Sarda pig facts for kids
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The Sarda or Suino Sardo (also known as Porcu Sardu in Sardinian) is a special kind of pig. It comes from the sunny Mediterranean island of Sardinia, which is part of Italy. These pigs are mostly raised in the areas of Ogliastra and Nuoro. You can also find them in Medio Campidano and Sassari. The Sarda pig breed was officially recognized by the Italian government in 2006. This made it the sixth native pig breed to be officially listed by Italy's Ministry of Agriculture.
History of the Sarda Pig
The first detailed description of pigs from Sardinia was written a long time ago. It was in 1774 by a person named Francesco Cetti. He wrote about them in his book, I quadrupedi di Sardegna. This means 'The Four-Legged Animals of Sardinia'.
Cetti described the Sarda pig's tail as long and straight, like a horse's tail. He also noted that the pig's body was covered in thick bristles. On its back, the bristles stood up like a blade. This description and the pictures from his book are very similar to how Sarda pigs look today.
How Sarda Pigs Live
Sarda pigs are usually raised in a very natural way. They are allowed to roam freely in mountain areas with lots of trees. These areas often include public land. The pigs find their own food there, like acorns, chestnuts, and roots.
Farmers only give them extra food during the summer. This is when natural food sources are harder to find. The pig farmers train the pigs to come when they are called. They usually feed them in the same spot, often on the ground or by the side of a road.
Keeping Track of Sarda Pigs
An official list, called a herdbook, was started for Sarda pigs in 2006. This list helps keep track of all the purebred Sarda pigs. It is managed by the Italian national association of pig breeders. By the end of 2012, there were 575 Sarda pigs officially registered in this herdbook.
