The new pigs have arrived.

[Capt Lightning]

Our latest batch of pigs have arrived and are in their pen. They're an old English breed called 'Oxford Sandy & Black' (also called 'Plum pudding' pigs) and were all but extinct a few years ago. Like many traditional breeds, they're not commercially viable, but they're kept by enthusiasts for their superior taste and to keep the breed going. These ones will go for slaughter in November/December at about 100-110 Kg. (220 - 240 lbs) live weight.

 

[NancyNGA]

Beautiful coloring!

 

[applecruncher]

I agree - very pretty and unusual.

 

[hollydolly]

Oh they do look like plum puddings too...

 

[Falcon]

Pretty coloring. Too bad about the fate that awaits them. But, guess we shouldn't think about that.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Beautiful pigs, like Falcon I agree it's very unfortunate to know their fate.

 

[applecruncher]

Yeah, Falcon, I tried to ignore that last sentence.

 

[AZ Jim]

As much as I love Bacon, I hate the thought of how they have to get it. Pigs are very intelligent too.

 

[Shalimar]

Poor poor pigs.

 

[Linda]

What beautiful pigs. I feel sorry for them too. And I admit I like bacon.

 

[Meanderer]

They are making pigs of themselves!

 

[Laurie]

I'm with Churchill on pigs - "A cat treats you as an inferior being, a dog will fawn all over you, but a pig will come straight up and look you in the eye as an equal"!

On the subject of slaughter, major event in our village.

One day we kids would all be collecting windfalls for old Betsy, next day we'd be queuing up for lighted tapers to burn her bristles off after slaughter.

No we weren't traumatised, we knew what animals were for.

I'd love to make friends with those beauties!

 

[Cookie]

Children participating in slaughter seem like well trained little barbarians - throwbacks of a more primitive time? I do know that watching public executions was also considered very entertaining in some places.

 

[AZ Jim]

According to research, a middle aged pig can be as smart as a three year old human being and they know how to adapt to complex environmental situations because they have the ability to learn new skills easily.

 

[Laurie]

Children participating in slaughter seem like well trained little barbarians - throwbacks of a more primitive time? I do know that watching public executions was also considered very entertaining in some places.

We didn't participate in the slaughter, nor would we ever have been permitted to.

After the pig had been slaughtered, and bled out, usually the next day, it was the normal practice for the children to burn off the bristles with lighted tapers, prior to butchering.

To us it had no more significance than burning Guy Fawkes.

We weren't barbarians - country boy or not I hated fox-hunting. Killing just for pleasure is barbaric.

 

[Ralphy1]

Glad we are on the top of the food chain, for the time being anyhow...nthego: