Pigs

Our breeding sows, Bessie and Beatrix (Trotter), are Gloucester Old Spot X Tamworth and were purchased with their first litters of piglets from Wootton Farms in Staffordshire in June 2008.

In January 2009 we hired Trigger, a pedigree Tamworth boar, from Shugborough Park Farm. At the same time we also purchased two young Tamworth boars that he had sired. Trigger unfortunately suffered from arthritis and it was often necessary to massage his legs with pig oil. The sight of this huge boar lying calmly being massaged whilst two sows stood patiently watching had to be seen to be believed. Fortunately Trigger managed to get Bessie into pig before returning home. We named our two young boars Crispin and Clyde and decided to keep one for breeding, the other being destined for bacon. Clyde is now our resident breeding boar.

Our pigs are not intensively reared but instead are allowed to mature more slowly. In the autumn they particularly enjoy windfalls from the nearby orchards.

As our piglets are being reared for slaughter we do not routinely name them although one ginger gilt was named Charlotte by our two boys.

At the age of 14-20 weeks the pigs are slaughtered and butchered locally. We regularly have bacon, sausage and pork for sale. Half pigs can be ordered and are butchered to the individual requirements of our customers.