Heritage Pigs
Our Tamworth gilts are finally here on the farm. We will keep these young girls in the barn until they are old enough to begin forgaging in our forest. We plan to allow them to excercise their natural abilities of being a great outdoor and active pig that forages for their own food on the forest floor. However, we believe that no pigs can thrive solely on forage only. We will supplement them with protein filled, natural feed until the time we are able to feed them protein rich crops grown on the farm.
Tamworth- The best bacon pig
"Tamworths are one of the oldest pig breeds. The characteristics of the Tamworth reflect the breed’s centuries of selection for an outdoor life. Pigs of this breed were expected to find their own food, especially mast (or acorns) of oak and beech forests. Long heads and impressive snouts enable these pigs to be efficient foragers. Long, strong legs and sound feet give Tamworth pigs the ability to walk for considerable distances. Ginger red coats make the pigs adaptable to a variety of climates and protect them from sunburn. Tamworths have an active intelligence, and they are agreeable in disposition. Sows are prolific, able to produce and care for large litters. The piglets are vigorous and often have 100% survivability. Both sexes of this breed reach a mature weight of 500-600 lbs (227-272 kg). The Tamworth was traditionally considered a “bacon” breed, meaning that the pigs thrived on low energy foods but grew slowly. They produced meat and bacon that was lean and fine grained. The breed has an excellent carcass yield of up to 70% due to their fine bones creating a more productive meat to bone ratio for finished meat products." Taken from The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy website. Look for their link on our links page.
What is a heritage breed pig?
More information can be found here: http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/heritage/
According to ALBC's Priority List, heritage breed pigs are: Choctaw, Red Wattles, Gloucestershire Old Spot, Mulefoot, Ossabaw Island, Guinea Hog , Large Black, Tamworth and Hereford.
