The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: harry on October 01, 2011, 08:26:37 pm
-
How and when should i be measuring back fat on kunes..i guess i nip their skin and measure it somehow, what measurement am i aiming for........ they are 4 months old now and can only just feel their spine, can feel ribs ok.......
-
Harry, the only way to get an accurate back fat measurement (as far as I'm aware :-\) is from the abbatoir once the carcass is on the hook.
If you're just feeling the backbone and can feel the ribs they're not over fat - it's when you can't feel the ribs you need to start worrying ;) ;D
-
ok thanks..... i thought it was an ongoing thing i had to keep my eye on while they were growing
-
Unless you're producing for the commercial sector Harry - don't worry overly about it.
Fat = Flavour :thumbsup:
But too much isn't good for the pig or your pocket (either in terms of overfeeding or paying butchery charges based on weight)
HTH
Karen
Edit: Oh, it turns out you can measure backfat on a living animal (my mistake) you need an electronic ultrasound device type thingy (and training in how to use it ;)) But for someone producing for themselves it's probably not financially viable.