Our Free Range Gloucester old Spot Pigs

The pigs at Fordhall are all Gloucester Old Spots and are reared out doors rotating around their specific pasture paddocks.

The Gloucester Old Spot is a traditional rare breed, specifically suited to an outdoor rearing system. The breed grows very slowly and has a higher fat covering than conventional pork, but this is why our pork has so much flavour. We are regularly told by customers that this is the best pork they have ever tasted. Plus it makes amazing crackling.

The pigs tend to farrow (give birth) outdoors in their own arc although occasionally in cold weather we will bring a pregnant sow into the barn for farrowing and then she will return to pasture once the piglets are strong enough. The piglets then tend to stay on the sow for 8-10 weeks when they are weaned and moved into a paddock of their own, giving the mother a well earned rest.Unlike the cattle and sheep, our pigs do use a building for shelter. These are left open and the pigs use them as and when they wish.

Our pigs stay on the farm until they are around 6 months of age. Once big enough I take the animals to the abattoir myself so I can be sure they are not stressed and treated with the respect they deserve.

As you can probably tell we take pride in rearing animals naturally and therefore, do not give any additives, growth promoters or routine antibiotics at any stage of the animals life. There aren't many farms that can genuinely make this claim; we’re one of the few.

If you have any more questions regarding our farming system or the way in which our livestock are reared please email the farm.