There are many breeds to choose from when you want to raise pigs on your homestead. And although there is no “right” breed per say, there are definitely breeds you want to steer clear from and ones that you will benefit greatly from, depending on your situation.
In this section we will look some of the top breeds homesteaders raise.
Berkshire
About this breed:
The Berkshire pig is a medium to large sized animal. They have white points on the feet, nose and tail. They have relatively short legs, and have prick ears, and a relatively short snout with an upturned nose.
Berkshire pork is famous for juiciness, flavor and tenderness, is pink-hued and heavily marbled. The meat is rich in high fat content which makes it suitable for long cooking and high-temperature cooking.
Berkshires love to root and dig, making them a great choice if you need land clear or rocks turned up.
Their docile personality makes them a great choice for your farm!
Weather tolerance:
Adapts well to many different climates and weather conditions. Tolerance is HIGH.
Grow out time:
Approx 180 to 195 days from birth to finish weight.
Finished weight:
250 pounds.
Large black
About this breed:
The Large Black is a heritage pig breed that is known for its unique characteristics and exceptional meat quality.
Large blacks live up to their name and grow to very large sizes! They also carry around huge black ears that cover most of their face. These pigs love to forage and root around, and are known to be raised exclusively on forage if need be.
Today, the Large Black Pig is considered a rare breed, and is valued by farmers and consumers alike for its hardiness, adaptability, and docile nature.
Weather tolerance:
Adapts well to many different climates and weather conditions. Tolerance is HIGH.
Grow out time:
185 to 200 days from birth to finish weight.
Finished weight:
250 pounds.
Tamworth
About this breed:
The Tamworth is a ginger coloured pig with a long neck and legs, deep sides but narrow back. Tamworth pigs may also appear muscular and firm and have great foot structure. They are generally docile and kind and work well in pens with other pigs.
These pigs are medium to large in size, and are known for their long bodies.
Weather tolerance:
Adapts well to many different climates and weather conditions. Tolerance is HIGH.
Grow out time:
Approx 180 to 195 days from birth to finish weight.
Finished weight:
250 pounds.
Mangelicia
About this breed:
The mangelicia breed is a special breed of pig and its pork is known as the “kobe beef in the pig world”. These pigs are the only breed of pig that are fully covered in thick curly hair!
Mangelicias are related to the wild boar but their temperaments are docile and aren’t usually aggressive.
Weather tolerance:
Adapts very well to many different climates and weather conditions. Tolerance is VERY HIGH.
Grow out time:
When it comes to the Mangelicia the grow out period isn’t an exact science as it is with other pig breeds. These pigs are famous for their buttery fat, so the bigger you raise them, the more fat they produce. You can have your pig taken to butcher at 250 pounds or at 800 pounds depending on what you desire.
The grow out time for this breed is longer, reaching a minimum of 15-20 months from birth to be pig enough to make it worth it for your endeavour.
Finished weight:
250 to 800 pounds.
KuneKune
About this breed:
This mid size breed has seen a rise in popularity over the last several years and for good reason! If you want a pig that would rather graze, instead of root and dig, these are the pigs for you.
Kunekunes are stout pigs with short necks and legs, and a face that looks like its been whacked with a pan on an episode of Teletoons! Unlike other breeds, these pigs can also be born with wattles, which grow under the jowl.
This breed is famous for being extremely docile and good with children and other livestock. They are generally very happy animals.
Weather tolerance:
Adapts fairly well to different climates and weather conditions. Tolerance is MEDIUM.
Grow out time:
Approx 365 to 550 days.
Finished weight:
Between 200 to 250 pounds.
Micheons personal opinion on breeds:
If you’re new to raising pigs I recommend starting with the heritage breeds of Berkshire, Tamworth, or some type of mix of several fast growing breeds.
Although it’s perfectly fine to start out with any pig breed, it’s always nice to see the results of your effort and reap the rewards of your hard work in a timely manner!
If you want to put in the time and money to raise up the slower growing breeds like the Mangelicia or the KuneKune I won’t discourage you in doing so, just remember; a slower growing pig doesn’t eat less food. So budget your money and your time accordingly.
