The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: WinslowPorker on April 20, 2010, 12:14:28 pm

Title: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on April 20, 2010, 12:14:28 pm
Well what fun we had last night trying to take girth & length measurements of our not so little piggies!!! imagine two friends, a tape measure a brainwave of trying to measure them whilst they are having their tea!! oh yes Carry on Porker began.

However after much laughing and quick manouvering one handed with a tape half wrapped round a pig we finally got some measurements! we have worked out using the common formula - girth x girth x length (middle of ears to tip of tail) x 69.4 that our pigs are 75-80 kg, they are about 4 months old and i have read that you slaughter for pork at about 100-110kg, does this sound like i am about on target for that weight in the next couple of months?

thanks G  :pig: :wave:
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: dixie on April 20, 2010, 04:11:09 pm
I just go by girth measurement, 40" is about right!
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on April 20, 2010, 07:48:36 pm
Blimey thats what they are now  ??? we measured their girth at 1.00m which is 40 inches by 1.15m length approx 46inches and they still have another 2 months with us going by the age :pig: :wave:
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: Rosemary on April 21, 2010, 07:21:47 am
Just make sure they're not too fat - that wil increase the girth measurement. You shoudl be able to feel the spine with firm pressure.
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: JulieS on April 21, 2010, 08:40:47 am
Also make sure you are measuring immediately behind their front legs.....just one or two inches further along can make a big difference. 
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on April 21, 2010, 09:49:05 am
They look really quite lean at the moment, although i think i will have a go with some string at the weekend and try and do it again! next batch of photos will be coming soon as well
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on May 10, 2010, 12:08:16 pm
Measured them last night again, but properly this time with a fabric/seamstress tape and they are approx:

1.05m x 1.05m (Girth) x 1.25m (Centre of ears to start of tail) x 69.4 = 95.5kg or 210lbs!! 15 stone of boisterous happy pig! they are not booked in for slaughter until 21st june, but just wondering whether they will be too big?????

Any advice apprecaited  :pig: :wave:
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: dixie on May 10, 2010, 09:05:51 pm
Personally I would take them sooner or they may just lay down fat, not cost effective to keep them once they are ready! unless you want to take them bigger for baconers.
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on May 10, 2010, 09:16:36 pm
Looks like i will be phoning the abbatoir tomorrow to bring the dates forward!!

we re-measured tonight with 2 of us and it was easier however they are bigger it seems coz we were more accurate so they were:

1.08m x 1.08m ( Girth or 43inches) x 1.25 length from centre of ears to start of tail x 69.4 = 102kg!!! that must mean its sausage time :o :pig: :farmer:
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: dixie on May 10, 2010, 10:10:18 pm
Get that oven fired up!! :pig:  Are you planning hams, bacon, sausages? or all pork?
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on May 11, 2010, 06:29:51 am
Pork & sausages mainly, the butcher has said he would do me a bacon from part of the belly (is that streaky?) and i am toying with doing a gammon, will have to se what is left over once everyone has taken their orders!
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: Hilarysmum on May 11, 2010, 07:03:15 am
Streaky bacon comes from the belly.  You are in for a real treat. 
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: dixie on May 11, 2010, 09:44:44 am
I was really pleased with our last lots bellies, we had them cut into strips for bbqs! You could do a small boned joint as a ham,  very easy and you'll never buy any again!
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: Fowgill Farm on May 11, 2010, 11:15:03 am
God i must be getting old, i can't visualise your pigs at all in metric measurements!  ???Now if you'd said they were X inches i would know what they looked like.  ;)
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on May 11, 2010, 12:41:53 pm
Well the abbatoir has been brought forward, first 3 go off a week on Monday!! butchered and ready on the Friday before Bank Holiday weekend........... weather permitting guess whats on the BBQ!!!!!  :pig: :farmer: :wave:
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: Sudanpan on May 11, 2010, 07:00:39 pm
What breed are your pigs? They sound huge for 4 months old! Our 4 month GOS boars are no where near that size.
Title: Re: weighing pigs
Post by: WinslowPorker on May 12, 2010, 09:57:47 am
They are Saddleback cross Old Spots and are wicked but they are approx 6 months old not 4