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In Reward of Guinea Hogs
by Dan Oberdorfer of St. Paul, MN
There was so much typically written about the advantages of small-scale meals manufacturing. I wish to put a plug in for yet one more software in that shed. In case you are fascinated about elevating pigs in your operation, take into consideration Guinea Hogs.
Guinea Hogs are an heirloom breed of American swine. Their origins are a bit clouded. The predominant thought is that they’re the descendants of a combination of pigs introduced over from Africa with the slave commerce and Appalachian English pigs. This can be true. The early African pigs had been crimson, giant and bristly. Fashionable Guineas are black, smaller, and bristly. A second thought is that ‘guinea’ is a time period that was used within the south to indicate small, as in guinea cattle. Guinea Hogs are small. This can be true. What we all know is true is that Guineas are a breed of swine that’s distinctive to North America. They had been widespread within the American South previous to the civil conflict. When U.S. farming moved to confinement programs after the conflict, Guineas went into decline. They now quantity lower than 100 animals that I learn about, although I hope and imagine that there are different breeders on the market that I’m unaware of. They’ve an extended American historical past, they usually have genetics distinct sufficient that the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has them on the vital listing in want of conservation.
Guineas are a landrace breed. This isn’t to be confused with Danish Landrace pink manufacturing hogs. Small ‘l’ landrace implies that they developed by adapting to their atmosphere – the best way nature selects. Within the 18th and nineteenth centuries Guineas had been free rangers. They scrounged for their very own meals. Those who had been good moms had good litters. Relatively than farmers selecting the traits to breed again, which we do now, Guineas bred within the woods. The succesful survived. What this leaves us with is a lard breed of swine which does nicely on low grade forage; a smaller, good natured animal that does nicely outdoors. The proper pastured pork for a smaller or homestead operation.
Guineas prime out at about 200 lbs. This isn’t large. You’ll not get wealthy promoting Guineas to market. However it’s a pig that won’t price you a lot on the entrance finish. They’ve good parasite resistance. You don’t want a squeeze chute to present your boar a shot. One animal would, in a house grown or direct advertising and marketing state of affairs, present a very good quantity and number of meat for one household. They’re a lard breed. Should you over feed them a business ration or wealthy meals they may get fats. I feed mine on pasture and backyard waste for half the 12 months, after which a business ration and complement with hay within the winter to fill them up. They’re a pleasant animal, as pigs go. Due to their pleasant nature, petting zoos saved them and are one of many causes this breed is just not extinct. Presently there are solely about 5 breeders who increase this pig. Previous efforts to revive curiosity within the breed had relied on traits just like the pet and unique pig market. These type of got here and went. It’s my perception that Guineas ought to be preserved and promoted for what they’re good at, being good, small-scale, pasture raised hogs. In case you are fascinated about elevating pigs in your smaller operation, give a thought to Guineas. Should you dwell close to an individual who raises Guineas, give them a style. For me anyway, it is a pig that matches my politics and is why I received into farming within the first place.
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