Berkshire pigs are a popular breed known for their high quality meat. They are typically black with white feet, face, and tail tip. However, some Berkshire pigs can have pink skin instead of black. So can Berkshire pigs be pink? Let’s take a closer look at this unique breed.
Background on Berkshire Pigs
The Berkshire pig originated from the English county of Berkshire. They have a long history dating back over 300 years. Some key facts about the Berkshire breed:
- One of the oldest pig breeds, originated in Britain.
- Known for high quality marbled meat.
- Medium to large sized pigs, weighing 600-700 lbs at maturity.
- Typically black with white extremities (feet, face, tail).
- Pigs have upright ears and a dished face.
For centuries, the classic Berkshire has been black with a white tail tip, feet, and face. But variations can occur in some litters.
Pink Skin Berkshires
While most Berkshires are black, some may have pink skin. This is due to a recessive gene that causes a lack of black pigment. When two carrier pigs mate, they can produce offspring with pink skin instead of black.
Pink skinned Berkshires will have pigmented eyes, nose, and hoofs. But their skin and hair can range from white, pink, tan, and light brown. They are sometimes nicknamed “sandy Berkshires” because of their lighter pigment.
Here’s an overview of the characteristics of pink skinned Berkshires:
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Skin/Hair Color | Ranges from white, pink, tan, light brown |
| Eyes | Pigmented black |
| Snout | Pigmented black nose |
| Hooves | Black hooves |
| Ears | Upright Berkshire ears |
| Size | Medium to large, 600-700lbs |
| Meat Quality | Marbled Berkshire quality |
While not as common, pink can be a normal color variation in Berkshire pigs. The main difference is their skin color, but meat quality remains unchanged.
Genetics Behind Pink coloring
The pink skin is caused by a recessive gene that inhibits black pigment production. For a piglet to be born pink, both parents must carry this recessive gene.
In Berkshires, there is a dominant allele “B” that codes for black skin/hair. There is also a recessive allele “b” that causes pink skin when inherited from both parents. Here is how the genetics work:
- BB or Bb – Piglets with at least one B dominant allele will have black pigment. This includes most typical black Berkshires.
- bb – Piglets that inherit two recessive “b” alleles will have pink skin instead of black.
A mating of two Bb heterozygous parents can produce both black (BB, Bb) and pink (bb) piglets in the same litter:
| Parent 1 | Parent 2 | Possible Offspring |
|---|---|---|
| Bb | Bb | BB (25%) – Black skin |
| Bb (50%) – Black skin | ||
| bb (25%) – Pink skin |
Two heterozygous Bb parents have a 1 in 4 chance of producing a pink “bb” offspring. That is why some litters will contain a mix of black and pink piglets.
Prevalence of Pink Berkshires
Pink skin is a relatively uncommon occurrence in Berkshire pigs. Only about 1% of registered Berkshires are reported to be pink skinned. It mainly pops up when two carriers of the recessive “b” gene are bred together.
Some bloodlines or individual breeds are more likely to carry the pink gene. Certain regions like Japan and China have higher rates of pink skinned Berkshires.
Here are estimated rates of pink coloring in Berkshire populations:
- U.S. – Less than 1% of Berkshire registry
- UK – Approximately 5% of litters may contain a pink piglet
- Japan – Can be up to 30% of some bloodlines
- China – Up to 40-50% in some populations
The highest percentages are seen in parts of Asia. But overall the black skin gene remains very dominant in the breed. Random occurrences will continue to pop up when two carriers are bred.
Controversy Around Pink Berkshires
There is some controversy around pink skinned Berkshires in the pig farming community. Here are some of the debated points:
- Traditional Breed Standard – The traditional breed standard is black pigs with white extremities. Some argue pink Berkshires go against the original breed identity.
- Separate Breed – There are arguments that pink Berkshires should be considered a separate breed. Names like “Sandy Berkshires” or “Pink Whites” have been proposed.
- Culling – There are differing views on whether pink piglets should be culled at birth to conserve black breed purity.
- Breeding – Some programs actively avoid breeding carrier pigs to eliminate the pink gene. But others are working to isolate and stabilize the pink trait.
Overall, there are differing opinions on whether pink Berkshires should be embraced or eliminated within the breed. The debate continues today.
Berkshire Breed Registry Rules
Berkshire breed registries and associations have rules around accepting pink pigs:
| Registry | Rules for Pink Pigs |
|---|---|
| American Berkshire Association | Pigs must be black to be registered as purebred. Pink pigs would be listed as “Native on Appearance” |
| British Berkshire Breeders Club | The breed standard requires black color with white extremities |
| Canadian Berkshire Association | Only black pigs with white extremities can be registered as purebred Berkshires |
| Japanese Berkshire Association | Allows registration of pink skinned Berkshires that meet other breed criteria |
Most major Berkshire associations only accept black pigs meeting the traditional breed standard for purebred registration. However, some are more open to pink variations.
Value of Pink Berkshires
What is the value of pink Berkshire pigs compared to their black counterparts? Here are some considerations:
- Meat Quality – Identical quality and flavor to black Berkshires. The recessive gene only impacts skin colour.
- Rarity – Novelty of their unusual pink skin can increase value for niche markets.
- Exhibition – Interesting to display at pig shows and exhibitions.
- Breeding – Can develop unique pink Berkshire bloodlines by isolating recessive gene.
- Hybrid Vigor – Crossbreeding with other breeds can produce desirable characteristics.
While some view pink Berkshires negatively, their rarity and novelty can also make them more valuable in certain markets. Their meat quality remains unchanged.
Should Pink Berkshires Be Culled?
The practice of “culling” pink Berkshire piglets soon after birth is controversial. Here are arguments on both sides of the issue:
Arguments For Culling:
- Maintains breed purity and eliminates undesirable recessive genes
- Ensures consistency and predictability for buyers
- Avoids flooding the market and reduces novelty of rarity
Arguments Against Culling:
- Wasteful to kill healthy piglets based only on skin color
- Reduces genetic diversity in the breed
- Contributes to a standardized mono-culture in livestock
- Unethical if culling is done in cruel/painful ways
There are merits to both perspectives on this issue. Farmers and breeders will ultimately decide practices on their own operations. But ethically, any culling should be done quickly and humanely to minimize suffering.
Conclusion
While most Berkshire pigs are black, pink skin variations can occasionally occur due to a recessive gene. Pink Berkshires are controversial but are accepted by some breeding associations, especially in Asian markets.
From a practical standpoint, the skin color has no impact on growth rate, meat quality, or health. But pink Berkshires go against the traditional standard and their value is debated.
Overall, pink can be considered a natural but uncommon color variation in Berkshire pigs. Breeders and farmers will need to decide individually whether to embrace or eliminate the non-standard trait in their herds.
The genetics, controversy, and practices around pink Berkshires illustrate the complexities that can surround seemingly simple traits like skin color. There are sensible arguments on all sides of this issue within the pig farming community. The discussion and science continues to evolve around this unique breed.
