The Eight-Eyebrow Pig, also known as Zhuchuan or West Pig, is a unique Chinese indigenous breed mainly raised in the Shaanxi Trail River Basin, eastern Gansu, and Guyuan in Ningxia. It is widely distributed across Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai, with some presence in neighboring regions like Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. These pigs are renowned for their strong adaptability, resilience to stress, high-quality meat, and excellent fat deposition ability. They are also easy to manage and genetically stable. However, they have some drawbacks, such as slow growth, underdeveloped hindquarters, and thick skin. **Physical Characteristics** The most distinctive feature of the Eight-Eyebrow Pig is the "eight" shaped wrinkles on its forehead, which give it its name. The head is long and narrow, with drooping ears and a black coat. Based on appearance and production traits, the breed is divided into three types: Big Eight-Eyebrow, Twenty-Eight-Eyebrow, and Small Pig. 1. **Big Eight-Eyebrow Pig**: This is the largest type, with a heavy head, wide mouth, and deep, crisscrossing wrinkles often resembling the characters “million” or “shou.” The ears are long and droop over the nose, the back is long and sagging, and the skin is loose with many folds. These pigs have 6 to 9 pairs of teats and reach economic maturity later. Once common, they now make up only about 1% of the population due to their slower growth and lower productivity. 2. **Twenty-Eight-Eyebrow Pig**: A medium-sized variety between the Big and Small Pigs. It has a narrower head, less pronounced wrinkles, and slightly smaller ears. The body is more compact, with fewer wrinkles and 6 to 8 pairs of teats. This type matures earlier and is more productive, accounting for roughly 19% of the total population. 3. **Small Pig**: The smallest of the three, with a compact, agile body. It has a small, straight head, shallow wrinkles, and hard ear shells, commonly called “apricot ears.” Its mouth is small, and it is known for being early maturing and easy to breed, making it ideal for small-scale farming. This type makes up around 80% of the population due to its fast growth and high fertility. **Fattening Performance** Eight-Eyebrow pigs grow slowly, with the Big Eight-Eyebrow reaching only about 50 kg at 12 months and being slaughtered at 2–3 years old, weighing 150–200 kg. The fattening period for the Twenty-Eight-Eyebrow is shorter, around 10–14 months, with a weight of 75–85 kg. The Small Pig can be slaughtered at 10 months old, weighing 50–60 kg. The daily weight gain during the finishing phase is about 458 grams, with a lean meat rate of 43.2%. Their meat is highly valued for its bright red color, marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. The carcass contains 22.56% protein, and the pH of the eye muscle is 6.71. **Reproductive Performance** Boars become sexually mature around 30 days of age and are typically bred when they reach 40 kg at 10 months old. Their lifespan averages 6–8 years, with some living up to 10 years or more. Sows begin estrus at 3–4 months (average 116 days), with an estrus cycle of 18–19 days and a duration of about 3 days. After weaning, estrus usually occurs within 9 days (ranging from 5–22 days). Sows are typically bred at 45 kg, with an average litter size of 6.4 piglets, and some litters exceeding 12. Their useful lifespan is about 4 years. Adult boars ejaculate 250–400 ml of semen.

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