Our pigs’ time with us is drawing to a close. Both are just over a year old. They’ve had a good life…as good as their stewards could manage. Perna and Offa, our two Kunekune sows, will be culled soon. It will be a bitter-sweet moment: the bitter goodbye offset by the sweet…succulent, premium pork in the freezer.
Pigs are intelligent and personable…veritable personalities. The ranch always feels a bit empty without their equable temperments, occasional loud squealings at meal time, their simple absorption in the joy of eating. Varra, our livestock guardian dog, certainly misses the curiosities they provide. Perhaps our fowl also miss them…They seem to look a bit bemused without a pig-shelter to hang in, pig-food to scratch in/steal. Maybe they feel a little less secure. Pigs are generally fearless creatures, nonplussed by our local predatory coyotes, skunks, raptors, owls, etc. Apparently, they hardly fear the elements. The other day the ranch was hit by a powerful thunderstorm. Amidst the lightning, powerful thunderclaps, vicious wind, and blinding rain, only two animals could be seen. Everyone had sought shelter…everyone that is except Perna and Offa. There they stood, chomping down their dinner, unfazed by the worst that the elements could muster, tails wagging unconcernedly. Such a big, solid presence surely lends security to plucky yet vulnerable fowl. Heck, it even reassures their caretakers!
We rely on the good, humane services of Cameron, our local mobile-slaughter, and our hometown butchers, Western Meats. The gentlemen at Western Meats are meticulous practitioners of their craft. Everything from the time they take to discuss cut preferences with their customers, the actual butchery, the requisite aging, curing and smoking, their unique specialty sausages and brats….all is approached with care and dedicated flair. They’re great. When their artisan meat-craft completes our regenerative husbandry, the results are tasty and rewarding indeed!
We’ve found Kunekunes to be a great fit for our ranch. A smaller frame (200-300 lbs max), friendly disposition, pasture friendly minimalist rooting make them the perfect ‘in’ to raising pigs. We’ve been getting ours from Furry Tale Farm. Among other things, they raise Kunekune pigs, alpacas, and Nigerian milk goats. If you’re in our region and are looking to raise your own pigs, fill your freezers with some home-grown pork, give the folks at Furry Tale a call or text. The experience of tending pigs is a joy, the rewards delicious!
Castricum Ranch 