What are the Idaho Pasture Pigs?
Idaho Pasture Pigs, or IPPs, are pig breed developed by crossing 3 other pig breeds, Duroc, Old Berkshire, and the Kunekune. Developed in 2006, by a homestead family in Idaho for their gentle personalities, medium sized build as adults with similar birth to butcher growth rates as the traditional meat pigs.
These medium size pigs are considered by many to be the perfect pig homesteaders that wish to raise their own pork. They are true “grazing” pigs who thrive with rotational grazing practices. With sufficient minerals, IPPs, unlike other pig breeds, will not root the ground and destroy the pasture.
Due to their smaller size and gentle nature the IPPs makes excellent mothers. My sows have their piglets out in their huts. The piglets get to start running outside as soon as they figure out how to follow mom out of their shelter. They are healthy happy pigs with no need for medications or antibiotics.
Locking the sows up in farrowing pens where they cant move for 2 months is NOT the way my pigs are treated. Commercial mass production of pork has lead to the accepted abuse of hundred of thousands of pigs so you can buy bacon at the store.
Idaho Pasture pigs can be raised in a homesteader’s way. They thrive in larger pens or in fields where they have room to roam. My pigs thrive on soaked grains, garden waste and produce scraps. I have found they eat half as much as the traditional meat pigs, with almost the same growth rates.
My personal goal is to raise my pigs in much the same manor as our grandparents used to. The more I can feed them off my own land the better. I have been very successful at never feeding my pigs commercially produced pig feed. A win for self sufficiency!
Feeder can be ready to harvest in as little as 8-10 months, weighting from 250-300 pounds. Per the Idaho Pasture Pig Registry standards, IPP sows mature at 250-350 pounds while boars mature to 350-450 pounds. Their meat are known to be more tender and richer than most other pig breeds.
I offer both feeder pigs for you to grow yourself, sometimes butcher ready pigs, and some breeding quality piglets if you are wanting to breed your own. Contact me for more information if interested.
