Mangalitsa Pigs...

[Deleted]

I recently learned of these pigs. They grow a wool like hair and some look a lot like sheep. They are a real bred, although they are now considered a rare breed. I found a person within about 2 hours of me that has them for sale. They originate from Europe and were originally used as a lard pig. They have very little lean meat, but it is suppose to be good meat. There is a lot more to them, but I am sure if you are interested, you will do a bit of research on your own.

Here is what I am thinking...If a person has a small homestead with, let's say 3-4 sows and a boar, would it be reasonable to have 1 of the sows be of this breed? She wouldn't be meant for eating, but her babies, although cross bred, would be a high lard pig and could be used for consumption. I don't think the hair/wool would ever really be usable due to the smell...but then if it is a true TEOTWAWKI SHTF situation, I think I could get past the odor to keep warm!!

Seriously, though, in a survival situation, the lard & meat are both going to be a VERY valued commodity. People will need fat to survive...for food, lamps, herbal & essential oil medicines, etc. a single sow can produce a LOT of young each year if handled right. Pigs thrive on all kinds of scraps & feed...acorn and grass add excellent flavor to pork...ask any Italian about GOOD prosciutto (I love it)! Having a supply of lard, rendered fat, smoked pork, sausage, etc to barter and trade with could go a long ways to getting a lot of folks in your good graces if it was approached right and done only with the greatest of care & discretion.

Every part of a pig is usable....meat for food, fat for lard, intestines (cleaned ) for sausage, stomach (cleaned) for water bags, bones for tools & making winter fires extra hot, etc, etc. These add the bonus of a hide that may easily be turned into a warm piece of clothing as well as hair that MIGHT be able to be sheared and used for SOMETHING (if the smell can be gotten out), and the list goes on. I know normal hogs have a high fat rate, but nothing like these appear to offer.

I am just wondering what your opinions are concerning this train of thought. I need thoughts on this...pro & con...and yes, I know the possible dangers of having stock in a SHTF world, but I have already decided to chance those dangers. What is YOUR opinion of this breed of hog and incorporating it into my small homestead?

www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/08/03/208348598/bringing-home-the-woolly-bacon-from-hungary

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangalitsa

www.puremangalitsa.com/history.html

www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/dining/01pigs.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[ncguy]

My way of thinking there is some reason they are no longer popular. Unless you just want one too have I wouldn't worry about it and go with a proven breed.

[dtucker]

I would get one if I could. I think it has a lot of potential. I believe there is a way to get the smell out. I can't remember where I read it though. I was thinking more along the lines of shearing on a regular basis for the wool and then when it was slaughtered you could have the hide with the wool.
Cross breeding might compromise the wool and the meat quality.
If this was a work animal and cross breeding would make a more hearty work animal I would say go for it but I do not see where it would do much good in this case.
I would ask Bjarki what he thought. This looks like something he would know about.

[woodyz]

A pig in drag.

If it was me I would not. In a situation or not I think KISS still applies. Off breeds tend to have different kinds of temperament, health issues, etc. Pick a good solid breed, unrelated stock and keep good records. Live piglets will be a very strong barter item, you can get a lot of trade goods for one.

I like pigs as a meat source for many reasons, just have to keep them down wind.

[Deleted]

Thank you for your opinions...I appreciate your thoughts and honesty. I have responded with what I have found out as far as what each of you have posted, and I will say you have each given me something more to consider. Thank you very much!!

Feb 8, 2014 8:06:20 GMT -7 ncguy said:

My way of thinking there is some reason they are no longer popular. Unless you just want one too have I wouldn't worry about it and go with a proven breed.

They basically fell out of favor because they were used mainly for lard production and people turned to using vegetable based oils, so there was no longer a market for their use. They are a proven breed...just for lard more than meat.

Feb 8, 2014 8:27:27 GMT -7 dtucker said:

I would get one if I could. I think it has a lot of potential. I believe there is a way to get the smell out. I can't remember where I read it though. I was thinking more along the lines of shearing on a regular basis for the wool and then when it was slaughtered you could have the hide with the wool.
Cross breeding might compromise the wool and the meat quality.
If this was a work animal and cross breeding would make a more hearty work animal I would say go for it but I do not see where it would do much good in this case.
I would ask Bjarki what he thought. This looks like something he would know about.

A 50/50 cross produces what is called an F1, and they still have a very high lard production, but it also makes a bit more meat that is marbelized well and has very high rankings in expensive restaurants. However in a post SHTF world, a restaurant is my last concern. As far as being a work animal...a pig can root around in a garden area from late fall to planting time in spring and help keep the ground worked up and easier to manage by hand when planting season comes. No, they don't pull a plow or grind grain, but they can be used for certain jobs...winter tilling, garden waste disposal, etc. Things most folks don't think about until it's time to do it by hand and without the help of a motorized machine.

Feb 8, 2014 10:09:03 GMT -7 woodyz said:

A pig in drag.

If it was me I would not. In a situation or not I think KISS still applies. Off breeds tend to have different kinds of temperament, health issues, etc. Pick a good solid breed, unrelated stock and keep good records. Live piglets will be a very strong barter item, you can get a lot of trade goods for one.

I like pigs as a meat source for many reasons, just have to keep them down wind.

Actually, they have a rather mild temperament compared to many other breeds and are very healthy. Hybrids (F1 breeds) of a 50/50 cross show very few health issues. I am sure there has to be some downfalls for them...but there is that issue for EVERY kind of animal that can be kept on a farm.

[ncguy]

Well here's the biggest thing. Do you want the ugly thing running around the farm. . . .LOL.

Not shtf related. It would be neat to have one just to have. I have always kind of liked the odd and different breeds of farm animals.

[Deleted]

Feb 8, 2014 15:15:35 GMT -7 ncguy said:

Well here's the biggest thing. Do you want the ugly thing running around the farm. . . .LOL.

Not shtf related. It would be neat to have one just to have. I have always kind of liked the odd and different breeds of farm animals.

You are talking to the woman that collects the ugly & unwanted just because they are different! LOL!! I think they are sougly they are kind of cute...in a scary sort of way! The BIG question is what would I name it...Shig or Peep, Putton or Shork?!!

I wasn't a fan of live pigs because of the smell...until I got Miss Vernie Pigpig. I figured out that they only stink to high heaven if they have a constant mud hole to live in. If they have a large area and a place to keep cool in the heat of summer...say a fan blowing over a concrete pad, they are happy there as good as any mud hole..and they don't stink!! The stench comes from the feces and urine in the mud and them wollering in it constantly. So actually, smell is not an issue as long as I care for them properly...and since I wouldn't have any more than 2-3 sows and a boar...I don't think space will be an issue...they would have their own 3 acre lot to range over.

Besides...as far as looks go....I can't judge a pig based on looks...I HAVE looked in a mirror lately and I am no prize winner myself!!

[ncguy]

I have always liked practical names bacon, ham, pork chop and so on. .