AlbertaChickensEtc

I bought a side of Berkshire pig a month ago from a fellow who raises them here in Metchosin and it's YUMMY! Claimed to be the 'kobi' of the pig world. Sells for $4/pound here - pasture raised. The guy gets the bacon and ham cured here on the Island too. NONE of those nasty chemicals and boy you sure can taste the difference.

I used to raise Tams .... good pigs .. good mothers ... good ham!

Have Tamworths but am in the process of importing more from the UK as the breed pool here is just too tight - cannot find an unrelated boar.  Tamworths are great characters - nice long red pigs, the most "grazing" of the pigs - I know - I have mixed breed pigs and all they seem to do is root. Tamworths fell out of popularity because they are an active, curious pig and lose their minds in small pens.  They have litters of 9 to 14, not the required 20 piglets many intensive pig farms like.  They grow a little more slowly than commercial pigs.  They like to be out and about and eating grass most of the summer.  I find them friendly, gentle and very intelligent.  Also a lovely mild white pork, not fatty but not too lean either.

Next litter in late August will be Tamworth-Berkshire cross, a good cross.  I hope baby British boars will arrive September.

See earlier threads about required pens for pigs etc.

Let me know if you want names of breeders - there is at least one in Alberta and one on Vancouver Island, but that's about it for west of Ontario.