What the Kunekune Breed Standard Describes
The Kunekune breed standard describes the recognizable type and essential characteristics that distinguish a true Kunekune from other pigs. It gives breeders a common language for evaluating the head, snout, ears, wattles, body, legs, feet, coat, color, and overall balance.
Quick answer: The standard is a starting point for preserving breed identity. It should be read alongside sound structure, health, fertility, temperament, and proven performance.
Pigs Still Need a Balanced Ration
Removing common ingredients does not remove a pig’s need for energy, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Alternative rations must be formulated thoughtfully and adjusted for piglets, growers, breeding animals, lactating sows, and market hogs.
A poorly balanced “free-from” diet is not an improvement. Body condition, growth, reproduction, coat, manure, and behavior help show whether the program is working.
Why Dos Lobos Avoids Corn, Soy, and Flax
We use a corn-free, soy-free, flax-free, non-GMO ration for our pork and turkey. This is a deliberate customer-facing standard and part of how we differentiate our meat.
We do not claim that every ingredient is inherently harmful to every animal or person. Our goal is transparency and a consistent option for families specifically seeking meat raised without those feed ingredients.
How to Verify a Feed Claim
- Ask whether the standard applies from birth through processing.
- Ask about creep feed, minerals, supplements, treats, and seasonal substitutions.
- Confirm whether “non-GMO” applies to the complete ration or selected ingredients.
- Ask how the farm responds if its normal feed becomes unavailable.
Clear answers matter more than a marketing phrase.
Find Pork Raised to These Standards
Dos Lobos Ranch raises pasture-based Kunekune pigs in Decatur, Texas and serves local delivery customers across much of Dallas–Fort Worth.
Shop corn-free and soy-free pasture-raised pork or explore our pasture-raised pork guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does corn-free pork mean the pig ate only grass?
No. Pigs need balanced supplemental nutrition. Corn-free describes ingredients excluded from that ration.
Is soy-free pork also non-GMO?
Not automatically. Soy-free and non-GMO are separate claims, so buyers should ask how the complete ration is sourced.
Why is flax-free included in the Dos Lobos standard?
Dos Lobos intentionally excludes flax along with corn and soy to maintain a consistent feed standard for customers seeking that option.
Can feed formulas change seasonally?
Yes. Ingredient availability and life-stage needs can change, but farms should explain substitutions and whether their stated exclusions remain intact.