The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: harry on August 16, 2009, 07:43:22 pm

Title: costs
Post by: harry on August 16, 2009, 07:43:22 pm

ive asked a few questions prior to deciding whether to get 2 pigs, lots of room rough grass nettles thistles etc hopefully they would clear, but has anyone done a full costing on bringing a free range pig to the table including the waste of the bits i would never use. ie head, trotters,.... inc butchering etc

Title: Re: costs
Post by: shetlandpaul on August 16, 2009, 08:07:51 pm

its cheaper to buy the pork but no where as near as much fun.

Title: Re: costs
Post by: ukag0972 on August 16, 2009, 08:09:48 pm

And it never tastes as good!!

Title: Re: costs
Post by: harry on August 16, 2009, 09:40:16 pm

much like poultry then.........

Title: Re: costs
Post by: snowcloud on August 16, 2009, 09:49:36 pm

Well worth trying - but not a cheap way to get some pork. They will clear your ground though, including digging out all the roots. I have lots of hog-weed - very invasive, but the pigs love it (hence the name of the weed!) and cleared the lot - and everything else including all the buried rubble! The satisfaction of seeing such happy animals is a joy though.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwPytN55Rjg/Sgx_MASoRnI/AAAAAAAAAks/lcgCnGdzTYw/s320/untitled.bmp)

Title: Re: costs
Post by: sandy on August 16, 2009, 10:42:41 pm

Love the photo!!

Title: Re: costs
Post by: gavo on August 17, 2009, 11:00:34 am

As a rough guide it will cost approx £300 allowing for complete rations from weaning, slaughter charges ,butchers charges.This does not include housing as that can cost next to nothing right up to a couple of hundred depending on your circumstances. Nor does it include fencing.

Title: Re: costs
Post by: harry on August 17, 2009, 08:21:55 pm

ive got electric fences, straw bales for housing... might get a couple just to clear the land............... so if all advice is true and ime sure it is all these reports of D I Y stores now stocking pig kennels due to the credit crunch as people are rearing there own food may be in for a shock, finding its cheaper to buy the cuts they want........ next year going to be a shed load of 2nd hand kennels about............ on a simalar line i just cant be bothered to grow veg, you get it when theres tons of it about and cheap, i buy from the front of peoples gardens, got a great marrow today 30p, 90p in a weirdo shop, ive tried to grow a bit but last year tomato blite, then the birds, insects, squirells etc etc, i will stick to livestock.

Title: Re: costs
Post by: shetlandpaul on August 17, 2009, 10:18:50 pm

thats a good idea see if there is a market garden near you they will have loads of green waste that im sure they will be happy to lose. same with orchards.