The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Weaner on October 28, 2013, 08:48:07 pm
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I am pretty much a"by the book " pig keeper, 1lb of food daily per month of age, 26 weeks for meat and 32 weeks for gammon/bacon.
8 litters raised in this manner have been perfectly acceptable but on this occasion the owner on who's behalf I raise the pigs wants to send some for gammon at 20 weeks and the rest for meat at 21 weeks.
Is this far too early as I suspect and if so how will it manifest itself in respect of the meat ?
Andy
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You can make gammon from small pigs it'll just be smaller. Bacon might be a problem as the loins and bellies might be a bit small but otherwise everything the same as a bigger pig but smaller.
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Why do they want them to go earlier?
Is it to cut back on feed costs becoz if it is they're cutting their nose off to spite their faces IMHO ::) Far too young IMO for bacon & gammon especially in a traditional breed, the meat needs slow growing to develop muscle & flavour and to give some size to the cuts.
Mandy :pig:
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Mandy,
IHMO, IMO ?
Andy
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IMO - in my opinion
IMHO - in my honest opinion
Regards
Gary
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Well, well! I always thought IMHO was "in my humble opinion". You learn something new every day!
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Anyway, back to the point. No problem in using younger pigs for bacon/hams - as the others say, just expect everything to be smaller (and maybe leaner, depending on how you feed).
I sent some pigs off last spring a bit early (4 mths) because I needed the space and had customers waiting for pork. The chops were half the size of my usual ones, but they were hugely popular with people who thought they were brilliant for barbecues. Also, the quality of the meat was amazing - incredibly tender. I also did bacon from the bellies - fantastic.
All you need to do is advise the owner of your concerns about size etc - the decision is up to him/her. Good luck. Liz