Large Black Hogs
Sus scrofa domesticus · Britain, c.1900
The Large Black is one of Britain's oldest and rarest pig breeds — jet black from nose to tail, with large lop ears that droop forward over their eyes. They're gentle, slow-moving animals with a reputation for excellent mothering and an extraordinary ability to thrive on rough pasture and forage.
At Foxfire, our Large Blacks are born and raised on the farm. They spend their days rooting through woodland and pasture, socializing in family groups, and doing what pigs do best. They receive balanced feed to supplement their foraging.
Large Black pork is known for exceptional intramuscular fat (marbling), generous fat caps, and deep, rich flavour that modern commercial breeds have largely lost in the push for leaner carcasses. The fat is where the flavour lives.
Order Heritage Pork →🐾 Breed History
Developed in Cornwall and Devon in the late 1800s. Once common across Britain, the Large Black nearly disappeared after World War II as farming industrialized. Now listed as "vulnerable" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
🌿 Foraging Ability
Exceptional. Large Blacks were bred to thrive on rough, variable pasture without requiring the intensive inputs of commercial breeds. They're well-suited to Northern Ontario terrain and seasonal conditions.
🍖 Pork Quality
Rich marbling, high fat coverage, and fuller flavour than commercial pork. Excellent for slow cooking, braising, charcuterie, and any preparation where fat carries flavour. Our customers consistently notice the difference.
🐷 Temperament
Docile, curious, and gentle. Large Blacks are known for their calm nature even with people unfamiliar to them — important on a farm that also hosts visitors and workshops.
👪 Mothering
Outstanding maternal instincts. Our sows are attentive mothers who raise strong litters, which matters enormously in a pasture-based system without intensive intervention.
🇨🇦 Conservation
Large Blacks are considered a rare breed in Canada. By raising and selling purebred animals, Foxfire Heritage Farm contributes to the breed's long-term viability and genetic diversity.
Lineback Cattle
Bos taurus · North America, pre-1900
The American Lineback is one of North America's oldest cattle breeds — distinctive for the bold white stripe running down the centre of their back against a dark body. They're a dual-purpose breed valued for both milk and beef, and known for their hardiness and adaptability to rough conditions.
Our Linebacks graze the open fields at Foxfire, contributing to the farm's rotational grazing program. Their presence helps maintain pasture health and supports the diversity of livestock breeds that make heritage farming meaningful.
The American Lineback is listed by the Livestock Conservancy as a rare breed requiring conservation attention. Foxfire is proud to contribute to that effort.
Heritage Chickens
Our heritage breed chickens are raised on pasture and provided with shelter, nesting space, and access to outdoor range. Unlike commercial laying hens or meat birds bred for a single purpose and a short lifespan, heritage breeds are robust, long-lived, and well-suited to outdoor farm life.
Heritage poultry are part of the farm ecosystem — they move through the fields, disturb pest populations, and contribute to the diversity and health of the farm as a whole. We also raise day-old chicks for sale to small farm and backyard flock operations.
Interested in starting your own backyard flock? Contact us for availability.