The black Alentejano pig grows slowly and needs to reach a certain age before it is strong enough to be fattened and its muscles need to be trained. Therefore, only extensive farming offers the animal the chance to develop to its full potential and quality. This rustic breed is ideal for extensive farming with acorn feeding. The life cycle of the black Alentejano pig lasts about 12 to 16 months. It is fed accordingly. After spending their fattening-up phase in the oak groves of the Alentejo, they are butchered at about 12 to 14 months at a weight of 115 - 130 kg. When intended to be used for fresh meat, they are butchered at about 90 kg of weight.

The life cycle of the black Alentejano pig is divided as follows:

• • Suckling phase: For the first two months of its life the black Alentejano pig is only fed by the milk of its mother.
  • Weaning: Later it is kept in relative freedom: the young animals wander away from their mothers and eat grass and roots.
  • The half-grown pigs are led to the holm or cork oak and olive tree groves of the Alentejo until they have reached the ideal weight for butchering.

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Characteristics of the breed

• • Type: corpulent, small - medium size, lighter bone structure, very robust and agile.
  • Skin: slate black, with a few fine, black or red bristles.
  • Head: long and narrow, almost straight profile, small, fine, triangular ears pointing forward and their tip is turned slightly outward.
  • Neck: medium length and muscular.
  • Torso: slightly vaulted back, croup long and sloping, potbellied, fine, centrally translated tail bristle with tassel at the end.
  • Limbs: Medium, slim and straight, small feet with hard claws.
  • Movements: lively and elastic.
  • Sexual Characteristics: boar with visible hanging, medium-sized testicles, sows with at least 5 teats on each side.

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