The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: ppd on May 02, 2012, 09:02:57 pm
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Having just got my first pigs (2 saddleback boys) and knowing they will do off to slaughter, I just wondered what breeds eveyone on here likes and why? I already know that I have to have more piglets before these two boys go as I am hooked! and not even tasted the pork yet! But I would eventually like a 'permanent pig' and like my passion for cocker spaniels and can't see past the breed I think I may become the same with saddlebacks because they are the first ones that I had. I would love to hear what your favourites are and why! ;D
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Hi i am passionate about my oxford sandy and blacks,they have got to be the most laid back pig on the planet and so easy to keep. Not only are they easy on the eye they are amazing mothers have decent sized litters,dont need too much feed as they do very well on foraging,I have 2 boars and they are both big softies i only have to shout them to swap pens and they come galloping up and know there is work ahead.Then at the end of it there is the most delicious pork you will ever taste, with that layer of subcuaneous fat the crackling lifts up and wow!!!What more can i say?
Arl
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Hi,
I echo Arl. We have OSB's but have also kept GOS and saddleback crosses and we prefer the OSB's. Very easy to keep, friendly and most importantly tasty too.
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Didn't realise there were any other breeds apart from BERKSHIRES learn something new every day :thumbsup:
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I like all of them :-\ ;)
My Large Blacks are sooooo docile, the Berkshire is really cheeky and inquisitive, the Tamworth has to be the loooongest pig I've ever met and a complete sweetie of a pig, I've a real soft spot for my OSB too because of her attentive and faultless mothering ability.
But if I could choose one and only one breed to keep, for me, it would be Kunekunes every time :thumbsup:
There's not another breed comes close (only in my opinion mind you) in terms of ease of management, placid temprament (my toddlers go in with them at feeding time) cheaper rearing costs compared to 'big' pigs, less damage to your ground and the pork itself, well, it's the one breed which always sells out first ;)
Try another breed next time ppd, gradually work your way round all of them and by the time you've done that you'll have all the experience and info you need for your permanent pigs (got to have at least 2 for company ;)) and be ready to think piglets :thumbsup:
Karen :wave:
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we have kept
british lops
tamworths
osb's
saddlebacks
hampshires
gos
lop x large blacks
gos x saddlebacks
kunekune's
but when it came to breeding it had to be the lops docile great mothers nice big litters a back length that goes on and on so great for bacon & pork.
but its down to what catches your eye and you are happy to keep :wave:
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Saddlebacks are our favorites, but we have most breeds, inc. OSB's and Tammys, Berkshire, Large Black, Large White, Middle white, Kune's, GOS, and even a Mangalitza. All have their attractions, and like dogs and people, all are individuals as well, with different characteristics.
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We have saddlebacks, OSBs, large blacks and mangalitzas. They're all fab but I guess the large black and mangalitzas would be our favs. Our large blacks are calm and relaxed and love a good belly rub. The mangalitzas are full of character and are quite a show stopper with their curly coats to those new to pigs!
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Large blacks are an amazing pig, fantastic mothers, gentle and best of all they taste amazing especially if you cure them. We tried curing and smoking for the first time and the large blacks came out best. We did a series of blog posts if your interested, there's nothing quite making your own bacon. http://redbornefarm.blogspot.com (http://redbornefarm.blogspot.com)
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Everyone just about knows that if you cut me in two i would have GOS imprinted right thro ;D however support for the Large Black and the Lop is really needed as they're both getting low in numbers and both are good dual purpose bacon/pork pigs. By raising these breeds for meat you're supporting the few breeders that are left breeding them.
Mandy :pig:
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I have only had weaners for the last 2 years, so not very experienced.
I got British Lops the first year, mainly because there is a very experienced breeder locally who is very helpful & supportive. I was tempted to go for OSB last year as we had a sun burn problem the first year, but the bottom had fallen out of the pig business due to increased feed prices & it just didn't sit right with me to go elsewhere, so we moved the pig ark to a more shaded area - problem solved.
I must admit that I prefer the look of the OSB, but the Lop provides me with everything I want from a pig & I feel like I can support a local breeder who does a lot for the breed. Also, they are easy to handle & taste fantastic.
Here's a bit from the British Lop society website.....
The Advantages of the British Lop:
The British Lop is docile and easily managed.
Being a white pig, it does not suffer from the commercial bias against coloured pigs.
The Lop is an excellent mother pig.
Suitable for both small-scale and extensive commercial systems.
The pork and bacon from a well-finished Lop is a high quality product that attracts niche market opportunities.
Unlike some rare breeds, the Lop does not tend to run to excessive fat if poorly managed.
By choosing to keep pedigree British Lops, you will be helping to conserve one of the rarest British breeds.
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We usually have GOS but this year we're trying something different and having those and OSB (in different enclosures). They should be with us by the end of May. I can't wait. I love them when they are small and run round investigating everything. Could watch them for hours.
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personally I like the Hampshire, tamworth, British lop, but every one has there own preference of breed.
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Out of interest what does everyone have against Berkshires. Of everyone that has posted I am the only one for Berkshires I don't understand it. ???
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Out of interest what does everyone have against Berkshires. Of everyone that has posted I am the only one for Berkshires I don't understand it. ???
I like my Berkshire BB, she's a great pig :thumbsup: And the bacon is fan-bleedin'-tastic :yum:
But, lovely though they are (and the piglets are gorgeous) if I could only pick one, it would be the Kunekune, closely followed by the Large Black - they just suit me and my set-up best.
C'mon now, no-one else has backed the wee hairy guys and you don't see me moaning (for once ::)) ;) :D :D :D
Karen :-*
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I had a pair of OSB gilts, kept one for breeding. Fantastic pork from the other. Great fun and easy for a pig-beginner.
Meg-pig is a fantastic mother, put her to Saddleback AI and had a wonderful litter of delightful, friendly, laid-back but inquisitive and interesting piglets. We've eaten one (and the two that I sold as weaners have been butched); the carcase off my own was good enough that my butcher said he'd buy pigs off me if I can produce it like that but with a bigger carcase. (We'll see about that - I think the not getting fat past 60kgs deadweight is the difficult trick with rare breeds, but I am certainly giving it a go!)
We put Meg-pig to Saddleback again as we couldn't fault the first litter.
I love the look of the OSB, and suspect the pork may have the edge over the Saddleback (but the Saddleback x bacon was fabulous, as was the belly pork, slow-roasted) but really like the easy-goingness of the Saddlebacks. (Meg-pig has more opinions than the Saddlebacks seem to - she's a love, but she can make her feelings known and will argue if she's unhappy about something you ask of her.)
On looks, the other breed I'd love to try is (please note BB :D) the Berkshire.
I am also intrigued to try a Large Black... oh, this could run and run :D
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I would say i love the Berkshire real cheeky characterful little pigs and the sweetest pork i have ever tasted :thumbsup:
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Go for it Sally you won't be disappointed.
Well done Padge, people go one about pigs being laid back that means boring in my book, you need something with a bit of spark that's a Berkshire and great meat. :thumbsup:
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It for me, may be down to what I can get locally but I actually wanted to get large blacks to start with, having read up about them and knowing they were docile and friendly. But I still think my saddlebacks are the most amazing creatures. Will be going next week to a local pig breader to check out arks that he has for sale and will also check out the breeds that he keeps too. I do love that eveyone has their own favourites, with all of them having thier own benifits - lots to think about now and lots more to ask! :D