The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Pheasant pharmer on June 14, 2011, 11:27:11 am

Title: How long to keep my saddlebacks for bacon?
Post by: Pheasant pharmer on June 14, 2011, 11:27:11 am

Hi folks
We have our first pair of saddlebacks and have been advised to keep them for 8-9 months for bacon. Does this sound about right?  My father is convinced this is too long, but he was a more commercial farmer.
Would appreciate your views....... ???

Title: Re: How long to keep my saddlebacks for bacon?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 14, 2011, 01:55:54 pm

I'd say around 110Kg - 125Kg live weight is traditional bacon size, so yes, probably around 9-10 months. But we made bacon from 85Kg live weight pigs (approx 6 months old) and it was fabby, slightly small (hence the longer finishing time/higher weight normally used) but still very tasty  :yum:
Hope that helps,
Karen x

Title: Re: How long to keep my saddlebacks for bacon?
Post by: Fowgill Farm on June 15, 2011, 10:49:45 am

Would agree with HH about 9months for gilts though some of our best bacon was from a 2yr old barren gilt.
HTh
Mandy :pig:

Title: Re: How long to keep my saddlebacks for bacon?
Post by: robert waddell on June 15, 2011, 11:33:10 am

the best bacon is from a sow that has just reared a litter of pigs and fattened up       90 kilo pigs are classed as bacon pigs
it all depends on what size the eye of bacon that you want    eye= the meat the large bit  :pig:

Title: Re: How long to keep my saddlebacks for bacon?
Post by: loosey on June 15, 2011, 03:14:47 pm

We sent off some 11 month GOS females and the bacon was perfect  ;D They probably could have gone a month or so sooner :)

Title: Re: How long to keep my saddlebacks for bacon?
Post by: fifixx on June 15, 2011, 06:30:58 pm

We kept out GOS girls for a year - but they were just a bit too big - and the abattoir insisted on skinning them which was a b***r. Delicious though

Title: Re: How long to keep my saddlebacks for bacon?
Post by: Pheasant pharmer on June 17, 2011, 02:09:09 pm

Thanks to everyone who has replied. The general consensus seems to be that 9 months should be fine. Still on track to have some of our bacon later this year then! Can't wait.