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Post by jessieinmo on Mar 18, 2008 12:08:51 GMT -5
Our farm philosophy is to help rare and endangered species. We try to make all of our livestock decisions based on this. We are also working to use only open pollinated seeds (so I can save) and we try to use rare plants as well. Here are some pics of our Red Wattle Hogs   Photos courtesy of Marian Van Beever. They are on the critically endangered list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#pigs they estimate there to be less than 500 left. If any of you know or have heard of any of these wonderful creatures please let me know. I am doing all I can to help preserve the breed. What animals do you raise??? Jessie |
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Post by plantsnobin on Mar 18, 2008 12:25:46 GMT -5
I love those pigs!!! How many do you have? We are getting ready to buy our 4H hogs, unfortuanately, they will of course be commercial breeds. I would love to be able to talk the family into the old time breeds, maybe in time. They have talked about keeping a few hogs year round, as it is now we just do 4H. My in laws have 196 acres, we live across the highway on 2 acres, my husbands sister built a house on the farm, the other brothers live 1/2 mile down the road. We bought the place I grew up on, my grandparents farm is behind our place, and one of our daughters bought the neighbors 3 acres. One big happy family-which means that if you want to do something, everyone else needs to agree to it, because we pretty much do everything together. We have chickens, and I am getting more from Sandhill Preservation Center. Some Rhode Island Reds, Red Dorkings and Partridge Rocks. We also raise rabbits. I need to get more info on the heritage breeds of hogs, my husband balks at first, but will generally come around. If there were convincing arguements for a certain breed, I might be able to get the brothers in law to see reason also. Will you have any for sale this year?
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Post by jessieinmo on Mar 18, 2008 12:38:41 GMT -5
Here is a good reason to have some in your herd  That is DW (photo also coutesy of Marian Van Beever) I can never get mine to pose like that. He is over 1000 lbs. Translates to faster growing more profitable babies. As far as having any for sale yes, but I was not trying to make sales here just promoting the rare breed. |
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Post by jessieinmo on Mar 18, 2008 12:42:01 GMT -5
I also did not mention it but they (as a norm) are very gentle. They get huge but are loving and can be taught to sit and shake, lay down, roll over, etc. Also some like to dress up! see below...  This one is sitting on command.  |
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Post by plantsnobin on Mar 18, 2008 13:00:34 GMT -5
From what I have read, it seems the Red Wattle and the Hereford should do well in our climate, and be profitable enough to stand a chance of approval with my family.
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Post by flowerpower on Mar 18, 2008 21:59:21 GMT -5
Very nice looking pigs. I love the color. I have 3 potbelly pigs- all adopted. I don't breed them. I wish they would wear a hat. I gotta look for those bunny ears.lol But they will sit and do other tricks.
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Post by jessieinmo on Mar 20, 2008 12:51:12 GMT -5
It was very amazing to me when I was first introduced to these giants how gentle they are. Now, if you put some in a corral and never touch them or have any interaction with them I am sure they might not be so friendly. We do not have that problem, my kids (all 4) wont leave them alone. Whenever they have friends they have to go see their "babies" It is rather funny when they get mistaken for cows due to size.
Jessie
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Post by flowerpower on Mar 20, 2008 21:05:39 GMT -5
1000 lbs is a big piggy. After looking at the boar's pic, I think the Amish did screw up my pig's neutering.
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Post by jessieinmo on Mar 23, 2008 19:11:32 GMT -5
I have some neutered boys as well for meat. They should not have the "large bulge" to the rear. I can snap some pics but they are smaller versions without the "bulge"
Jessie
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Post by flowerpower on Mar 24, 2008 5:46:37 GMT -5
Thanks,Jessie Do the neutered males hump the females or other things? Herman does and he, um, "finishes". lol He has a slight bulge. He was bought at an auction at 9 mos. His previous owners know alot of Amish and traded something to get him neutered. If he is not fixed, then I know to look out for any male probs that may crop up. He will be 13 this yr, way too old to be fixed now. And I would have to haul him 2 hrs to Cornell Vet. He doesn't like the car much.
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Post by jessieinmo on Mar 25, 2008 21:47:19 GMT -5
No, my barrows do not have the urge. It is sometimes the gilts that "get frisky" on the poor "boys".
Jessie
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Post by flowerpower on Mar 27, 2008 6:34:47 GMT -5
Jessie, I totally appreciate the help.
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Post by downinmyback on Mar 27, 2008 14:55:57 GMT -5
FP the age of a pig is when the male pig ( boar) is neutered that determines if they lose the urge to hump. If they are neutered at a early age they lose the urge but if you neuter one around 100 pounds they will hump. I raised hogs for over forty years and have seen barrows hump other barrow before.
If the boar has a burgle on there behind there is a good chance they are still able to produce little pigs .
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Post by jessieinmo on Apr 16, 2008 16:08:13 GMT -5
 BREAKING NEWS my website dedicated to the preservation of these awesome animals went live today. Please visit when you have a sec!! www.redwattlehogs.comThank you for all of your support Jessie
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Post by plantsnobin on Apr 16, 2008 20:14:29 GMT -5
That is a great site. I may be able to talk my family into these yet. The Hobby Farms magazine had an article that I caught my husband reading.
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BREAKING NEWS