[sarha]

Bugger!! My boys are with me for only 3 more days and although I am really looking forward to tasting the meat, I had a moment earlier ( when feeding them and making them a super comfy straw bed ) that they are oblivious to their fate! I had a lump in my throat and had to stop myself from crying! This is not like me at all and I hope I'm going to be ok Monday!   

[HappyHippy]

Supposing you're not and you shed a tear - it's natural to feel that way when you've looked after them and seen them grow from little weaners into big porkers. Of course you've become attached, you can't raise them and not become attached (unless you're a mean, heartless profit seeker - which I somehow doubt you are ) it's not easy but it's the natural end to what has been a lovely upbringing.
I'll be thinking about you and hoping it all goes well, but don't worry I still feel like this when it's time for them to go. It's worth it when you get your pork back - honest
Good luck
Karen x

[pikilily]

Yes i felt like that as mine trustingly trotted up the ramp behind me into the trailer. it was even worse as they unloaded at the abattoir and Rodney looked back over his shoulder at me at the sound of my voice.

Ok, if we probe and delve deeply we can all make ourselves weep over our animals. Its because we care! Instead, lets spare a tear for those pigs and sheep who have not had the attention we provide our stock with; those who get shoved from pillar to post, crowded and treated harshly ( or with less respect) because they are just food animals on a production line.    Every chop and steak on the shelves in supermarkets represents an animal which has perhaps had less of an enriched life than ours.

So as you take yours to the abattoir, walk tall, with pride, and salute your prime beasts!!  You are doing absolutely nothing wrong!!
all the best
Emma T

[Fleecewife]

Well said Emma    That's exactly it.
Also, sarha, the fact that they are oblivious to their fate is absolutely what you want - you are not letting them down, just ensuring they are happy little chappies right until they are dead.  It's a horrible feeling for you but as long as it's not horrible for them you've got it just right.

[chickenfeed]

it quite natural to feel that way, even after doing it for a good few years now, we still have a quiet journey to the slaughterhouse, but in the back of our minds we always know these pigs have been looked after and cared for and we would not have brought them in if they were not destined for the freezer, and its the eating of the rare breeds that keep the breeders going so give yourself a pat on the back for geting where you are.

we have the last 5 of this year going monday and the last of this years lambs on tuesday so i will be thinking of you monday morning.

[pikilily]

Its a 'lean' time when our fields are empty, especially when its cold and horrid outside, but lets look forward to the spring and the new generation of lambs and piglets, and the thrills of the new season's cycle begins again.
Emma T

[sarha]

Thanks everyone  I feel better now and Emma, you are so right in your post. I'm keeping that in mind. And can i just say thanks to everyone on here for their great advice...its made my first pig rearing venture a great deal easier knowing I could pop on here and ask for advice.

[Hilarysmum]

I'll be thinking of you on Monday, please post as soon as you can let us know it all went ok. 

[egglady]

we also feel eactly the same as you with our last lot of pigs and also our lambs this year.  but was astonished at myself when i went to pick up the meat and actually felt 'proud' that we had successfully raised our own meat, treated the animals well and every single one of them knew what a scratch under the chin felt like!  not like anything you'd buy in the supermarket!

so be proud that you are doing what you are doing.  these creatures have a far far better life with us 'hobby farmers' than any shop bought meat will have had!

laura