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APRooting is essential to a pig’s wellbeing and omnivorous diet, and makes up to 75% of their daily activity. Using their strong snouts, they uncover roots, insects, and nutrients hidden in the soil—activities that not only nourish them but also aerate the land, recycle nutrients, and create microhabitats for other species. Plus, pigs that root are more likely to graze on grass, which helps prevent inflammation in their bodies.
Itty and her piglets are Red Wattle pigs, a heritage breed, meaning their genetics have remained unchanged since before 1925, when industrial agriculture came to be. Unlike conventional breeds raised in confinement, heritage pigs still carry the instincts needed to survive and thrive in wild or pasture-based systems. Red Wattle pigs are especially known for their strong rooting instincts—a behavior that begins just days after birth, even before they start eating solid food. While rooting has led to them being labeled “disruptive” (and even placed on the threatened species list), we choose to embrace this behavior and work WITH it.
Emma—Itty’s great-grandmother—and her descendants have been shaping these pastures for generations, building biodiversity with every nudge of their snouts, and making this land their home. 🐖🌱
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