Idaho Pasture Pig Genetic Background

The Idaho pasture pig's genetic background comes from three different pig breeds. The Kunekune, the Duroc and the Berkshire. As we discuss the characteristics of each of these breeds it will become verry clear why the Idaho Pasture Pig has become so popular on the small homesteading farms in the United States. Their size, disposition, low maintenance and flavorful pork has jettison this new breed to superstar statuses across the country for small farmes and homesterers.

The Kunekune is a small breed, maturing to only 150-250 pounds, are hairier than most other pigs, and have short turned up snots. The great value of this little pig is that it grazes entirely on grass, needing only to be fed during winter months. Kunekunes have an excellent ratio of meat to fat. The best pork is that harvested before a year old. Kunekunes are considered by many to be better eating than the faster grown commercial pigs.

Kunekunes come in a variety of colors; solid or combinations of black, white, brown, blond and ginger. They get along well with other farm animals like goats and chickens. One trait that sets this breed apart from many others are wattles that hang from their chin. These wattles don't appear on all the pigs but on many. People keep these pigs as pets, show them, and raise them for food. This breed is known for its docile and friendly behavior, making them great pets or fun to raise feeder pigs.

Their size, gentleness, short turned up snout for good grazing are all attributes that have passed to the Idaho Pasture Pig.

Duroc You can expect male/boar Durocs to finish 800 pounds and female/sow Durocs to finish about 700 pounds. Their large weight is amoung the reasons they are the second most popular pig in the United States today. Also known for its marbled red and flavorful meat. Duroc bacon is the perfect mixture of red meat and fat, and is the best choice if you like thick-cut bacon slices.

The Duroc breed is very sociable and well-tempered. This breed makes one of the best pets. Their gentel disposition and quite demeaner can turn this pig into a beloved pet to have around the homestead. The sows are good mothers and have few issues giving birth to litters of 10 to 15 piglets.

Berkshire pigs fit in the average to large breed category of swine. An average weight for a mature Berkshire boar will be around 600 pounds. A mature Berkshire sow will average about 400 pounds. The average Berkshire pig will be between 27 and 29 inches tall. Which isn’t very large and why they are especially suited for hobby farms and pig farming. Berkshires are known for having one of the most flavorful pork products in the world. They are exported out of the United States and marketed to five-star chefs as a delicacy. The breed is also known for having one of the best flavored bacon.

Berkshire sows are excellent mothers with a good milk supply for raising their piglets. They are attentive to their litter and care for them well. They also have a docile nature so you won’t have a lot of safety issues or worries when they have a litter of piglets. Just remember a squealing piglet will always get a sow's full attention.

Conclution: The Idaho pasture pig has many of the best tarts from its background genetic gene pool. Smaller mature size, yet fast growing to butcher weight at 8-10 months. Boars mature to about 350 to 450 pounds. Sows to about 250 to 350 pounds. Boars and sows with piglets, have a friendly docile nature. Sows have no trouble farrowing and are great mothers tending to the needs of their litter. IPP sows have great maternal instincts. The meat is well marbled, with excellent flavor and tenderness. They don't cost as much to raise as grain fed pigs if they have plenty of good pasture grasses. They don't destroy a pasture by digging large creators because of their short turned up snouts. They are a little noisy, especially at feeding time. IPPs do well in the cold of winter if you have a dry area and a wind brake shelter for them. The heat of summer is not a problem for then either. All they need is a small mud hole to cool off in and a shaded area to escape direct sun light on those super hot summer days.

If you have an interest in raising an IPP piglet to butcher size for your freezer or as a farm pet give us a call. We also have whole and half hogs for your freezer.

Three Day Old Idaho Pasture Pigs