What's your favorite pig breed/crossbreed just to raise for meat?

[mama24]

I got a Yorkshire piglet this year, my first pig, and she's pure evil. lol. I would like to get something that is less aggressive, and hopefully less likely to get out and root up my entire yard! Is that possible? I don't really want to get into breeding, but if you tell me what you have and like I can be on the lookout for piglets when they become available locally as feeder pigs. I have seen plenty of breeds available locally, but I don't know much about the different breeds. Duroc crosses seem to be very popular around here, crossed with all kinds, Hampshires seem to be a popular cross, and spotted Chinas. They tend to be the more expensive piglets, but that's fine if they grow big and meaty and are less aggressive!

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Hampshires IMO are awful. We only had one good Hampshire/Duroc sow who is now living at the neighbors but her sisters were chicken killers - horrible things although they tasted good! Olivia, the best one, really broke the mold.

When we were doing some crosses we actually liked the Large Black/Red Wattle cross known as a Black Wattle. They grow well, have great temperaments & taste good so that would be my recommendation. Some folks like the Large Black/Tamworth cross which is called a Blackworth but the Tams are not as docile/laid back as the Red Wattles or LB's.

Liz

 

[Royd Wood]

Some folks like the Large Black/Tamworth cross which is called a Blackworth but the Tams are not as docile/laid back as the Red Wattles or LB's.
Liz

If you use Tamworth sows with a L B boar the piglets are born with L B manners (not sure if thats a fact or my good fortune) Feeding time here goes like this - purebred LBs and Blackworths make a sociable grunt, the Tamworth sows squeal at a painful pitch and our last Hampshire sow and her LB offspring growl or almost bark intimidating but better than squeals

Hey Cornish - I've replied after you on a few posts recently - I'm not stalking you honest

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Hey Cornish - I've replied after you on a few posts recently - I'm not stalking you

Hah! Not scared I'm just trying to remember to check the new posts more frequently.

Good fact to know about the Blackworth babies. Have to say though that at feeding time our LB's are LOUD! They do not growl but they can sure squeal & grunt. I swear if they could talk they would. We are feeding more milk now & if I throw some dry feed over the fence for the young pigs, they will just stare at it & start "talking" to me to tell to get them their milk ASAP. They will wait for me to pour it into their bowl. Let's hope we don't run out of milk anytime soon else they will not be happy.

Liz