The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: exmoorlady on May 28, 2009, 12:45:00 pm

Title: slaughtering pigs
Post by: exmoorlady on May 28, 2009, 12:45:00 pm

Hi any help appreciated. What age should our gos be slaughtered? They are looking huge. They are now 5 months old. I have found a good abbatoir and butcher about 15 mins away so they wont have to go far.
Sharon

Title: Re: slaughtering pigs
Post by: Hilarysmum on May 28, 2009, 04:01:51 pm

It really depends on weight rather than age - although 5 months seems young to reach killing out weight if they are traditional breeds on the other hand our neighbour's intensive pigs go at about 16 weeks.  Try weighing them first, ideally they should be around 65 - 70 kg live weight.  (There is a thread with how to weigh a pig on here somewhere).

Title: Re: slaughtering pigs
Post by: dixie on May 28, 2009, 04:14:34 pm

My gos go at 22 weeks, so you're not far off! although my friends 3  earlier this year were huge at that age. you can measure them to work out weight, I'll see if I can find it!

Title: Re: slaughtering pigs
Post by: dixie on May 28, 2009, 04:17:19 pm

Here you go;
http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/541/weighing-a-pig-without-a-scale

Title: Re: slaughtering pigs
Post by: exmoorlady on May 28, 2009, 04:17:44 pm

Thanks Dixie I had visions of standing on the scales.

Sharon

Title: Re: slaughtering pigs
Post by: carole on May 28, 2009, 05:02:29 pm

Hilarysmum

I thought it was you who posted about weighing and measuring pigs....... come on dont be shy,


Carole x