There are over 14 million pigs produced in Canada each year (source: 2016 census). Pigs are intelligent, social animals – the fourth smartest animal in the world, to be exact. Like their wild relatives, pigs are curious and love to explore and “root” around. They are also very social animals who love to play.
Here at Maverick Farms we do our best to ensure our pigs live as fulfilling a life as possible. We raise them in groups in expansive diverse areas (dirt, pasture, roots, rocks, hills, ponds etc).
How do we differ from commercial farms?
In commercial farms, pregnant pigs and sows that have recently given birth (farrowed) are kept in “gestation stalls” and “farrowing crates”, which are usually about 2 feet wide by 7 feet long. In these crates, sows can lie down, stand up or sit, and may be able to take a step forward or backward; however, they do not have enough room to turn around. Stalls restrict the movement of new moms in order to prevent them from lying on top of their piglets. However, sows are deprived of the ability to express important natural behaviours, leading to stress, frustration, and development of abnormal behaviours. Further, inability to exercise may lead to decreased bone and muscle strength.
Tail docking, ear notching and teeth trimming are a few of the painful procedures piglets go through on an industrial Canadian farm. Tails are docked and teeth are trimmed to help prevent pigs from injuring each other out of boredom or frustration in barns that lack space and enrichment. Pigs raised on pasture do not need to have these painful procedures done as their space and environment is much more natural and fulfilling.
Pigs in commercial farms are commonly left to live on cold, damp, slatted floors. While these floors keep the barn cleaner by allowing manure and urine to fall through to a collection pit below, they don’t permit use of bedding for pig comfort and warmth. Hard, bare flooring may become slippery, and it increases leg sores and lameness. Bedding not only allows pigs to be more comfortable, but also permits natural behaviours like rooting, exploration and nesting, and may reduce boredom and aggression in pigs. Our pigs get beautiful straw beds for their comfort and entertainment. Sometimes they eat it or carry it around outside - quite the sight!
In which ways is your pork a healthier alternative?
The dominant fat in pork is monounsaturated fat – the same fat found in abundance in avocado and olive oil that gives these foods a “heart healthy” designation. When pigs are raised on pasture/forest, with access to natural forage and plenty of sunshine, their meat and fat is also richer in micronutrients, particularly fat-soluble vitamins E and D, as well as minerals like selenium. As monogastric animals, like humans, pigs make vitamin D in their skin and in their fat when they’re exposed to sunlight, making pasture-raised pork particularly rich in vitamin D. Further, pigs raised on pasture are not routinely given antibiotics or ractopamine, a feed additive that’s banned in 160 countries.
How do you treat your pigs "ethically"?
Other than being raised in a natural environment we handle our pigs humanely. We:
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