English Large Black Pigs @ Upper Canada Heritage Meats

Took my students to visit Upper Canada Heritage Meats nr N Augusta ON (Canada) - as an example of a mixed-species farm, specializing in meats from heritage breeds - incl English Large Bkack pigs and Lincoln Red cattle. I have been in love with ELB pigs for years by photo only, so was thrilled to be able to see some in the flesh!

It was a raw day ... but the pigs were great! Recent arrivals: 28 piglets in 2 litters - only a few days old. Nothing cuter!

Spring Pics

I've been a bit remiss on keeping the blog up to date ... so here is the recent news and some pics from around the barn!

• I lost Charlotte in April - not exactly sure what happened. I vaccinated all the pigs that am; at eve chores, she seemed a bit off, which I attributed to a bit of a vaccine rx - so I covered her up in blankets. In the am she was dead. Odd.




• Nicky (the pig formerly known as "slug", she was so fat!) is amazing and svelte ... she has great conformation - bec despite being So Fat, her eyes are now clearly visible, and despite haveing Very Long hooves, her pasterns remained upright and now that she's trimmed up, she looks great! Pics below.

Before:

Now:




• My waterfowl are reproducing at an alarming rate. I had about 7 ducks from the HS - last year one hen hatched a brood, but none survived past a few days (predation, I suspect). This year we have two brrods hatched, for a total of about 20 chicks - and the mothers are hanging together with the seeting mass of ducklings. Very Cute - but so much poop! I think I will remove any remaining nests etc - don't need more ducklets ... and I'd like to get them all herded down to the pond before we get too far into summer.





• We have a new dog - Gus - a pug. Not my usual preferred type of dog, but my daughter fell in love with a relative's pug, and the rest is history. We just love him - he's so great with the kids, and a snuggly cuddle-pug on the couch in the eves.

Still more ...

More Vintage Pig Pics