The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: sarha on June 24, 2010, 08:21:40 am
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;D Morning!
This is going to sound daft, but how do you know when your pigs reach the correct weight for slaughter? Does everyone have access to weighing crush? I know you can get a weigh tape for horses, but what about pigs?
Probably a post already about this, but i cant find it if there is so would be grateful for any replies
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There is a calculation on here to work this out. Girth x length x something else......I'm sure someone will know it and let you know.
To gauge whether mine are ready I measure their girth (around their body just behind their front legs) at around 38" - 40" mine go.
There is a weigh tape available for pigs.
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;D
Measure from between ears to tail base (inches, length) around the shoulders and wrap underneath them (girth).
girth x girth x length divide by 400 = weight in LBs (if you want Kilos divide again by 2.2).
deduct a third to give you the carcass weight.
:pig:
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Excellent....I guessed you would know :) :) :) :) :) :)
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Ow, now I cant get my swollen head through the door :D :D :D
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Hi,
We use what they call a 'weighband' which is obtained from smallholdersupplies.co.uk. It only costs about £9 and gives you a reading which we have found pretty accurate. It's also easy to use and read from.
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GOS thanks for the info - I am still using my MIL's ancient imperial tape measure, which is falling apart and doesnt stretch around Hilary any more, so perhaps I shall invest in one.
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Thankyou!! Knew I would get good info here! :pig:
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girth x girth x length x 69.4 = KG weight. make sure you measure your pigs with a seamstresses type of type and use the measurments in metres. ie 90 cm girth & 110 cm length = .9 x .9 x 1.1 x 69.4 = 61 kg, when mine went for slaughter they were approx 110kg, and the kill weight which came back was 84kg, they carried about an inch & half of back fat, so not too bad