Here are the hogs and baby pigs enjoying an afternoon snack of over-ripe pears. The 'teenager" in the middle likes these so much he laid down right on top and is eating on the side of his mouth!
Ever wonder where the expression 'eats like a pig' came from???
That is a very good question!
ReplyDeleteThe answer is... The best way to increase the numbers of a "farm animal" is to gain market acceptance for the final product. The endangerment of the breed is actually due to lack of use as a meat animal, Years ago there was a trend towards "factory farms" and highly bred industrialized animals that meet specific needs of that environment. The more natural and traditional breeds did not fit into the new factory farming system. Therefore the natural breeds start to loose favor with farmers and factory farm owners. As this happens the animals themselves become more and more rare and could eventually die out. If that happens to enough breeds there is nothing left but the highly bred for profit factory compatible animals who are more prone to disease, require antibiotics to live, cant breed without human intervention, and produce less nutritious meat.
We are working to reverse this trend by raising traditional animals unaltered for profit at the expense of the health of animals and consumers, and offer them to the market place. We raise the animals in the most natural way possible just as in the wild instead of in an artificial factory environment. This approach is better for the animals, better for the environment, better for the consumer, and better for the small farmer.
As a side note, we are not butchering our breeders which we bought. We only butcher some of the ones produced, and do keep extra breeders to share with other farms. Out of the 3 pigs we had shipped into oregon, we now have 18, two of which are going on to another farm for further breeding next spring.
Hope that helps answer your question!
Yes, answered, thanks....a conscientious breeding program which regulates those to be bred and bred to whom to keep the gene pool varied and healthy is vital.
ReplyDeleteI once had a rare breed dog...each dog was only alowed to produce or sire 2 litters in a lifetime to insure that no one dog dominated the genetics.....