Ginger and Mangel's ancestors originate from different countries (Hungary and Austria) so their offspring have a very diverse mix of genes. Mangel is a pure bred Swallow-bellied Mangalitza and Ginger derives from a Blonde/red cross. So lots of different genes between them. Mixed genes often produce very attractive children. Hence the pretty piglets Ginger produced in her first litter! (See the first two pictures!).
These four chaps trotted over from the other side of the country, arriving in the midd
le of last Saturday morning. They are two pairs of a boar and a gilt each from two separate litters; all are descended from Curly, the only pure blonde Mangalitza boar brought over to England from Hungary by Tony York in 2006. But they have different mothers.
She and Mangel will continue to breed, for as long as they have the inclination, and we shall have no worries about the quality of their offspring.
However, the future is a different matter altogether.
Line breeding allows for mating father with daughter and cousin with cousin. But you can't keep doing that indefinitely. Eventually, the genes 'wear out' and weaknesses develop. It is thought that this may be one reason why the original Lincolnshire Curly Coats died out. Eventually new genes are needed. Planning for that eventuality, we have imported some 'new' genes.
These four chaps trotted over from the other side of the country, arriving in the midd
le of last Saturday morning. They are two pairs of a boar and a gilt each from two separate litters; all are descended from Curly, the only pure blonde Mangalitza boar brought over to England from Hungary by Tony York in 2006. But they have different mothers. Therefore we now have some pure Blondes to add to our mix of Swallow-belly x Red/Blondes.
These chaps have a slightly different look about them as the second pair of photos show. They are just a month younger than our home-breds but even allowing for that are a little smaller and 'narrower' with slightly smaller and more upright ears. At the moment they are the colour of paving slabs but will gradually turn more blonde as they mature.
They were tired out and hungry after their journey so slept for most of the first 24 hours following their arrival. However, they've 'woken up' now and are just as friendly and interested in chewing boots and jackets and hands and trousers and anything else they can get their snouts attached to. I think they have great promise for the future. They won't all be staying at the RectoryReserve but those that don't are destined for homes in Lincolnshire thus furthering the cause of the curly coats in these parts.
No comments:
Post a Comment