The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Helencus on August 12, 2011, 08:03:02 pm

Title: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Helencus on August 12, 2011, 08:03:02 pm
Got my pigs back today and they are great 2x160 lbs and one at 184 lbs. Big problem the guy who was coming tomorrow to butcher them for me father died today.. He is on his way back from Cyprus and doesn't know so I'm guessing the last thing he will want to do is come butcher my pigs.
I have the river cottage pig in a day DVD but no knives. Where can I get but hers knives from tomorrow live near Derby/notts
Damn damn damn....Terrible thing to happen to him so Im gonna just have to do it myself.
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: HappyHippy on August 12, 2011, 08:26:19 pm
Oh no Helen ! Sorry to hear of your dilemma  :(

Not in Nottingham, but Nisbets do a next day delivery - might be worth a shot ?
http://www.nisbets.co.uk/products/ProductCategory.asp?TopGroupCode=C2&cm_mmc_o=-pcByplCjCin%204bll5wkkbETl%202BF5zEY%20WzFwCjCmbfwkbELlCjC2twul%20sEbMwl%20(kbEL)&gclid=CPy17JK8yqoCFcFP4Qod5yXFzw (http://www.nisbets.co.uk/products/ProductCategory.asp?TopGroupCode=C2&cm_mmc_o=-pcByplCjCin%204bll5wkkbETl%202BF5zEY%20WzFwCjCmbfwkbELlCjC2twul%20sEbMwl%20(kbEL)&gclid=CPy17JK8yqoCFcFP4Qod5yXFzw)

Walkers is in Nottingham, but only open Monday to Friday http://www.walkercateringsupplies.com/default.aspx (http://www.walkercateringsupplies.com/default.aspx)

Failing that, I'm thinking Lakeland plastics ? But don't know for sure what they have  ???

We're lucky enough to have a 'tame' butcher too  ;) I was paying close attention when he was up to see what he used, so I know what to buy  :D
His 'kit' comprised a hacksaw, a really big knife (think thin machette) and a wee knife for getting into nooks and crannies - he did have other stuff, but these 3 were what he used.

HTH
Karen x
PS. Really don't envy you doing 3 ! I know what I was like after 2 (and that was only packing, wrapping & labeling  ::)) get yourself at least 1 bottle of wine - you'll need it  ;)
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: JulieS on August 12, 2011, 08:30:19 pm
I hope you manage OK Helen.

We're too far away to help in person, but if I can be of help on the end of the phone do give me a call.

Telephone number is on my website www.fordmillfarm.co.uk (http://www.fordmillfarm.co.uk)

Julie.
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: happy larry on August 12, 2011, 10:35:33 pm
Helencus check your pm box.
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: The Mobile Butcher on August 13, 2011, 01:28:09 am
please look in your P.M box regards Paul
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: bloomer on August 13, 2011, 04:14:07 pm
let us know if you survived the butecherathon!!!
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Helencus on August 13, 2011, 09:33:55 pm
I managed to do 1.5 this afternoon well actually we sat down 20 mins ago! Had to travel miles to find any knives suitable and the ones we got just about sufficed. That being said we got pig in a day set up in the kitchen and just followed that. Can't say the butchery was pretty but these will have to be for just us and close family. The folks I had sold them to will need to wait til the next lot when I can get a butcher to do it a bit more prettily. Thankfully they won't mind.
Have to say I'm quite proud of myself.. I helped deliver these pigs, I've fed and taken care of them right up to walking them into their pens in the abattoir then collecting and butchering them.  Who'd have thought I could handle all of that 7 months ago!
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: suziequeue on August 13, 2011, 09:58:50 pm
WELL DONE!!!!  ;D ;D ;D

So impressed. I chickened out of butchering my pigs last year.

Makes me more determined than ever to do more next year.

Well done.
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 14, 2011, 12:45:54 am
Well done.  I bet it tastes fabulous.
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Helencus on August 14, 2011, 07:55:07 am
Thanks guys. The funny thing is I'm currently doing the lighter life diet so icant actually eat any myself yet! My son had a birthday BBQ last night with his friends and they tell me it was delicious.
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: oaklandspigs on August 14, 2011, 08:08:25 am
Well done Helen!!
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Padge on August 14, 2011, 09:14:17 am
Well done ;D ;D we did ours exactly the same way!!
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Barrett on August 14, 2011, 02:34:23 pm
Well done Helen, that meat will be the best you have ever tasted and all your own hard work from start to finish
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: little blue on August 14, 2011, 02:40:25 pm
wow, well done you!
:P
making me hungry just thinking about it....
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: HappyHippy on August 14, 2011, 04:00:52 pm
Thanks guys. The funny thing is I'm currently doing the lighter life diet so i can't actually eat any myself yet!

Can you not switch to Atkins ?  ;) Just for a week  ;) ;D ;D ;D
Glad it went well.
Karen  :wave:
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Helencus on August 14, 2011, 10:43:56 pm
Thanks so much guys, im sooo chuffed we managed it. Gotta say I'm shattered now tho!

 I was sorely tempted to try some today but resisted. Smelt delicious. My eldest son doesn't like pork normally but he said it was lovely, really chuffed.

Anyone got any good bacon and ham curing recipes?
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Fowgill Farm on August 15, 2011, 09:51:03 am
Well done Helen
You've really done a great job with those pigs considering how bad things looked earlier in the year. It just shows what can be achieved when you have your back to the wall. True grit girl.
Pat on the back to you and OH.
Best
Mandy  :pig:
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: little blue on August 15, 2011, 11:42:47 am
where did you get the knives etc from by the way?
... I'm looking & saving up!
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Anke on August 15, 2011, 05:21:15 pm
We just use our normal set of large kitchen knives from John Lewis (bought about 10 years ago now!), just have a good sharpening thingy ready and use it. We do our own mutton, and only other thing we (well OH) use is a hacksaw.

We might have to do our own pigs next time too... but hopefully not!
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: white-blazes on August 15, 2011, 10:08:30 pm
Hubby has the DVD, but I wasn't sure if anybody can butcher their own pigs, can they? ???

Gosh if he reads this, he'll have the knives out :o
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: Helencus on August 15, 2011, 10:13:19 pm
Cheers Mandy  ;D
LB got a couple of really sharp knives from the pro cook shop at the East Mids outlet off J 28? Of M1. worked ok but really needed a sharp paring knife for doing the tenderloin and ribs.
Hardest thing I found was taking out the tenderloin without cutting into the chump.. Took about 4 goes til we got that bit right.
White blazes you can butcher yourself just not slaughter. That needs to be done by professionals.
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: white-blazes on August 15, 2011, 10:17:57 pm
oh heck, I can just see hubby now sharpening his knives ::)
Title: Re: Butchering emergency!!
Post by: little blue on August 16, 2011, 10:15:16 am
thanks Helen  :)