Friday guest hogger is ... Henry the Middle White Boar

Hello everyone let me introduce myself ... my name is Henry,  'Henners' if the boss is in a good mood and and 'Henniee!' if she is to be avoided!

Do you know what ? It is truly the end of a very long week for me ... that said, I've  finished the week on a high and stars in my eyes - doing my bit to save the Middle White pig... and me! Read what happens when I meet a racy little number called Maggie ...

I am a Middle White boar and I am nearly 9 months old. I wasn't born at Le Logis, although my Mother was.  Father came from good old Blighty.  I was born at another rare breed pig farm in the Charente in SW France and moved to Le Logis when I was 10 weeks old. 

My Middle White bloodline is  "Rajah" and I am - quite rare you know. We are on the "vunerable" list with the Rare Breed Survival trust RBST - there are only 200 - 300 of us around, rarer than Siberian Tigers. So I am doing my bit to help increase the numbers.

This week I was so lucky to meet Maggie, a pretty little Middle White sow who told me she was up for sale, but didn't want to leave. I decided I had to save her and the only way was to get the old girl in the family way. Trouble was it was my first time ... she was a racy little number and the task ended up quite a challenge... however it ended well and we managed a well earned sleep. I just can't let Maggie go ...

Thanks Henry - we are all going to look forward to some Middle white piglets come Christmas.

The Middle White pig was not in the plan for Le Logis -  then nothing ever is with pigs - we all move the goal posts.

My husband was in England 3 years ago and was visiting various pig breeders. On his return he happened to mention that he had met this fabulous Middle White boar, (phew, thought I). He said this pig is so ugly you have to love it. (mental note possible birthday present). So our son bought him 'Bluebell'  from  Tedfold Farm Cottage in West Sussex - a Middle White sow and already in pig...  a great opportunity to introduce a rare breed into France.  Bluebell had a litter of 8 and many of them went to other rare pig breeders in France.  We kept one of Bluebell's gilts and named her Maggie. 

History shows that the original Middle White resulted from a cross between the Large White and the Yorkshire Small White.   The "Cumberland pig" now extinct, crossed with the Chinese and Yorkshire were probably the origins of the British Middle White. The first herd book was started in 1894. 

Other facts: Known also as the "bat wing" pig, because of the ears.  Very popular in London between the two world wars - and became know as the "London Porker" because it was quick to mature to a good pork pig in 16 weeks.

From our experience this pig is so sweet natured, docile and really doesn't have a bad bone in its body. Raising these pigs in France you will need some weather protection from the high sun and extreme cold however, to our knowledge it does well in outdoor systems. The Middle White is easy to handle and quick to raise to pork weight = ideal for the small holder. Come and visit us at Le Logis to see this enchanting breed of pigs.

The future for the Middle White is secure at Le Logis - thanks to Henry and Maggie

---