THE American guinea hog is a heritage breed that until the last 10 years was on the critically endangered list. Originally found in the south, this vigorous little pig was found on many small farms. It served multiple purposes. It acted as a yard/ barn guard. Killing and eating poisonous snakes, mice, rats and other vermin. This allowed the children to be able to safely play outside. Due to the guinea hogs friendly and outgoing personality, the children were able to play alongside this gentle pig. It also was used for slaughter. Being a small pig allowed the farmers to have smaller, more manageable amounts of meat before refrigeration was available. It is able to sustain and even gain weight and grow on forage, made the guinea hog very cheap to feed, so a farm could easily raise several of this breed more economically. It's smaller size also made it easier to house, handle and butcher, as they didn't haul them off back then. Due to the gentle nature, it is also common practice to raise piglets, sows and boars all in communal pens. The sows are excellent laid back mothers who will willingly nurse any hungry piglet, hers or not, and the boars are very gentle with the babies as well. Lastly the AGH provided copious amounts of tender white lard. Several pounds of lard could easily be obtained from one pig, providing enough baking and frying lard for a family while still having some left over to coat hanging meat in the summer to protect the outside from insects. So, as you can see, this smart little pig had a very important part in the farms of yester year. Today the AGH has been brought back to a thriving number. While this pig will not fill your freezer full, it will put apx 60-75# (sometimes more) of the most wonderful tasting pork you have Ever had the pleasure to sink your teeth into. The meat, is a dark red, with marbling throughout, and a beautiful layer of melt in your mouth fat that keeps the meat tender and moist. One of the very amusing facts about this pig is the ability to butcher in tack boars (I know, I can already see you crinkling your nose) and not have that famous and not so welcomed "boar taint" flavor). Even a breeding boar. This allows the, ability to skip the castration process, allowing the animal a stress free beginning.
While the price of pork is down and feeder pigs as well is down, I personally have had no problems selling these hardy little fellows, in fact the price for them continues to escalate due to the rising demand for a true gourmet pork. So in the words of Paul Harvey, "and now you know the rest of the story."
While the price of pork is down and feeder pigs as well is down, I personally have had no problems selling these hardy little fellows, in fact the price for them continues to escalate due to the rising demand for a true gourmet pork. So in the words of Paul Harvey, "and now you know the rest of the story."