Keeping the breed going

Two more litters of British Saddleback piglets in November, eight from one sow and 10 from another. Most have now moved on to new homes. Numbers for the majority of traditional British pig breeds (of which there are ten recognised breeds) have declined further according to the recent end of year census of pedigree pigs, putting them at risk. As most breeders are small scale like us, the general cost of living and costs of animals feeds in particular are putting some people off keeping rare or minority breeds. 

Once a breed is 'lost' it is lost for ever and its presence in livestock diversity. Also lost is its contribution to the overall gene pool. Traditional breeds sometimes still have the potential to contribute specific breed characterisics in the further develpment of comercial stock which originated from traditional breeds in the first place.

Anyway, here is our latest contribution to keeping the British Saddleback breed going.