Dark Ages and Medieval Livestock?

[Argonor]

DO we have picture references for the various types of livestock (pigs, chicken, cows, sheep (I know of the Manx), etc.) that were common in the Dark Ages and later Medieval times, please?

And, more important, are 28mm (or compatible) minis available (I know the Gripping Beast stuff, am looking for more alternatives)?

I am at the point in my Dark Ages project where I need to start adding all that kind of bits and bobs, including pig pens and dung heaps.

I may have asked similar questions before, for which I apologize, but my butterfly mind has had me shift focus from the Dark Ages project many times since, but now I am determined to get a hamlet/farmstead finished for my Blood Eagle, and later SAGA games.

[Banderium]

I think you can find something useful in the Mirliton catalog: link

[Argonor]

I think you can find something useful in the Mirliton catalog: link

Yes, thanks. I am wondering about the difference between the Mirliton pigs and the Gripping Beast pigs, though... when did the fat, short type get introduced/cultivated/bred, as opposed to the leaner, much more hairy one with the hair crest? (And where?)

[tin shed gamer]

There's also the dark age items.
I made for 1st Corps miniatures. Which includes a farmstead ,ovens ,dung heaps,haystacks, and a useful flock of long haired sheep. Its a single resin block of 47 sheep. There will soon be a similar model for both cattle ,and goats.I've not actually been asked to make pigs.
Mark.

[Argonor]

There's also the dark age items.
I made for 1st Corps miniatures. Which includes a farmstead ,ovens ,dung heaps,haystacks, and a useful flock of long haired sheep. Its a single resin block of 47 sheep. There will soon be a similar model for both cattle ,and goats.I've not actually been asked to make pigs.
Mark.

Thanks, I may need those civvies when I have painted up my Foundry civilians, in addition to the last GB ones I have. 

Some of the terrain items are added to my to-get list (I really like the beehives!), but I prefer my animals to be on individual bases for skirmish gaming where single warriors must be able to carry sheep away. 

[WillieB]

Warbases do a whole range of animals some even specific for the Dark Ages period.
http://war-bases.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=131_156&page=1

[macmod]

I would avoid pink round piggies for medieval and earlier periods. A lot of breeds were "improved" by adding oriental blood! Go for something that looks like Tamworth pigs.

[Argonor]

Warbases do a whole range of animals some even specific for the Dark Ages period.
http://war-bases.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=131_156&page=1

Another good source, there, thanks!

I would avoid pink round piggies for medieval and earlier periods. A lot of breeds were "improved" by adding oriental blood! Go for something that looks like Tamworth pigs.

I think the war-bases iron-age pigs actually fit that bill 

[Dr. Zombie]

As already mentioned there are loads of usefull sheep, goats and pigs out there. But there is a severe lack of cows. You can mostly get highland cattle. And if you do find regular cows they are usually quite big. Like modern day cows but dark age cattle was not as large as modern cattle.

I have tried to buy som 25mm cows to see how they work out. Ill let you know how it turns out once they arrive.

[Argonor]

I have tried to buy som 25mm cows to see how they work out. Ill let you know how it turns out once they arrive.

Sounds good!

[Ethelred the Almost Ready]

Redoubt miniatures have a good collection of animals.  The site is not terribly user friendly but the search function works well.  A google search for rare breeds or traditional breeds of livestock will help with painting.

[dinohunterpoa]

Argonor, 1/64 sheep may be not the best models around, but they are very cheap by the bundle and suitable for large herds.




Anyway, don't forget the sexy shepherdess figure:



 

[Argonor]

Yeah, cheap plastics work well, but are better suited for more contemporary settings, though.

Redoubt miniatures have a good collection of animals.  The site is not terribly user friendly but the search function works well.  A google search for rare breeds or traditional breeds of livestock will help with painting.

Some of the Redoubt stuff is quite nice, thanks. Quality seems a bit all over the place, but some of it may be the pjs.

[Patrice]

1/64 sheep may be not the best models around, but they are very cheap by the bundle and suitable for large herds.

Good idea. 1/64 could do for traditional small sheep breeds at 1/56 scale, for example the Ouessant sheep (which was very common in Brittany till the late 19th century).

[dinohunterpoa]

Good idea. 1/64 could do for traditional small sheep breeds at 1/56 scale, for example the Ouessant sheep (which was very common in Brittany till the late 19th century).

Exactly! Dark ages livestock in general were smaller than what we have today:

http://www.medievalists.net/2015/05/study-reveals-size-of-livestock-were-at-their-lowest-in-early-middle-ages/