Gloucester Old Spot

The sow, Doris, and her seven piglets arrived at the farm on 29th June 2009. Doris was about 2 1/2 years old and weighed about 200kgs. The piglets, which were her 3rd litter, were only a few weeks old and consist of two sows and five boars. The sows will be kept for breeding but the boars will go to market at around 26 to 28 weeks. Although we tend not to name the animals, for all Star Trek fans, the piglets have earned their nicknames of 1 of 7, 2 of 7 etc, due to their individual spot numbers.

The breed originated around the Berkeley Vale area, on the southern shores of the river Severn. It was usually kept in the cider and Perry pear orchards of the area and on the dairy farms. Windfall fruit and waste from the dairies supplemented its grazing habit. Local folklore says that the spots on its back are bruises from the falling fruit. Besides its correct title and variations such as 'Gloster Spot' or just 'Old Spot', the breed is also known as 'The Orchard Pig' and 'The Cottager's Pig'. Little is recorded of the breed's development but seems to conclude that it was derived from crossing the original Gloucestershire pig - a large, off-white variety with wattles hanging from its neck, with the unimproved Berkshire, a sandy-coloured prick-eared pig with spots.

This breed is on the rare breed list as it was nearly wiped out due to marketing pressure. No one wanted the meat because it was fattier than the whites and the skin markings were not in favour. The last breeder, who saved these pigs, was even attempting to breed out the spots to make the meat more marketable. The Pig Breeders association set a ruling that if the pig had less than 5 spots, it could not be classified as a Gloucester Old Spot.

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Average Life Span: 5-10 years
Gestation Period: 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days. (115 days)
Weaning Age: 8 weeks

Vietnamese Pot Bellied

The pot-bellied pig is a breed of domesticated pig originating in Vietnam with fourteen sub-species. Considerably smaller than standard European or American farm pigs, most adult pot-bellied pigs are about the size of a medium- or large-breed dog, though their bodies are denser at a weight of 27 to 136 kg (60 to 300 lb). Pot-bellied pigs can be easily discerned from other pig breeds by their size, upright ears and straight tail. Pigs with fat rolls over their eyes or a belly that touches the ground are easy visual indicators that the pig is overweight. Although they have a pot belly and a swayed back, these are not indicative of weight. Pigs in proper weight still have the sway and belly, but the hip bones can easily be felt with minimal pressure and the eyes (whole socket) should be easily visible.

Because pot-bellied pigs are in the same species as ordinary farmyard pigs and wild boars, they are capable of interbreeding. The Swedish Agriculture Ministry has been assisting Vietnam with its pork production by introducing large breeds of pigs into Vietnam since the mid-1980s.

Average Life Span: 12-15 years
Gestation Period: 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days. (115 days)
Weaning Age: weeks