UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

The present investigation was undertaken to characterise the morphometric attributes of indigenous pigs across three agro-climatic zones of Jharkhand, specifically targeting Ranchi, Dumka, and Simdega districts. A comprehensive phenotypic assessment was performed on 327 local pigs, stratified into four distinct age cohorts: 0–2 months (n=85), 3–6 months (n=82), 7–10 months (n=85), and 12–18 months (n=75). Key morphometric parameters, including snout length, tail length, ear length, body length, chest girth, height at withers, and teat number, were systematically recorded to evaluate growth patterns. Statistical analysis revealed a significant (P≤0.05) progressive increase in most linear body measurements corresponding with advancing age. Specifically, the mean snout length advanced from 8.85±0.34 cm in the 0–2 month group to 12.64±0.34 cm in the 12–18 month group. Similarly, substantial skeletal development was observed in body length, which increased from 22.98±2.05 cm to 46.80±1.79 cm. Chest girth and height at withers also exhibited a consistent and significant upward trend, underscoring the breed's growth potential. Conversely, the number of teats showed non-significant (P>0.05) variation across all age groups, suggesting high genetic stability for this trait. The study concludes that the local pigs of Jharkhand possess robust adaptability and commendable growth performance under low-input traditional management systems, emphasizing their critical role in the sustainable livelihood of rural and tribal communities.