Livestock

Cattle, pigs, sheep and goats are often seen wandering about the roads of Corsica. These animals are free to wander and find their food anywhere that is not enclosed. During and after breeding, livestock are kept penned in but for most of the year they wander at liberty. It is up to garden owners to keep their plots well defended. Pigs and goats in particular cause problems, eating and damaging crops. Solid walls, barbed wire and strong fences are used around cultivated land.

The cattle and pigs provide meat which is used to make charcuterie Corse. This consists of special types of ham and sausages which are a regional speciality. Cheeses are made from both goat and sheep milk.

Pigs are descended from both wild and domesticated types. Some have the distinctive striped markings of wild pigs and occasionally a piglet will look like a classic 'wild boar'. Such piglets are often kept as pets until they become too large. For most of the year pigs are found wandering about the roads, woods and open land. They are attracted to rubbish dumps and picnic sites for obvious reasons This photograph was taken in Quenza in March when the pigs were kept in a field with their young piglets.

Sheep and goats wander about the woods and open land away from the village. Lead animals wear bells so that shepherds can easily find them. They are not watched continually, but shepherds go up to look over them and move them. Goats are hobbled to prevent them from climbing walls. The photograph was taken in Prugna a hamlet of Quenza.