BRITIANS RAREST PIG INCREASES IN NUMBERS
British lops, Britians' rarest Native Breed of pig have increased
in numbers in Stisted on a members smallholding. 2 Gilts ( First time Mums) have
had significant litters just a week apart. The first to farrow Goosetree
Sunshine is rearing 10 piglets born on Sunday February 17 and in the next
door stable Stisted Pride, a home bred gilt, is rearing 11 born on Monday
February 25.
Each litter was sired by a different boar to maintain as much
genetic diversity as possible in this rarest of rare breed pigs. Each was mated
3 months 3 weeks and 3 days prior to farrowing.
It is too early to tell if any will go on to be used for breeding
but any not used for breeding go on to produce high quality traceable pork for
local specialist outlets. The piglets are allowed to suckle much longer than in
more commercial herds and will gradually be introduced to feed produced by Essex
millers Marriages. They are reared slowly on traditional rations before going a
short distance to one of the few small local slaughter houses left in Essex at
Ranks Green.
