I buy in weaners at 6 - 8wks old, and fatten them up until they are 6 months. They start off quite shy, but quickly realise where their food comes from and will happily enjoy a belly scratch.
I am usually much sadder to see the pigs go than the sheep, as they have real personality. However, they enjoy a great life, and the end product tastes great. |
Pigs are the best
Pigs are great animals; intelligent, curious and full of personality.
Unfortunately, they get a bit of a hard time in modern farming systems. It is important to remember - if meat is cheap, something is paying somewhere down the line. My pigs come from a local breeder just outside Salisbury. They are Gloucester Old Spot x Large White. Pure rare-breeds can run to fat if over fed. This isn't really an issue if you are keeping for yourself, but it can put customers off if there is more fat than they are used to. The Large White produces a longer pig, which is a bit more forgiving for my big softy attitude to feeding. The Old Spot gives a good covering of fat to provide flavour and more succulence to the meat. |