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Welcome to Thorcrest Kunekunes! We are a small working farm and our kunekunes are for breeding and farrow to finish pasture raised pork. We fell in love with this breed after extensive research. Having raised landrace/yorkshire weaner to market pigs for many years, we wanted something a more sustainable size that would forage without so much land destruction from rooting. Kunekunes more than fit this requirement and they are gentle and love to interact with people. They enjoy grazing, dandelions and chicory are high on their list as well as sow thistle, chickweed, sheeps sorrel and many other so called weeds. Of course they enjoy some concentrates for extra energy and minerals. They are perfect size for a smaller farms and for todays health conscious who want smaller cuts that are higher in over all nutrients from grazing.
As well there is no concern about size if they need to be held longer before processing. This is a huge plus for small sustainable farms.
We evaluate piglets to determine if they are breeding stock. If you are interested in our Kunekunes for breeding stock please click here to go to our waitlist and information page.
As well there is no concern about size if they need to be held longer before processing. This is a huge plus for small sustainable farms.
We evaluate piglets to determine if they are breeding stock. If you are interested in our Kunekunes for breeding stock please click here to go to our waitlist and information page.
Here is a video from Jan 2021 showing our pasture, which the pigs had been on for several years, so gives a good idea of how little they root. We love the 2X4 horse mesh fencing for the pigs (as well for our goats and horses).
Current Sows
Thorcrest TApeka 3 Heart
Ch THORCREST TAPEKA 3 HEART
IKPR pedigree
Heart is an outstanding sow, easily reaching 200lb in 12 months. She was Champion aged sow in the Royal Christmas show in 2021. She is double wattled with 12 even teats. Her temperament is wonderful as she is easy to deal with and loves her belly rubs.
She produces outstanding litters. In 2021 9 piglets at 9 weeks collectively weighed 351 lbs! Several retained gilts and a boar easily reached 200lb at 12 months. Her 2022 litter easily reached a 100lb each or more by 5 months old.
IKPR pedigree
Heart is an outstanding sow, easily reaching 200lb in 12 months. She was Champion aged sow in the Royal Christmas show in 2021. She is double wattled with 12 even teats. Her temperament is wonderful as she is easy to deal with and loves her belly rubs.
She produces outstanding litters. In 2021 9 piglets at 9 weeks collectively weighed 351 lbs! Several retained gilts and a boar easily reached 200lb at 12 months. Her 2022 litter easily reached a 100lb each or more by 5 months old.
Thorcrest TApeka 11 Heidi
Heidi, the best of her dam Heart and sire Hammy.
Current Boars
Thorcrest Mahia Love
REFERENCE BOARs and Sows
The following kunekunes have made an impact on our breeding program, most have gone on to other farms to produce outstanding stock.
REFERENCE BOAR BBS Te Whangi 11 Hammy
Hammy is one big boy! he has sired some fast growing piglets for us. He has gone to new farm as we are keeping a daughter and son.
IKPR pedigree
IKPR pedigree
REFERENCE BOar WN Ru 4 Madoc
WN Ru4 Madoc
WN Ru 4 Madoc has gone onto to a new farm. We kept three of his daughter and are SO impressed with their growth rate. Two produced outstanding litters (9 and 12 piglets!)
AKPR pedigree
Madoc is one big boy being long and wide, he moves easily and readily gallops through the pasture when he hears the gate open for breakfast or dinner.
AKPR pedigree
Madoc is one big boy being long and wide, he moves easily and readily gallops through the pasture when he hears the gate open for breakfast or dinner.
REFERNCE Boar WN Mahia Love 12 Pepper
Pepper, produces piglets that easily reach 200lb (or more!) in year.
REFERNCE SOW WN TApeka 1 Tansey
Tansey is the dam of Heart and Missy. An amazing sow that produced outstanding breeding stock as well as fast growing piglets. All her piglets easily reached 200lb by 12 months.
REFERNCE SOW Thorcrest TApeka 5 Missy
Thorcrest Tapeka 5 Missy
IKPR pedigree
Missy has 15 teats and is long grass eating machine. She has great feet and legs and is always the last one in from the pasture.
Her first litter was huge at 12!
IKPR pedigree
Missy has 15 teats and is long grass eating machine. She has great feet and legs and is always the last one in from the pasture.
Her first litter was huge at 12!