The Duroc pig is an old breed of domestic pig originating in the United States. It is one of several red pig strains which was developed around 1800 in New England.
Exact origins of the breed are not known. One theory is that the red color of the animal came from the Berkshire pig (a breed which is now black, but was rusty brown at that time) from Britain.
Another suggestion is that the pigs were imported from the Guinea coast of Africa during the time of the slave trade.
Another influence on the breed may have been four shoats from Spain and Portugal that were imported around 1837, but it is unclear whether these formed part of the breed’s ancestry.
Duroc Pig Breed Information
The Duroc pig is the first breed to have it’s genome sequenced was a sow. The modern breed originated from crosses of the Jersey Red and New York’s older Duroc.
And around the 1950s, the breed started being used as show hogs. Read some more information about the Duroc pig breed below.
Physical Characteristics
The modern Duroc pig is a medium-sized animal with moderately long body and it’s face is slightly dished. It was originally a very large breed in the past, but was not as large as was the Jersey Red pig.
Ears of the animal are dropping and not held erect. Coloration of the animals is often an orangish-brown. But any color is allowed from a light golden shade to a deep mahogany red.
Duroc pigs are large-framed animals and are muscular. Average live body weight of the mature sows is around 204-295 kg. And average live body weight of the mature boars vary from 227 to 340 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Special Notes
The Duroc pig is a very hardy breed. And it is well known for it’s hardiness and quick but through muscle growth.
The breed is of very good behavior and has relatively calm temperament. It tend to be one of the least aggressive of all the pig breeds.
The Duroc pigs grow relatively faster when they are kept on a consistent and nutritious diet. They do very well in extensive pig farming system and tend to stay healthy and happy in both cold and warm climates.
The sows are known for producing large litters and they take very good care of their piglets. However, review full breed profile of the Duroc pig in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Duroc | |
| Other Name | None | |
| Special Notes | Very hardy, good behavior, calm temperament, less aggressive, grow faster, good for extensive system, good for both cold and warm climates, sows are known for producing large litters and they take very good care of their piglets | |
| Breed Size | Medium to large | |
| Boars | 227-340 kg | |
| Sows | 204-295 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates | |
| Color | Usually an orangish-brown. But any color is allowed from a light golden shade to a deep mahogany red. | |
| Rarity | Common | |
| Country/Place of Origin | United States |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Duroc is a very popular and common pig breed in the United States. And Duroc pork is very popular among the Americans. That’s why many people are trying to learn more about this breed. Especially, the beginners (who are raising pigs for the first time) ask us many questions about this pig breed. However, here we are trying to list the most common questions and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
What makes Duroc pork special?
Duroc pork is dark red in color, has good fat marbling throughout and maintains moisture well. And all these qualities are highly desirable in cuts of pork. These pigs also possess a significant amount of lean muscle. And when they are slaughtered, the carcasses yield a high amount of usable flesh. And all these qualities and features have made Duroc pork special.
Is Duroc pork healthy?
YES! Duroc pigs were identified as a superior genetic source for improving eating qualities of pork in the recent National Pork Producers Council Terminal Sire Line Evaluation.
How many piglets can a Duroc pig have?
Duroc pigs generally have large litters. Their average piglets production is close to between 10 and 15 piglets per litter.
Is Duroc pig a purebred?
NO! It is not a purebred, rather it is a crossbred boar.
Which is better Duroc or Berkshire?
Berkshire accumulated more subcutaneous and abdominal fat and had small loin eye muscle area, but accumulated less intramuscular fat than Duroc. There were no differences in meat color and tenderness between the two purebreds. But Berkshire was less than Duroc in drip loss.
Are Duroc pigs aggressive?
The male Durocs have been found to be aggressive. But the females are not aggressive.
How long are Duroc pigs pregnant?
Around 115 days.
How fast does a Duroc grow?
They will be full-size by 2 or 3 years of age. They grow quickly but evenly.
What are the advantages of Duroc pigs?
Duroc pigs are great for outdoor raising, producing tender and high quality meat, they have fast growth rate, their litter size is large, minimal aggression and they are good for breeding.
What are the disadvantages of Duroc pigs?
The male Duroc pigs are sometimes known to be aggressive.
What are the characteristics of Duroc pigs?
The Duroc is a large-framed, late-maturing type, excellent for heavy-carcase production. The forequarters, particularly the head and neck, are light and it has small lop ears. The skin is a solid reddish color, varying from gold to a deep, brick red. They have a medium length and slight dish of the face.
How much does a Duroc pig weight?
Average live body weight of the mature sows is around 204-295 kg. And average live body weight of the mature boars vary from 227 to 340 kg.
What are the Duroc pig breed facts?
The Duroc is a large-framed, late-maturing type, excellent for heavy-carcase production. The forequarters, particularly the head and neck, are light and it has small lop ears. The skin is a solid reddish color, varying from gold to a deep, brick red. They have a medium length and slight dish of the face.
When do Duroc pig reach butcher age?
Duroc pigs generally reach butchering size and weight within their 6 months of age.
How long do Duroc pigs live?
Average lifespan of a Duroc pig is between 10 and 15 years.
What color is a Duroc pig?
The color is often an orangish-brown, but ranges from a light-golden shade to a deep mahogany-red.
How much a Duroc pig cost?
Exact price can vary from place to place. But you can expect the price from $50 to several hundred dollars.
What do you feed Duroc pigs?
Many farmers use a mixture of corn and soybeans to feed their Durocs. You can also feed any kind of fruit and vegetable, scrap, dairy products to improve the meat quality.
What are the Duroc pig facts?
The Duroc is a large-framed, late-maturing type, excellent for heavy-carcase production. The forequarters, particularly the head and neck, are light and it has small lop ears. The skin is a solid reddish color, varying from gold to a deep, brick red. They have a medium length and slight dish of the face.
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