Heritage Pigs

Good eats or Num Nums, start off with the perfect pig! We have Ossabaw and Tamworth hogs on our farm and crosses. And yes, from time to time we have piglets to help get you started! Please contact us for more information and availability of hog shares and piglets or you can visit our product page.

Ossabaw Island Hog

The Ossabaw Island Hog is critically endangered. Very few exist on the mainland now. The Ossabaw was in fact what George Washington ran on his property totally free, totally natural! And in fact as of today, the Ossabaw can be found at Mt.Vernon.

Early explorers brought livestock to the Americas beginning in the 1500s, including pigs that escaped or were deliberately set free in the New World. These pigs were the foundation for the historic populations of pigs in the southern United States. One of these is the Ossabaw, a free-range breed that is found on Ossabaw Island, off the coast of Georgia near Savannah.

You have seen the videos of people swimming with pigs yes? Those are Ossabaws! They are considered a lard hog, but make excellent and very sought after chops, and sausages of all sorts! And while they are on the small side for being a hog (150 to 300 lbs) they pack a personality punch and friendliness that we at Num Num Farms find amazing! For more information on the Ossabaw please visit here.

Tamworth Hogs

The Tamworth pig is a golden-red colored pig with a long head, prick ears, a straight face and snout and a long, narrow body. It is a very hardy animal, making it especially well matched to adverse climates like that of Canada where they do well even during severe winters. The first Tamworths arrived in eastern Canada in 1877 from Europe. One of the oldest pig breeds in Europe, the Tamworth is the most direct descendant of Europe’s native pig stock. It originated in the Midlands of England in the early 1800s. The breed was popular on many Canadian farms, from east to west, until the mid-20th century. It was appreciated as a low-maintenance breed and described as an “easy keeper.” Tamworths are ideally suited to outdoor production, grazing compatibly with cattle, being able to retrieve forage that cattle leave behind in the open pasture. In addition, they are very efficient at rooting for food in the forest or pasture, making them ideal for forage-based farming systems. In addition to their tolerance for extreme temperatures, they are also resistant to disease, needing little if any treatment with antibiotics and their ginger colour protects them from sunburn. In fact, Tamworths are sometimes bred into the standard breeds to increase mothering instinct and disease resistance. Sows are noted as attentive, good mothers to their piglets with litters ranging in size from six to ten piglets. They are also known for their good disposition and enjoy human attention. For more information on this breed please visit here.