The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Crofterman on October 28, 2017, 11:09:07 pm

Title: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: Crofterman on October 28, 2017, 11:09:07 pm
 :wave: Hi my first set of wearers are getting big. They should be ready by end December/early January. I don’t have trailer and wondered if I can get them collected to go to the abattoir? I also don’t have any customers for the meat and don’t want them myself so in an ideal world someone would buy them from me and take them away to sell at a profit. Is that something that ever happens or do I just need to get organised?( I’m in Cardiff if anyone’s interested. )
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 29, 2017, 09:23:22 am
Questions before an answer:  what breed; how old; are the boars castrated; does your local livestock market have pig auction days; what are you presently feeding them on?
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: Crofterman on October 29, 2017, 03:38:08 pm
Hi. Thanks for your interest. 14 weeks old this week. One gilt, one uncastrated boar. Look like Welsh white but not pedigree. Fed on heygates creeper feed then finisher feed. (Has GM soya in it) Plus lots of apples and what they find in the ground. There are pig auction days around but I’d struggle to get them there without relying on a pig keeping mate who’s already busy.
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 29, 2017, 06:14:24 pm
I'd suggest taking in the boar at 23 weeks maximum to be confident of avoiding boar taint, and the gilt about two weeks later.  That's based on the breeds I've kept, which don't include Welsh.  Maybe someone with experience of that breed will have a different recommendation.
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: Bionic on October 29, 2017, 07:53:35 pm
Can you not borrow or hire a trailer. I think that would be your best bet.


Meat from 2 pigs is a lot for your own consumption. You need to be scouting round for an outlet now. Sausages usually seem to be the easiest to sell.
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: greenbeast on October 29, 2017, 08:58:27 pm
I'd suggest taking in the boar at 23 weeks maximum to be confident of avoiding boar taint, and the gilt about two weeks later.  That's based on the breeds I've kept, which don't include Welsh.  Maybe someone with experience of that breed will have a different recommendation.

none of our boys go earlier than 6 months!!
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: harmony on October 30, 2017, 07:09:11 am
Pictures would be helpful.


Welsh White? Not sure what you mean?


Modern breeds and especially Welsh and Welsh crosses can be finished well before traditional breeds.


When you say they should be finished December/January what weight are you aiming for.


Christmas is a notoriously busy time and you need to be booked in well in advance for kill and butching. After Christmas it is hard to sell pigs.


If you are struggling with transport I would suggest selling them as stores now.
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: Crofterman on October 31, 2017, 03:53:40 pm
Hi. Thanks  for your interest. Being my first ones I’m going  more by  the timing which will be the first week or two in January -please see the picture below.
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: congerchamp on November 04, 2017, 03:35:50 pm
How much do you want for them? Where in Cardiff are you?
Title: Re: Finisher pig collection?
Post by: Crofterman on November 04, 2017, 03:38:17 pm
Thanks. I just accepted an offer yesterday. If you PM me your details, I’ll have more next year.