The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: JEP on March 03, 2013, 05:57:22 pm

Title: which pigs
Post by: JEP on March 03, 2013, 05:57:22 pm

hi everyone i have got a choice of two different breeds of weaners both ready to pick up any timethey are  Oxford Sandy & Black and Berkshire dad x old spot mum  which would you say would be the best pigs to get for meat and what are each one good for cuts such as sausages and bacon and pork

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 03, 2013, 08:15:45 pm

For me the GOS is king for roasting joints, but we once had some OSB which went in to our local butcher and in 3 days he went from being hesitant about taking non-commercial pigs to wanting 5 a week

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: JEP on March 04, 2013, 07:29:48 am

thanks very much i will be getig in contact with some people later on today
 
many thanks john

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: HappyHippy on March 04, 2013, 07:56:22 am

If you're running on to a bigger size for bacon, I'd go for the OSB's - Berkshires can be inclined to get a wee bit overfat as they get bigger in size  :thumbsup: But Berkshire boy will be along to disagree  ;) :D

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: Berkshire Boy on March 04, 2013, 08:23:55 am

Ooooo Karen dissing my pigs.  :roflanim:
The Berkshire is regarded by many to be the best meat pig but they do also produce good bacon just a slightly smaller eye of meat than the true bacon pigs. As yours is crossed with a gos I would have thought it would be pretty good for both the bacon and joints but then again I'm biased.
Which ever you choose you will not be disapointed.

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on March 04, 2013, 08:52:32 am

I'd go for the OSB crosses, too. Pure OSBs can be run on to a much greater weight without laying down too much fat, and the meat is amazing. The GOS in the mix might make them slightly fatter.
Why not go for a mix of the two lots on offer? That way you can do a side-by-side comparison. If the litters aren't currently together, you can still mix some weaners. They'll fight initially, but soon settle down.

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: benkt on March 04, 2013, 10:08:45 am

I'd go for the OSB myself. Find lop eared pigs much more manageable. We did some Berkshire x hampshires last year and they were troublesome little things. They also took a fair bit of care with the feeding to keep them lean enough but we sent them off early-ish at a fair pork weight and got some great meat back so I would have them again but only in a well fenced area!

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: Shropshirelass on March 04, 2013, 10:59:11 am

Have some of each & then tell us the comparisons afterwards & if you have some oxford sandy & blacks you could breed a few pure xx

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: Bionic on March 04, 2013, 12:12:33 pm

All I can say is I slow roasted an OSB joint yesterday Mmmmmmm

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: JEP on March 04, 2013, 04:28:22 pm

thanks all for your suggestions i will take them all into account and will probably go for my favourite pig the oxford sandy and black but the year after i will try the berkshires so i can say i have try-ed both ;) many thanks for all your help any other suggestions of brreds for the future would also be appreciated
thanks john

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: Ann and Rob on March 07, 2013, 05:34:33 pm

OSB's all the way  ;D

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: mwncigirl on March 07, 2013, 08:32:53 pm

OSB's for us too! Lovely temperament pigs and we have found the meat fantastic. 

Title: Re: which pigs
Post by: Caemadoc on March 11, 2013, 09:01:56 pm

OSB's, they are fantastic pigs and no bother, very laid back and lovely characters! I am a relative newbie to Pig Keeping (three years)and have stuck with OSB's having looked at experience by others with Tamworths etc.
Just farrowed my First time with 3 year old sow with a litter of 10, all outdoor in Pig Arks and have had no trouble.

The Meat from OSB is fantastic, to the point that I sell to some foody types (one a michelin starred restauranteer) who rate the OSB as the best Pork ever!!...

I am at Pig Karma at present, in as much as 10 have gone through me to slaughter and 10 newbies have come into the world, plus the two girls I have for creating more wonderful OSB!