SIZE

• As feeder adults we weigh 150-200 pounds (15-18 months)

• As breeder adults we weigh between 200-350 pounds

• We are a great size for homesteads, even ones with small children (as adults we are 22-27” tall & 46-56” long).

• Since we are smaller, we take less feed to raise.

COLOR

• Most of us are solid black.

• Some of us can have white feet and white spots on our noses.

• A very rare red AGH may appear now and then.

HAIR

• We are a hairy pig!  Some of us have curly hair, while some have straight.

• We have more hair in the winter than in the summer.

TEMPERAMENT

• We are extremely friendly and docile. Any aggressive temperament in an AGH is strongly discouraged.  A responsible breeder will commit to breeding only docile hogs.

• We are amazingly attentive mothers!

• We LOVE belly rubs! Please come in the pen with us and rub our bellies from time to time.

• We don’t root much if we have access to lots of grazing and hay. If you do catch us rooting up rocks and munching them we probably need a mineral supplement.

• We are extremely social animals… If you want a piglet he or she is going to need a companion, so plan on getting at least two.

• If you plan to breed and produce your own piglets, mama & papa (sow & boar) will need companions since most of the year we won’t be living together.  Boar will need a barrow (cut male) for a companion.  The sow will need either another sow, or a barrow as a companion.  Boars can start breeding as early as 4 months, but reach sexual maturity between 7-8 months. Gilts can be fertile as early as 6 months.  We don’t like to breed our stock until at least 12-14 months when they are full grown, but you can breed as early as 9 months.

HOUSING & FEED NEEDS

• We need moderate fencing, but don’t require a fortress to keep us contained.

• We need shade, dry shelter from the elements, hay for bedding, and a wallow in the hot months.

• When we are under 4 months we can still fit through field fencing & cattle panel.  A piglet pen can be lined with welded wire fencing to prevent early escapes or made with Hog or Sheep Panel.

• We are excellent foragers and love to graze on pasture.

• All we need is hay, but we also appreciate a small amount of soaked grain, garden scraps, and RAW kitchen fruit/veg scraps (we’ll produce better bacon for you if we get a little grain & scraps).

LIFE EXPECTANCY

• We can live for 10-15 years or can provide excellent dinner for you at 12-24 months and older.

BUTCHERING

• At 6 months old we have a nicely marbled carcass weighing about 75 pounds.  Wait till 12-18 months and you’ll get a lot more meat as we’ll weigh about 160-200 pounds which will give you about 80-100 pounds of meat.

• We provide gourmet pork.  Not like you’d find in the store.  Our meat is tender, dark, and extremely flavorful (TwineTech Farmers even use our ground pork for taco meat or mixed with goat or beef for an amazing meatloaf).

• Our lard makes an amazing cooking fat and wonderful soap.

• Can you say Bacon! 🥓 🍳