The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Bumblebear on November 17, 2012, 08:00:47 pm
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Mine are due to go a week Monday and I have just realised I haven't tagged or slapped them yet! They are berkshires so how will I know whether I have marked them properly or not?! Is there anyone near me willing to show me how to do it properly? I'm near Brandon Norfolk/Suffolk border.
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It is so easy and yet so fearful the first time ??? Get everything together, slapper loaded with ink, tasty stuff for pigs, apples, grapes, sweet potatoes etc.
Then, as pigs are gorging, give them a hardish slap on the bum, once on each side. Imagine you are slapping someone who you find really annoying, but not someone you would like to SLAP HARD :o :o
You should do this as the pigs are being loaded or the evening before. Good luck :pig: :pig: and remember, practise makes perfect :)
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Hi Bumblebear,
It really isn't difficult, I find it far far easier than ear tagging. Do it whilst they are eating, I do it the day before they go just to give myself time to ensure I've done them all properly.
See this thread too, in particular the video.
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=22670.msg219447#msg219447 (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=22670.msg219447#msg219447)
Pete
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I did mine for the first time a couple of months ago and hardly any reaction at all - way more interested in filling their bellies. Only thing that i did wrong was to overload the slapper with ink - used an old toothbrush, and once done just looked like a black blob :innocent: Thankfully no probs at abattoir and very clear on the returning product :eyelashes:
Pauline
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Yes, like everyone says it is pretty easy, I did mine this year for the first time too, they didn’t even flinch, too engrossed in food. I practiced first on some cardboard which helped me figure out how hard to slap.
Watch out for the ink, it seems to migrate everywhere.
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Take a look at the Slapping Tips in the infobox on the left of our site, lots of ino there.
Thanks
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Then, as pigs are gorging, give them a hardish slap on the bum, once on each side. Imagine you are slapping someone who you find really annoying, but not someone you would like to SLAP HARD :o :o
I believe the slap should be to the shoulder
http://www.bpex.org.uk/downloads/295838/298202/Work%20Instruction%202%20Slapmarking%20slaughter%20pigs.pdf (http://www.bpex.org.uk/downloads/295838/298202/Work%20Instruction%202%20Slapmarking%20slaughter%20pigs.pdf)
Bumblebear, it's not too bad. Just give them a slap when they are feeding - you may get a squeel but then they will be heads down again. Ink the slapper up well and just give them a firm 'Slap' :thumbsup:
By no means an expert having only slapped 4 pigs, the first did get a mention about too light a mark at Lamberts abattoir but this didn't cause any problem. If you are really stuck / not happy and don't get any other volunteers closer to you then I'll be happy to come over. Would like to see/hear how you got on with your Berkshires as am thinking of trying them in the New Year.
Regards, Zac (Bury St.Edmunds-ish)
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Bumblebear, like several of the others have responded I, (well OH) did ours for the first time this year.
We did it at breakfast time the day before they went off. A firm slap on each shoulder while they were eating and they barely noticed.
Once it had been done its difficult to see much other than a black splodge so to make sure everything was ok we took the slapmarker and ink to the abattoir with us. There was no need. Everything was fine.
I was very pleased to see nice clear marks when we got our pork back. :pig:
Sally
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Like Bionic said take the slapper and ink to the abattoir incase they want you to redo it
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Thanks all. I guess with them being black I won't know whether I've cocked it up or not before I get there! Zac thanks for th roofer, I've pm'd you details. I'll be starting another post for advice about my ever increasing cutting list too :innocent:
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Bumblebear, great to meet you and yours today.
:love: The berkshires, good luck tomorrow.
Links as promised,
skins from http://www.weschenfelder.co.uk/
[/size]Bacon cure from [/size]http://www.homecuring.co.uk/ also used this for our Christmas ham
[/size]Best ever pork scratching recipe (well the only one I've ever used and it cannot be beaten!)
[/size]http://justcookit.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/homemade-pork-scratchings-part-one.html
[/size]
[/size]Best wishes, Zac
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I do both shoulders and both buttocks - no mistaking them then :D
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Bumblebear, great to meet you and yours today.
:love: The berkshires, good luck tomorrow.
Links as promised,
skins from http://www.weschenfelder.co.uk/
[/size]Bacon cure from [/size]http://www.homecuring.co.uk/ also used this for our Christmas ham
[/size]Best ever pork scratching recipe (well the only one I've ever used and it cannot be beaten!)
[/size]http://justcookit.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/homemade-pork-scratchings-part-one.html
[/size]
[/size]Best wishes, Zac
Likewise :wave: thanks for the links, and the slapping demo. Now I need a mincer....ham slicer....humongous pan.....sausage stuffer..... Lol