Foraging breeds

[doo dah]

I think the term you're looking for and want to google is "pasture raised". I also did a bunch of research on the subject and here are a few websites I found helpful.

This is the same website but two different pages. Apparantly it's moving but hasn't moved yet so you can still view it.
http://sugarmtnfarmblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-much-land-per-pig.html
http://sugarmtnfarmblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/keeping-pig-for-meat.html

And here are three more:
http://www.sare.org/publications/hogs/prod_sys04.htm
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPrinterFriendlyPub.aspx?P=G2360
http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/depts/pig_page/new_farm_archives/ideal_grazers/index.shtml

Good luck!

 

[Oreo]

I know a lot of people raise hogs on pasture, and maybe that means different things to different people-- when I think of "pasture" I am thinking of a wide open grass field that is carefully managed and the animals are only kept in there until the grass is chomped down and then moved out. My idea of using fenced in woods areas and difficult terrain for "free-ranging" the animals within fences might count as pasture-raised pork to some people.

 

[jodief100]

I always consider "pasture raised" means they eat something other than bagged food.

My "pasture raised" goats eat a lot of weeds and trees.

 

[Oreo]

Well there, see, we don't disagree that much at least in principle! Here is a picture of regions of KY:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KYphysiography.jpg

 

[77Herford]

I think the term you're looking for and want to google is "pasture raised". I also did a bunch of research on the subject and here are a few websites I found helpful.

This is the same website but two different pages. Apparantly it's moving but hasn't moved yet so you can still view it.
http://sugarmtnfarmblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-much-land-per-pig.html
http://sugarmtnfarmblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/keeping-pig-for-meat.html

And here are three more:
http://www.sare.org/publications/hogs/prod_sys04.htm
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPrinterFriendlyPub.aspx?P=G2360
http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/depts/pig_page/new_farm_archives/ideal_grazers/index.shtml

Good luck!

Some great articles there. Now I might just do it as I've been thinking about being more self sufficent. I'd probably either do Herefords or Tamworths.

 

[Livinzoo]

I pasture raise GOS pigs. I love their laid back nature and they are great foragers. Plus who can resist a pig with big floppy ears and black spots. You can check out my website www.HeritageSpotsAndFeathers.com Its still a work in progress.

 

[Beekissed]

My sis raises the Large Blacks also. You might also want to check out a breed called Red Wattle, which also do well on pasture and well with raising their litters in a herd of pigs while on pasture. I found a site that was using both breeds and also crossing them...it was interesting as they were culling for good mothering and fathering instincts while out on pasture. They let their pigs farrow right out in the fields and just culled any boar that wasn't protective and supportive of the new piglets. They had great stories and info on their now very self-sufficient herds of these breeds. It certainly looked like an ideal life for pigs!

 

[77Herford]

I pasture raise GOS pigs. I love their laid back nature and they are great foragers. Plus who can resist a pig with big floppy ears and black spots. You can check out my website www.HeritageSpotsAndFeathers.com Its still a work in progress.

Nice mud pool. It was difficult but I ended up choosing both Herefords and Tamworths, lol. Two Hereford Sows and One Hog. One Tamworth Sow and One Hog. I may dig a nice hole like that for my pigs, I already have the backhoe so it won't be much work. One day I may just be self sufficient.

 

[Livinzoo]

The pigs dug that themselves over a year period. They did a great job. I helped by adding water daily.

 

[77Herford]

The pigs dug that themselves over a year period. They did a great job. I helped by adding water daily.

Awesome