Our Breeds | High Hog Farm

Silver Gray Dorkings

Dorking chickens, with a history dating back to Roman Britain, are a beloved heritage breed cherished for their unique characteristics. Available in both Red and White varieties, Dorkings are easily recognizable by their five-toed feet and stout bodies. Roosters showcase striking carmine combs, contrasting the hens’ elegant, modest crests. Known for their calm temperament, Dorkings are amiable and easily managed, making them an excellent choice for backyard flocks.

Imported to the U.S. in the early 1800s, Dorkings quickly gained popularity for their dual-purpose qualities. These birds exhibit remarkable broodiness, demonstrating excellent mothering instincts. Their growth rate is moderate, allowing for quality meat production. Dorking chicken meat is celebrated for its fine texture and succulence, earning acclaim for its exquisite taste.

Dorkings are recognized for their unique appearance and temperament, making them a delightful addition to any poultry enthusiast’s flock. Their historic significance, adaptability, and contribution to both meat and egg production make them a standout choice among heritage breeds.

Buckeyes

The Buckeye chicken, developed in the late 19th century in Ohio, is a distinctive breed known for its hardiness and versatility. With a striking mahogany-red plumage, both roosters and hens display a uniform appearance. Renowned for its pleasant temperament, the Buckeye is a strong yet calm bird, making it suitable for backyard flocks. This breed is recognized for its broodiness and excellent mothering instincts, making it an ideal choice for natural incubation of eggs. Importantly, the Buckeye has a moderate growth rate and is prized for its well-flavored meat. Though not as common as some other breeds, the Buckeye has gained recognition for its unique attributes and resilience in various climates.

Speckled Sussex

Originating in Sussex, England, Speckled Sussex boast a striking speckled plumage that sets them apart. Both roosters and hens exhibit a vibrant mix of browns, reds, and whites, making them a picturesque addition to any flock.

Known for their friendly disposition, these chickens are docile, easily tamed, and known for their inquisitive nature. Reliable layers of large, brown eggs, Speckled Sussex are recognized for their exceptional mothering instincts and are often sought after for natural brooding. Adaptable they thrive in various climates, making them a versatile, well-rounded choice for small farms and homesteads.

Langshans

The Langshan chicken, originating from subtropical China, is a distinctive and elegant breed known for its striking appearance and calm demeanor. With glossy black plumage that gleams iridescent in the sunlight, both roosters and hens present a majestic and uniform look. Renowned for their gentle temperament, Langshans showcase both beauty and docility. Slow to mature, this breed rewards patience with a substantial amount of fine quality meat; rich flavor, with white skin and full breasts. They are a very hardy breed, surprisingly decent flyers, able to clear high fences, and are good foragers. Adaptable to various soil types, their origin in a humid, subtropical climate makes them well-suited for the Southern States. They prefer well-drained land and shelter from rain and the hot sun — a valuable general-purpose chicken breed.

Light Brahmas

Majestic in appearance and gentle in demeanor, this breed originated in Asia, particularly the Brahmaputra River region in India. Imported to the United States in the mid-19th century, these chickens quickly gained popularity.

Brahmas are recognized for their stately appearance, featuring a striking combination of white plumage, feathered shanks, and a distinctive pea comb. Roosters and hens alike possess a regal charm that sets them apart from other breeds.

Beyond their ornamental appeal, Light Brahmas are known for their reliability as layers of large brown eggs. They exhibit good brooding and mothering instincts, contributing to their reputation as a family-friendly breed. The breed’s acclaim extends to their fast growth and flavorful meat, making them a dual-purpose breed suitable for both egg and meat production.

Cayuga Ducks

Beauty in Every Feather

Originating in the United States, the Cayuga duck is a rare, captivating breed with a fascinating history. Named after New York’s Cayuga Lake, these ducks are cherished for their stunning iridescent green-black plumage, creating a distinctive and elegant appearance.

Cayuga ducks are initially reserved but are naturally inquisitive and generally laid-back with a sociable temperament, once they’ve settled into their environment.

One of the Cayuga duck’s unique features is its color-changing feathers. While they appear black when young, their feathers transition to a brilliant iridescent green-black as they mature.

In addition to their aesthetic charm, Cayuga ducks are prized for their excellent egg-laying capabilities. Their eggs, ranging from gray to black in color, contribute to their reputation as prolific layers.

The culinary world also recognizes Cayuga ducks for the exceptional taste and tenderness of their meat. The combination of their flavorful flesh and unique plumage makes them a sought-after choice for both homesteaders and chefs alike.

Indian Runner Ducks

Originating from Southeast Asia, Indian Runner Ducks are a rare heritage breed celebrated for their distinctive upright posture and animated nature. Sporting various colors, including fawn, white, and black, these ducks bring a captivating sight to the farm with their slender stature and forward-thrusting motion.

Known for prolific egg-laying in shades from white to blue and green, Indian Runner Ducks, while not naturally broody, compensate with their exceptional laying abilities. Their sociable and friendly temperament adds to their allure, creating an entertaining and lively atmosphere in any flock.

Introduced to the United States, these versatile ducks adapt well to different climates and serve practical purposes in orchards and pastures. Excellent for natural pest control and effective weed management, they contribute to maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem, providing a low-maintenance solution for orchard and pasture management. Their droppings act as a natural fertilizer, enhancing soil nutrients, while their minimal impact on plants makes them suitable for various environments.

Their animated antics and independent nature make them valuable and cherished additions to agricultural settings.

Pekins and Jumbo Pekins

Quaint Charm and Culinary Delight

Distinctive white plumage and orange bills, Pekin ducks, posess the classic charm and delightful personalities, that people think of when ducks are mentioned. Their rich history traces back to China prior to being imported to the United States in the mid-1800s. Their Jumbo Pekin counterparts, a selectively bred variant, are especially prized for their larger size and succulent meat.

Captivated by their endearing waddles and placid temperaments, Pekin ducks are easygoing and sociable. Drakes and hens alike share an amiable nature, creating a peaceful environment within the flock.

One notable characteristic of Pekin ducks is their rapid growth, making them prized for meat production. Jumbo Pekins, in particular, excel in this regard, providing a delectable culinary experience. Their tender and flavorful meat has garnered acclaim worldwide and are a favored choice among chefs and culinary enthusiasts.

While Pekin ducks are not known for being naturally broody, they can adapt well to artificial incubation methods. Their eggs, usually white or off-white, contribute to their reputation as excellent layers.

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Meet Our Breeds

Domestic and heritage breeds

Support Our Work

Meet Our Breeds

Domestic and heritage breeds

Support Our Work

Our animal naming tradition began when our boys were young, introducing them to iconic, influential BIPOC figures. This tradition continues today. Meet our animal family.

Hercules – Spotted Saddle Horse

Although not a heritage breed, Hercules is a big part of our farm family. He is not here just for his good looks (although he is very good looking)! He likes to think he runs the show around here and plays an integral role on our farm. He makes it his business to receive treats and affection on farm days – or whenever possible (Agrotourism & Hospitality Specialist). He also helps with grazing when forages get ahead of what the goats or sheep can handle (Pasture Specialist). Lastly, he contributes copious amounts of manure to our compost system, making him one of our top (On-Farm Suppliers). Most of all, however, he brings joy to our hearts and keeps an eye out over “his domain.” We’re blessed to have him.

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Gulf Coast Natives are a versatile, dual-purpose breed, producing wonderful wool and flavorful, lean meat

A heritage breed of sheep native to the southeastern United States. Currently endangered, they are beloved for their adaptability and resilience in hot and humid climates.

Gulf Coast Natives

history and characteristics

Gulf Coast Natives have a rich history dating back to the 16th century when Spanish explorers introduced them to the Gulf Coast region. These small to medium-sized sheep, with ewes weighing 80-120 pounds and rams/wethers at 150-220 pounds, provide a range of fleece patterns and colors, including creamy whites, tan, and gray browns. Their adaptability and disease resistance make them ideal for extensive grazing systems.

breeding and production

These hardy sheep are renowned for their excellent mothering skills and remarkable resistance to parasites and hoof rot. In addition to providing wonderful wool, Gulf Coast sheep produce a lean and succulent carcass. Carcass weights are usually light with little waste and the meat is delightfully mild and can be prepared in many ways. Conservation efforts are being made to preserve and promote this heritage breed's genetic diversity and historical significance, as they are adapted to the Gulf Coast's unique environmental challenges.

wool quality

Gulf Coast Natives produce a medium grade wool with a diverse range of attributes often suitable for various applications. Fleeces are open, low grease, wavy to crimpy with an avg 4" - 6" staple length and average between 4-6 lbs. The wool felts well and can be blended and dyed easily. 100% hand spun yarn makes great fabric, blankets or knitted projects on its own and is soft enough to wear next to the skin. Our flock leans toward the finer side with wool useful for soft but durable blankets and outerwear, to next to the skin clothing, like sweaters and socks.

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2024 Breeding Stock

The Sweetest Things Come In Small, Fluffy Packages

Our French Angoras typically shed their fiber every 90-100 days, (shedding patterns vary between rabbits). Whether you’re a fiber enthusiast or a fashion designer, French angora fiber adds a soft touch of elegance to your creations.

French Angora Rabbits

history and characteristics

Originating in Ankara, Turkey, in the 18th century, French Angora rabbits have a compact, medium-sized body and a gentle temperament, making them ideal for fiber production. Bred for centuries, their silky, soft fur is highly prized in the world of luxury textiles. Their exquisite fiber is often compared to cashmere or silk.

fiber quality

French Angora rabbits produce wool of exceptional quality, perfect for creating luxurious textiles. Their fluff, known for being fine, silky, and lightweight, is 8x warmer than wool and can average between 3" - 7" in staple length. We focus first and foremost on health, comfort, and security. Careful breeding ensures the fibers maintain softness, length, and high density. Breeding involves meticulous selection for superior fiber quality. Sought after for crafting garments and accessories, it blends seamlessly with other fibers and takes dyes beautifully with a little patience and care.

show & pet qualities

French Angoras make delightful household pets with a docile nature, making them suitable for older children and fiber enthusiasts desiring a sustainable, renewable source of fiber! A favorite in the show world, they exhibit excellent mothering instincts during gestation and kindling. Easily "house broken", their affectionate disposition and love for grooming provide a continuous supply of fiber for spinning. Boasting a variety of colors, each of our rabbits has a unique personality and naturally shed their fiber.

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