What Pigs Eat Matters

What pigs eat matters just as much as how they live. At The Crow’s Croft, we feed our pigs a non GMO barley wheat and pea based diet because it supports animal health, steady growth, and the quality of pork we are proud to put on our customers’ tables.

This choice is intentional. It is not the easiest or cheapest option, but it aligns with how we believe animals should be raised.

Why Feed Choices Matter

Feed influences growth rate, digestion, fat quality, and flavor. In many conventional systems, pigs are fed rations designed to push rapid growth. Efficiency is prioritized over long term health.

We take a slower approach. Our feeding program is designed to support balanced nutrition, healthy digestion, and consistent growth that works in harmony with pasture raised living.

Why We Choose Barley Wheat and Peas

Barley, wheat, and peas provide a well rounded nutritional profile for pigs.

Barley supports steady energy without sharp spikes. Wheat contributes digestible carbohydrates and protein. Peas add plant based protein without relying on soy. Together, these ingredients create a ration that is easier on digestion and better suited for pigs raised outdoors.

This blend supports healthier fat development and overall animal well being.

Why We Avoid Corn and Soy

Corn heavy diets can lead to excessive fat without depth of flavor. Soy is one of the most common feed allergens and can be harder for pigs to digest, especially in pasture systems.

By feeding a corn and soy free diet, we promote better gut health, steadier growth, and improved fat quality.

Why We Do Not Feed Fish Meal

Fish meal is sometimes added to pig feed as a concentrated protein source to encourage faster growth.

We choose not to feed fish meal because strong flavored ingredients can carry through into pork fat and meat. Fish meal can contribute to off flavors that distract from the clean rich taste pork should have.

Avoiding fish meal helps us maintain consistency in flavor and fat quality across all our pork products.

Why We Do Not Feed Food Scraps

Pigs are often portrayed as animals that will eat anything. While they are omnivores, that does not mean all feed sources support good health or good pork.

We do not feed food scraps because scrap diets can be inconsistent and unpredictable. Nutritional balance matters, especially for pigs raised on pasture and growing at a natural pace.

By feeding a controlled and thoughtfully balanced ration, we ensure our pigs receive consistent nutrition that supports digestion, growth, and meat quality.

Feeding Pigs in Central Oregon

Raising pigs in Central Oregon requires adaptability. Seasonal weather, regional feed availability, and higher input costs all factor into our decisions.

Choosing a non GMO barley wheat and pea diet and avoiding fish meal and food scraps takes planning and commitment, but it supports animal health and fits our approach to sustainable farming in this region.

Transparency From Our Farm to Your Table

We believe transparency matters. People deserve to know how their food is raised and what animals are fed.

When you buy pork from The Crow’s Croft, you are choosing pasture raised pork from pigs fed a non GMO barley wheat and pea diet without corn, soy, fish meal, or food scraps.

Why We Choose the Harder Path

Feeding pigs this way costs more and requires more effort. It is not the fastest route to market.

But it produces better pork and supports healthier animals and land.

For us, that makes it worth it.