965;. . Dettmer et al, 1971). After he was followed by many others. The goal of all breeders was to breed a handy test animal, which is competitive with other experimental animals to the large group of non - rodents on the basis of anatomical similarities to humans. The advantages over larger pigs are the smaller footprint, better handling during the experiments, lower feed costs and especially lower test costs because the dosage is in the development of new drugs based on body weight.
Appearance and Size
Basically, come all domesticated pigs, including the mini-pigs, by the European or Asiatic wild boar from (Porter, 1993). The size or body weight is very different from breed to breed. However, one can roughly be divided as pigs with a body weight up to 100 kg mini pigs.
Mini pig breeds
- Göttingen minipig
- Munich miniature pig
- Vietnamese potbelly pig
- Minnesota minipig
- Panepinto
- Ohmini
- Clawn
- Hanford
- Mini - Sib
- Pitman -Moore
- Guinea Hog
- American minipig
- Teacup
Terms such as " Bergsträsser Tots " or " Wiesauer Mini Pig" is not a guarantee for breed standards and can at best be regarded as a breeding line. The names only to indicate the origin of the animals and are selected by the breeders themselves.
Göttingen minipig
The Göttingen minipig is in the 1960s, evolved at the University of Göttingen from the mating of American mini-pigs, the Minnesota minipigs, and Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs ( Glodek et al, 1977;. Glodek and Oldigs, 1981). Later German Landrace has been bred to produce uniform white pigs. This can be seen more skin reactions and comparability between animals is ensured. The Göttingen minipig is currently the most frequently used mini pig race in biomedical research.
Nutrition
Mini pigs are like all their fellow creatures generally omnivores. The feeding of meat and kitchen residues, however, is prohibited by law because of the risk of transmission of disease.
Pigs are always hungry, and a balanced amount of food is important. A daily feed ration of one to two percent of body weight is adequate. Fattening feed as used in the pig is suitable for this. Instead, lots of fruits and vegetables, and broken maize, wheat bran, yogurt, milk, carrots, pellets and special mini pig feed for durable pigs offer ( Garvo ). Basically need minipigs also grass or hay, a form of reward make raisins, cheese and scrambled eggs dar. Due to its high sugar content, however, should raisins are rarely given. Also important is a varied diet.
Young pigs get best piglets grain. Piglet starter, a used in agriculture special power feed for piglets that are issued after 24 days from the breast milk is not suitable for mini- pig piglets.
Pet ownership
The keeping of pets of mini pigs began several years ago in America and is becoming increasingly common in Europe. The problem here is that these animals are legally despite their small size and the binding to the people in the livestock status and are subject to all provisions that apply to agriculture. This includes appropriate provisions for the fencing of the site, the feeding, the message at government institutions and state-ordered culling in the event of an epidemic.
Basically not a pure flat attitude should be. The minipig has similar needs as a normal, big pig. Therefore, they need an outlet, which measures at least 100 square meters per pig. So a dry stables outside is as important as straw and a pasture or a garden. Individual attitude is due to the pig hygiene regulation not allowed, but is often practiced as a hobby. Mini pigs are - like all pigs - social animals and need to be close to conspecifics. Also living with dogs, cats or other pets is usually possible, when placed early enough in contact with them. Your wild congeners, the wild boar, live in family groups, called Rotten, where there is a fixed hierarchy. In the animal husbandry is therefore to be sure to show the pigs that one is sort of the first rank, so the pack leader.
To deal with the pigs, the so-called Clicker recommends. Here, if you would like to teach a pig, for example, to roll a ball, reward each correct action of the pig with a single click, which is generated using a clicker, followed by a treat. If it has then touched the ball, it gets a few more treats than before.
Vaccinations against rabies in rabies- prone areas and erysipelas should be performed as regularly as possible.