Our Breeds   

    Large Black Pig

     The term Large Black Pig is not just a description of 
     this breed, it is the registered name of a of endangered 
     Old World English hog that was once very common.
     The Large Black is an orchard pig developed from the
     black pigs of Devon and Cornwall and the European
     pigs found in East Anglia. This hardy breed was
     developed by our ancestors to be raised outdoors,
     preferring to graze on a variety of grasses and 
     vegetation in open pastures. The Large Black is ideally
     suited to small farms and sustainable agriculture operations. This is a pig that can 
     produce a quality product for an ever increasing market. Thanks to micro-marbling 
     of intra-muscular fat, the Large Black is extremely moist, and flavourful.
   
     The Large Black Pig is recognized as a critically endangered species, not only here 
     but worldwide. When pork production became industrialized in the 1950s, this 
     slow-growing foraging breed was not suitable for the close confinement of factory 
     farms. In spite of its docile temperament and exquisite taste, its numbers have 
     dropped to about 200 registered hogs in Canada today.

     Boot Strap Farms is dedicated to preserving and re-establishing this valuable breed.
     Our pigs live well. We do not ring their noses, dock their tails or clip their teeth at
     birth. There is no need when raised in open pastures. 

    Yorkshire or Large White 

   The Yorkshire or Large White is also another Old 
   World English Hog, and is one of the most common
   pigs in North American.

   Development for the Yorkshire breed began in 1791, 
   it was originally developed as an out door breed.
   However, as commercial farming became more
   popular, many factory-farms have moved the breed
    to indoor facilities. Attempting to raise our breeds in more natural setting, our
    Yorkshire pigs are raised the way they were initially intended to be, outside on
    open pasture.

     Like our Large Blacks, our Yorkshires are also not ringed, docked tailed, or have 
     their teeth clipped. The open pasture allows them to root, forage and play.

     Our Yorkshire breed is also very adaptive. As we have noticed when we started with
     our original pigs they were very hairless and were not suited well for the winter.
     Their offspring however have become much more hardy and hairy, making them
     much more suitable for an outdoor life and the long Canadian winter.

    Heritage Fowl

     Boot Strap Farms is in the process exploring and experimenting
     with several breeds of fowl. It includes several breeds of
     chickens, meat turkeys, ducks, pheasants, and quail. Through
     farmers in the area we have access to an array of heritage,
     exotic, or commercial breeds. If there is a specific breed a
     customer is looking for we are confident we can find it and
     deliver it to our customers.

     Continuing with our free range ideologies, all our fowl have
     access to our entire farm. They are free to scavenge the
     property for insects, scraps, and vegetation. They interact and
     coexist with all the animals on our farm.

     We are even planning on creating a large pond for our water fowl with and island to
     keep them safe from predators.