Hogs for meat

[CrealCritter]

What's the best breed of hog for meat?

 

[NH Homesteader]

That is a loaded question to which you will not find a simple answer. Depends on what you're looking for in your meat and what's around you for breeds, and a whole bunch of other things. Do you care if they're heritage breeds?

I am personally pretty impressed with Duroc/Old Spot crosses. But I've heard Large Blacks are fantastic, and Berkshires are supposedly great. Just stay away from Yorkshires and mass produced hogs, they'll have low fat and not do well on the homestead.

 

[CrealCritter]

Yes would prefer heritage breeds. Guess I have some studying to do... Good thing it's winter. Seems like I have like no time during the spring / summer / fall. I'm always running wide open.

 

[baymule]

Our first pigs were Large Black/Berkshire crosses and the meat was very good. The second pigs were Red Wattle and their meat was very good also. The latest were grown hogs, mixed ??? We kept them 36 days, fed whole corn soured in goat milk whey. They were delicious!

I think the next time we raise hogs, the last month I will feed them soured corn.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Honestly I don't think it matters much. I've never heard a bad thing about any of the heritage breeds so just see what's around you. Try a few out over the next few seasons and see what your favorite is. The Old Spot is delicious but they tend to get overly fatty if you overfeed them, as they do have a higher proportion of fat in the first place (which is what makes them delicious).

 

[CrealCritter]

Honestly I don't think it matters much. I've never heard a bad thing about any of the heritage breeds so just see what's around you. Try a few out over the next few seasons and see what your favorite is. The Old Spot is delicious but they tend to get overly fatty if you overfeed them, as they do have a higher proportion of fat in the first place (which is what makes them delicious).

Old Spot what's up with those funky ears? :Lol

Google image

 

[NH Homesteader]

They're adorable! And sweet, I love them.

 

[baymule]

Flop ears are cute!

 

[CrealCritter]

Ok - if you say so.

 

[CrealCritter]

Why don't I have a pig pen already?

https://carbondale.craigslist.org/grd/d/christmas-special-on-pigs/6433810973.html

https://carbondale.craigslist.org/grd/d/pigs-forsale/6411699236.html