The British Saddleback Pig
The Saddleback has striking markings, with lop ears, a black coat and a distinctive white band across the shoulders. It may also have white hind feet and tail tip.
The British Saddleback breed was formed in 1967 through the amalgamation of the Essex breed (mainly found in East Anglia) and the Wessex (originating from the New Forest) due to their alarmingly low numbers.
According to the 2004 breed survey carried out by the
British Pig Association, there were only 310 registered British Saddlebacks. The foundation pigs of the Clash Herd are from the Spot line of which there were only two registered sows at that time. The latest survey, carried out in 2007, shows this number has risen to seven with three of these belonging to Clash Farm.
The breed remains on the Rare Breed Society Trust's watchlist but numbers are slowly improving due to a return to more traditional and less intensive farming methods and consumers appreciating the eating quality and value of the old-fashioned breeds.
The Saddleback is a good all-round pig and produces both excellent pork and bacon.
Our pigs live in family groups and sows are served naturally. Sows are separated just before they are due to farrow and housed in large loose boxes with plenty of straw. This enables them to follow their instincts to create a nest prior to farrowing. We provide a gate across one corner with plenty of straw and a heat lamp so that the piglets have a safe area they can escape to and this prevents them from being crushed accidentally.