Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:32:45 -0400WeeblyFri, 24 Feb 2023 16:39:09 GMThttp://www.furimmerfarm.com/fur-immer-farm-blog/lbpbu-large-black-pig-breeders-unitedDuane and Kelly Luzier at Fur Immer Farm in PA, along with Felicia & Darren Krock of Triangle K Ranch in Kenton OH decided the Large Black Pig owners needed a registry that allowed them to voice their opinion more freely and raise their Large Blacks on their own terms.  Together we started the Large Black Pig Breeders United on February 21, 2022. www.lbpbu.org  
 
Here is the Luzier's story: 

Nestled on a ridge within view of Sideling Hill in the Appalachian Mountains of Southcentral Pennsylvania, Fur Immer (“Forever”) Farms breeds and raises Large Black Hogs, Kinder goats, Quail, and Wheaton Maran chickens. We are committed to conserving heritage breed livestock by breeding and pasture raising registered Large Black Hogs producing quality breeding stock and pork. We also raise KGBA (not the Russian KGB) Kinder goats. Kinders are dual purpose, midsize goats, perfect for the homestead looking at self-sufficiency.

We moved from a housing development in town to a small farm. The barn was set up for goats, so I got goats. I asked Husband what he would like to raise, and he said, “Pigs because my Pap raised pigs”.

We started researching and read an article about the wonderful Large Black in Hobby Farms Magazine. We liked that they were recommended for small farms and families with their docile personalities. The fact they were critically endangered also caught our attention. In 2009, we found Large Blacks in our area after two years of searching. They were on the NALBP registry.

We have raised Large Blacks since then on a small farm and small budget. We may not do it perfectly, but we get it done! We are Christians and seek God’s advice on everything, including raising the animals. Neighboring farms keep an eye on us to see what we’re going to do next. We like to keep them guessing and amused. Our ways may be unconventional, but it’s our ways. We don’t care what others may think or say. “It is what it is”. We are in this for the pigs and their preservation.]]>Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:00:49 GMThttp://www.furimmerfarm.com/fur-immer-farm-blog/pennsylvania-large-black-hogsLitter of Large Black Hogs have arrived to Fur Immer Farm in Pennsylvania

We farrowed a litter of 11 Large Black Hogs on February 20, 2014 out of our most lovely Lady Lucille who was one of our very first LBHA Large Black Hogs that we purchased from Dealaman's in November of 2009. 

You may ask "Ok...so you birthed more pigs. Nothing new there, Kelly.  So what's so great about this litter?" 

Well...let me tell you what's so special!  This litter was #7 for Lady Lucy and she will be 5 years old in September 2014.  As a sow ages, the incidences of stillborn piglets tend to increase and the litter size tends to decrease.  The normal retirement age for a breeding sow is 4.  Most sows are retired after their #6 litter.  

Duane & I had discussed the situation ahead of time.  Her #6 litter was farrowed in July, 2013 with 10 born, only 6 born alive, 4  were stillborn which is not good statistics.  But it had been an extremely hot Summer and drought conditions at the farm, so we said "One more chance". 

It was decided that should Lucy farrow less than 7 live piglets this time around, she would be "retired".  Retirement in the livestock breeding world means turned into delicious LBH bacon, lard, pork, scrapple. 

Lucy farrowed not only the required 7 live piglets but actually gave us a litter of 12 with only one stillborn, born immediately after another fetus that had died in-utero probably during the "Polar Vortex" in January. The underdeveloped fetus plugged up the works and delayed the next birth long enough that the piglet didn't make it.

And the most wonderful fact of all?  One week and one day later, we STILL have 11 live piglets!  We didn't lose one single piglet! NOT A ONE!  That is the largest number we have ever had survive and that just goes to show you what fantastic mothering skills the Large Blacks, especially our Lady Lucille, have achieved! 

Love my Pennsylvania Large Black Hogs!!

]]>Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:44:40 GMThttp://www.furimmerfarm.com/fur-immer-farm-blog/jan-72014-surviving-the-polar-vortexI wanted to write my thoughts on the Polar Vortex which arrived at Fur Immer Farm the evening of Jan. 6th,2014.

Our herd Queen Babylon decided that Jan. 6 would be a great evening to kid starting at 4:09 pm and ending at 4:14 pm with triplets, one boy and 2 girls.  I broke out the blow dryer and bath towels to get the kids dried as quickly as possible.  All went well with the first nursing, heat lamps in place off to bed we went at 9 pm.

11:00 pm we were awakened by the cessation of the barn monitor noises. The power went out! Outside temp was already -10 degrees with wind chills of -30.  Duane had anticipated this happening and went out and started the gas generation to supply the barn with heat.  The generator lasted an hour before freezing.  The electric was restored at 2 am.  In the meantime we had 3 little goats in the house trying to warm them in our shirts by the woodburner with kid sweater on for added heat retention.  The litte boy's temp dropped.  Once the power returned he was heated with a blow dryer and spent the remainder of the night in a playpen set up in the guest bedroom, returning to mama in the morning.  I had to tube feed him twice because the cold had left him unable to suckle sufficiently.

7 am our daughter called to say that her oil furnace had blown and we rushed to take our space heaters to her, leaving one heater in the stall with the newborn triplets. 

Jan. 8th at 1:00pm Moon decided that it was her turn to kid in the sub zero temps with twins, a boy and a girl.  Again we were forced to bring out the blow dryer and the girl ended up needing to be bottlefed.

In the end, we were extremely blessed by God!  All of the kids survived the sub zero temps.  We survived too.  Although extremely tired from the ordeal and still bottle feeding 3 kids, we count our blessing and thank the Lord for all that he has given us. 

]]>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:17:31 GMThttp://www.furimmerfarm.com/fur-immer-farm-blog/does-secret-code1Doe’s Secret Code of Honor During this time of year when we start to think about the pitter patter of little hooves running around the house and the does soon to kid. I know some of us are already in kidding season and for the rest it is fast approaching. I am also reminded to take out my copy of the Does Secret Code. To those of you that have never herd the legend of the code. It is said to be older that domestic goats, written back when man first realized that goats could be tamed and tasted the sweet taste of fresh goats milk. It was then that the code was written. It has been passed from doe to doeling, hidden first under stones and in hollow trees. Then later as people begin to house goats in barns and stables it was hidden in the cracks in the walls and hollows under the mangers and hay racks. Even though no one truly knows who discovered “The Code” (I think they were scared to admit finding it for fear their does would revolt) It is rumored that it was first found on a small farm in the mountains of Switzerland early in the 19th century. That copy was carbon dated and it was found to be written in ancient goat language dating 437 B.C. It took scholars years to translate it, late in the 20th century around 1963 the translation finally completed it began to be passed from goat keeper to goat keeper. I was given a copy a couple of years ago by an old goat keeper who took me under his wings and here it is for those of you who are new to goats and haven’t seen it.

The doe’s secret code of honor is as old as goats themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. No doe shall ever kid before it’s time. (It’s time being determined by the following factors):

 1- No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owner’s house must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and their social life nonexistent.

 2- “Midwives” must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean the time is getting close.

 3- For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting.

 4- If you hear the words, “She’s nowhere near ready. She’ll be fine while we’re away for the weekend,” Wait until they load the car, then begin pushing!

 5- Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you’re getting close.

 6- When you hear the words “I can’t take it anymore!” wait at least three more days.

 7 -You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.

 8- The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.

 9- If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you’re waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!

 10- Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too.

 Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Doe Code of Honor for the next generation of those who wait!

From Tom Kuettner

]]>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:16:23 GMThttp://www.furimmerfarm.com/fur-immer-farm-blog/new-to-bloggingGoat farming

Fur Immer Farm is in beautiful Fulton County, PA.  We purchased it in November 2008 and have decided to try our hand at goats and dairy products from the goat milk. 

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