The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Dundonald hens on November 06, 2010, 08:49:52 pm

Title: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: Dundonald hens on November 06, 2010, 08:49:52 pm
I have measured and weighed the piggys using Weight (Kg) = (L x G x G) ÷ 13781 (cm) ??
This gets them to 84kg i wouldnt say they look fat they look quite muscley from running about.
The other problem I have is I found a aboitior only 10 miles away from where I stay and they say they will not do pigs over 95kg has anyone any idea why this is ?? and would the pigs be ok to go at this weight ??
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: gavo on November 06, 2010, 09:20:34 pm
How old are they? Boars ? Gilts ? Many slaughter houses have equipment with set weight /size limits some of the more old fashioned /traditional places work on a more manual system so have no limits. The weight you have worked out sounds fine to slaughter at you will get plenty of meat from that size carcass.
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: Dundonald hens on November 06, 2010, 09:28:54 pm
Hi thye are bors and are large blavk tamworth crosses and i think they are about 5 months old maybe ??
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: HappyHippy on November 06, 2010, 10:10:43 pm
They'll be fine to go now, or keep them for another couple of weeks if you can (butchers, especially are sometimes very busy in December though so it's worth checking with them)
This thread gives loads of info
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=7828.0 (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=7828.0)
The guys at Wishaw told me if they were over a certain weight the carcass had to be skinned  ??? Maybe that's why your place doesn't take them ?
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: Eve on November 07, 2010, 10:07:16 pm
Skinned??? Anybody who would know why??
Just sounds really odd, doesn't it? Maybe he meant they had to go on a diet first  ;D

Your pigs sound the right weight for their age and ready to go, Dundonald, have you booked them in yet for both abattoir and butcher? They get very busy this time of year, you might have to wait until January but the pigs won't get that much bigger in cold weather anyway.


Eve  :wave:
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: Dundonald hens on November 08, 2010, 11:25:33 am
There is a abatoir in Ardrosan who said as long as I phoned and booked them the week before i would be fine and that was the other day and they told me they are £25 each including delivery to the butcher
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: robert waddell on November 08, 2010, 01:57:37 pm
if the carcases are too big for the scolding tanks the pigs can't fit in them as this is the way they take off the hairs, different slaughter houses have different sizes of tanks. Dunblane takes up 125kilos live weight and Shotts only take upto 100 kilos live weight. St Andrews does fully grown (250k) sows and boars. The reason for skinning is the carcase is it is too big for the tanks and not allowed to get hairy carcases back. I do hope that this is of benefit to you.
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: Eve on November 08, 2010, 02:38:49 pm
Quote
The reason for skinning is the carcase is it is too big for the tanks and not allowed to get hairy carcases back.

Ah right, I see, thanks. Blimey. Wonder how experienced these guys are at skinning...


Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: Hilarysmum on November 08, 2010, 05:06:49 pm
. St Andrews does fully grown (250k) sows and boars.

Thats Big Hilary on a diet then ................  ;D
Title: Re: Time for slaughter ?
Post by: Dundonald hens on November 20, 2010, 07:52:05 am
I have measured and weighed the piggys using Weight (Kg) = (L x G x G) ÷ 13781 (cm) ??
This gets them to 84kg i wouldnt say they look fat they look quite muscley from running about.
The other problem I have is I found a aboitior only 10 miles away from where I stay and they say they will not do pigs over 95kg has anyone any idea why this is ?? and would the pigs be ok to go at this weight ??
It would have helped if i put the measurements in the right order !!!