Thursday, June 20, 2013

Pigs

        If you walk over the bridge that crosses the stream and onto the path through the woods to the East of our farm, you will find our five pigs. They are nine weeks old, reddish brown in color, have long torsos and snouts, and are constantly munching and rooting around. They were born in Brooktondale, NY on a small farm and were brought here last week to live out the rest of their days.
          They are Tamworths, a heritage breed originally from central England. Descendants of the English native pigs, they are good foragers. We are running them through our woods filled with shrubs, ephemera, hickory and beach nut trees. The leaves and nuts from the trees and undergrowth provide good forage and entertainment for these good natured beasts.
          Because they are busy looking for the next morsel, they can create a mud pit quickly. We like to move their pen every week or so to ensure they always have a new environment. Thus we also ensure that the pigs are part of our lager forest management plan, instead of wreaking havoc. In addition to the foods they find themselves, the pigs are fed a diet of New York sustainably grown, non-GMO grain. In the Fall, they will provide us with lean, well marbled, sustainable pork products.

-Hannah

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