This breed is found in North East India. It is a medium sized animal. The breed is available at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya. This breed is known for its good body quality and high quality meat production. Fast growers, good tempered and excellent breeders are the features of Hampshire breed. Body of this breed is black in color having whitish band on the front legs and across shoulders. It has long nose, long legs and has well-built and well-muscled body. The weight of male pig is about 300kg and female pig is 250kg. It has an average lifespan of approximately 12 years.


 

Feeding management:
Pigs need the feed which is nutritious as well as satisfies their hunger. Pigs love to eat fresh food. They enjoy variety of food having variety of textures and taste. They will eat wide variety of food such as water plants, fruit, nuts, meat, bush and all kinds of vegetables especially cabbage. They also love to eat soil for the taste and texture. They will even eat happily all the unfinished food and scrap. Pigs eat an average of 2-3kg of food per day. Diet will vary upon age and weight of the pig. The pig diet must include with grains and protein supplements. Mainly the healthy diets of pig which fulfill their requirements include mixture of cassava, sorghum, oat, wheat, rice, cotton seed cake, fish meal, meat meal, maize bran, pre-mixed vitamins and water. Vitamin B12 as a supplement is necessary in pig diet. Mineral supplements should also be given for good growth.
 
Feeding of boars:
Depending upon boar age and condition feed is given accordingly. A normal boar requires 2-2.5kg concentrate/100kg weight. If pigs are kept indoors, then green feed must be given to them.

Feeding of female pigs:
Vitamins, minerals and protein content must be given in the diet. During pregnancy the feed must be increased 1-2 before mating. A sow requires 2.5-3kg concentrate/100kg weight.

Feeding of weaner piglets:
Nourishing diet which is called as creep feed must be given to piglets. 10kg creep feed is given to each piglet before reaching the age of 8 weeks.
 

Living requirement: For pig farming suitable land which is free from noise and is calm should be selected. It is necessary that all the facilities and environment which is necessary for pig farming should be there in selected land. Ensure that nearby markets and veterinary service is there. Choose the land which has good ventilation system, suitable weather and all necessary facilities.

Care of pregnant sow: Breeding is mainly done when male and female pigs are 8 months old. After breeding, gestation period remain for an average of 115 days and they give birth to 8-12 piglets.  Special attention is required to the pregnant sow. Separate area, feed and water should be given to pregnant sow one week before farrowing.

Care of newborn piglets: After farrowing piglets are kept in warm place. The mucous of each piglet must be cleaned with soft cloth. After cleaning, navel cord should be removed and the stumps are cleaned with iodine. Clipping of 4 pairs of sharp teeth should be done as they help to prevent injury to teats or udder. Dry feed must be given to piglets at 2-3 weeks.

Recommended vaccines: For pig’s good health, proper vaccines at proper times should be given. Updated vaccines as well as de-licing every time is required to maintain its good health. Some vaccines such as deworming are required once in every year. Some major vaccines or medicines which are required for maintaining pig’s good health are as follows:
•    3 and 10 days after birth of piglet, iron injection @1ml and 2ml respectively is given on neck muscle.
•    Within 24 hours of birth oral iron paste which contains iron is put in the mouth of piglet.
•    Vaccinate the pig when they are 2-4 weeks old to prevent from swine.
•    Wood ash is also given as it gives important minerals to the animal.
•    Feed compost of good quality is given daily for good health.
•    If any symptoms are seen related to any diseases then immediately consult the vet.
 

•    Colibacillosis: Firstly the diarrhea occurs and then sudden death of animal. 
Treatment: Fluid therapy or antibiotics are given to the animal to cure this disease.

•    Coccidiosis: The diarrhea occurs to the 10-21 days old infant.
Treatment: Fluid therapy or coccidiostats is given to cure form disease.

•    Starvation (hypoglycaemia): Firstly the weakness occurs and then death of animal.
Treatment: Dextrose solutions or supplementary feeding is given to cure the disease.

•    Exudative epidermitis: The skin lesions occur on the body which results in death.
Treatment: The antibiotics such as skin protectants and vitamins are given to get relief from disease.

•    Respiratory disease: Sneezing, coughing and reduced growth are the symptoms of disease and sometimes death occurs. 
Treatment: By giving suitable antibiotics or by improving ventilation helps to cure the disease.

•    Swine dysentery: In this disease diarrhea occurs with blood or diarrhea or growth rate reduces and ultimately death of animal. 
Treatment: Reduced stocking density helps to control swine dysentery.

•    Proliferative enteropathy: In this disease diarrhea occurs with blood or diarrhea or growth rate reduces and ultimately sudden death of animal. 
Treatment: Iron or vitamin doses are given to cure proliferative enteropathy.

•    Sarcoptic mange: The signs of this disease are itching, scratching, rubbing and reduced growth rate.
Treatment: Miticidal sprays or injections are given to cure disease.

•    Intestinal torsion: It results in sudden death of animal.
Treatment: Manipulation of diet will help to get rid of this disease. 

•    Internal pesticides (worms): In this disease diarrhea occurs or reduced growth or pneumonia occurs.
Treatment: The pesticides are given through feed or injection which helps to cure disease.

•    Leptospirosis: The disease causes weak born pigs or abortions.
Treatment: Inject streptomycin @25mg/kg to the weaner pigs to get rid of leptospirosis.

•    Farrowing sickness: the signs of this disease are reduced in milk production, loss of appetite and increased body temperature. 
Treatment: Oxytoxin or inflammatory drugs are given to the animal to cure from disease.

•    Lameness: The disease results in reduced herd fertility and premature culling.
Treatment: No serious treatment is found but it can be prevented by preventing injuries.

 
•    Vaginal discharge syndrome: The disease mainly causes the infections in reproductive tract.
Treatment: Antibiotic treatment of Boar’s prepuce is given to cure from this disease.

•    Bladder/kidney infection: blood stained urine will come is the first symptom of this disease and then sudden death is seen.
Treatment: Antibiotic treatment of Boar’s prepuce is given to cure from this disease.

•    Erysipelas: The disease causes reproductive failure or abortions.
Treatment: Injection of penicillin @1ml/10kg body weight is given to cure erysipelas. Continue injections for 3-4 days until disease gets cure.

•    Gastric ulcers: The disease causes vomiting, loss of appetite, blood in dung which results to sudden death.  
Treatment: Extra dose of Vitamin E is given in the feed for 2 months to get cure from gastric ulcers.

•    PSS (Porcine stress syndrome): It is also known as malignant hyperthermia. The symptoms are sweating, partly dead, tachycardia, arrhythmias and pyrexia. 
Treatment: Dantrolene Sodium treatment under anesthesia is an effective treatment.