OLD-TIMEY, PINEY-WOODS HOGS
American Guinea Hogs? You must have heard about them if you've made it all the way here on your journey through the "innerwebs". They are the best rooters and foragers around. And due to their size and disposition, they are the perfect hog for homesteaders with a small amount of land, or for anyone looking to be more independent with his or her food supply. Woodland or prairie, these hogs work with nature, eating invasive species, leaf or tuber, and leaving workable land that can be manicured into a more valuable pasture. Their value as both food and forager is truly immeasurable.
BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
Our small herd of American Guinea Hogs is naturally raised and woodland pastured. Registered, breeding-quality stock was purchased from acclaimed Joyful Noise Farm in Macy, Indiana. Because they are homestead hogs, our goal is to provide customers with healthy, vigorous piglets that are true to breed conformation and color, and demonstrate amiable personalities towards humans.
REARING PHILOSOPHY
All piglets born at our farm are sow-raised until 6-10 weeks of age. During that time, their mother teaches them to forage, all the while having as much milk as they want. Typically around 3 weeks, they start to become interested in food scraps and grain. To maximize their health, they receive ample amounts of kelp and herbs, and plentiful amounts of kitchen and garden scraps. Our piglets are slow-growers. We do not overfeed due to their nature as a true lard hog. By the time 6-10 weeks arrive, they are full of health and ready to make the transition to their new homes.
Create the Homestead of your Dreams
Start with piglets from Heart's Pasture
2025 ScheduleThis page contains all the information that you need to make plans to reserve piglets for 2025
|
Breeding PairingsCheck out our different dam and sire breeding combinations, read our questions and answers, and think about the amount of piglets that best meet your family's needs
|
reservation formSomeone from the farm will contact you to confirm your choices after you fill out the form
|
|
Clover x BrackenSeasoned Sow with large littersClover consistently has litters of up to 12 piglets. Combine that with excellent mothering abilities and great conformation, she has really produced some excellent piglets in previous years.
|
|
Wintergreen x BRackenSeasoned Sow with high quality littersWintergreen has had quality litters of piglets. She is an excellent mother and has no problem supporting her litters with milk production as she teaches them to forage.
|
Piglet Prices
Registered Gilt |
Registered Boar |
Barrow |
$300 per piglet |
$300 per piglet |
$150 per piglet |
Quality body conformation, size, color, and teat count, with an emphasis on personality |
Quality body conformation, size, color, and teat count, with an emphasis on personality |
Castrated, non-registerable quality, with an emphasis on growing out for food |
Old-Timey, Piney-Woods Questions
Here is the spot where your most-pressing questions will be answered. They are, in fact, the most common ones that we receive from prospective buyers. Read them over. You'll be surprised at how much you'll learn.
How many piglets do I need to get started?
This, by far, is the most common question that we receive. In fact, we feel like we have a honest, from-our-own-experience recommendation. You'll first need to think about what your goals are for the first few years, but at the same time, keep in mind that, because American Guinea Hogs are a true heritage breed best suited for homesteads, it generally takes more time for them to grow to slaughter weight. A rule of thumb is to grow a barrow for each member of your family per year, children and adults. Doing so would provide a sufficient amount of food.
If you are interested in hogs with the intention of breeding in the future and growing them out for food for your family, it's a bit of a labor of love before you get to your first home-grown hog dinner unless you start with both registered stock and barrows. Be sure to take into consideration the amount of time before piglet breeding stock has grown to a healthy size for breeding. Now consider lining that up with the seasons (we always strive for a spring litter). And throw in some more time before those piglets born on your farm are large enough for your plate. Starting with barrows right away fills your freezer while your registered stock matures. That being said, you'd obviously want a minimum of one registered gilt and boar for future generations. We recommend starting with at least two registered gilts and a boar. It provides quite a bit of flexibility (and friendship) for possible breeding stock. Gilts take longer to mature into breeding size than a boar does.
Some people want to experience what it is like to have pigs on their farm before they commit to purchasing registered stock for breeding. In those cases, starting just with barrows may be the best choice. Be sure to keep in mind that pigs really are herd animals and thrive in groups. In this case we recommend starting with a minimum of three barrows.
If you are interested in hogs with the intention of breeding in the future and growing them out for food for your family, it's a bit of a labor of love before you get to your first home-grown hog dinner unless you start with both registered stock and barrows. Be sure to take into consideration the amount of time before piglet breeding stock has grown to a healthy size for breeding. Now consider lining that up with the seasons (we always strive for a spring litter). And throw in some more time before those piglets born on your farm are large enough for your plate. Starting with barrows right away fills your freezer while your registered stock matures. That being said, you'd obviously want a minimum of one registered gilt and boar for future generations. We recommend starting with at least two registered gilts and a boar. It provides quite a bit of flexibility (and friendship) for possible breeding stock. Gilts take longer to mature into breeding size than a boar does.
Some people want to experience what it is like to have pigs on their farm before they commit to purchasing registered stock for breeding. In those cases, starting just with barrows may be the best choice. Be sure to keep in mind that pigs really are herd animals and thrive in groups. In this case we recommend starting with a minimum of three barrows.
What size are the piglets when they are picked up?
American Guinea Hogs are slow growers by nature. Naturally raised by their sow, piglets forage and eat grain and scraps, yet can still be considered small compared to more conventional breeds by the time they are picked up between 6-10 weeks of age. A group of piglets can usually fit into a large dog crate. Making a bedding of hay or straw on the bottom creates a comfy ride home. Usually they don't make a peep.
Are you able to sell registered breeding pairs?
Unfortunately, we are unable to sell a male and female breeding pair. Our breeding stock includes two registered sows and one registered boar. Any breeding pair of piglets would generally be too close in relation to breed. However, we do have recommendations of other farms that we have worked closely with that have American Guinea Hogs and could potentially complete your match.
Can a barrow be a pet?
Yes, barrows (castrated males), may make great pets. Although, we do not have any experience with a barrow as a pet pig.
Do you free feed?
No, we do not free feed our hogs. The most important contribution our hogs make to our farm is foraging our woods. They do a great job supplementing their diet with leafy, low forest vegetation, roots and tubers, and bugs. To round off their diet of foraging, they receive two small grain rations per day, in addition to plentiful table scraps, hard boiled eggs, and food from our garden.
How does winter feeding compare to other parts of the year?
Most people will be surprised at how feeding an American Guinea Hog during the winter can actually be fairly economical --even when they can't forage! Our hogs always go into a semi-hibernating state. If the temperature is below 30 degrees, they usually lounge in their shelter all day, except when we feed them or give them fresh water. They are a lot less social outside, and in turn, burn a lot less calories. To round out their diet and lack of exercise in the winter, we feed plentiful amounts of hay. Yes, that's right, hogs really can thrive on hay being a main part of their diet in the winter. We throw squares into their shelters every few days, and they eat what the want and turn the rest into bedding!
PIGLET SALES AND RESERVATION POLICY
As noted, we maintain a reservation list for future piglets born at Heart's Pasture. It's what gives you, the buyer, peace of mind when choosing which piglet(s) you want. A reservation is not a commitment; it simply gets you a spot in line. Once the piglets are born, we contact you with updates, and a non-refundable deposit of 50% will be due.
Realize that we can not guarantee to you that a specific bred gilt or sow will conceive or produce the desired sex. If your reservation does not work out, we will do our best to let you know if there are any other available spots in line for future breed pairings.
Regarding your choices, we are happy to get to know your goals and work with you on choosing the amount of piglets to best fit your needs. If you need to goal plan, we can strategize together about that as well.
If you are interested a hog specifically to grow out for meat, we highly recommend buying a neutered male "barrow". Barrows also make wonderful pets!
All hogs will be available for pickup between 6-10 weeks of age. Hogs that are not picked up as scheduled will be boarded at a rate of $5 per day.
Please note that we reserve the right as owners to retain any animal that we choose.
As a prospective buyer, feel free to email us with questions at [email protected].
Realize that we can not guarantee to you that a specific bred gilt or sow will conceive or produce the desired sex. If your reservation does not work out, we will do our best to let you know if there are any other available spots in line for future breed pairings.
Regarding your choices, we are happy to get to know your goals and work with you on choosing the amount of piglets to best fit your needs. If you need to goal plan, we can strategize together about that as well.
If you are interested a hog specifically to grow out for meat, we highly recommend buying a neutered male "barrow". Barrows also make wonderful pets!
All hogs will be available for pickup between 6-10 weeks of age. Hogs that are not picked up as scheduled will be boarded at a rate of $5 per day.
Please note that we reserve the right as owners to retain any animal that we choose.
As a prospective buyer, feel free to email us with questions at [email protected].
