[TheSmilingSheep]

We have two 'big black', boars, about five months old now, and due for departure (poor souls) next month.  We've been feeding them growers pellets since we got them at two months....
Question: for the last month what are the pros & cons of (a) continuing with the growers; (b) moving to 'finishers'; or (c) moving to 'sow nuts'....
We really want to avoid the over fat issue...(they have a large field enclosure so graze around quite a bit too)...
Am sure the wealth of experience out there will be able to assist ??!!!!!

[Bodger]

Hi Brendon, its difficult to judge stock without seeing them and even photographs aren't that good a gauge. How do they look to you?

[Fowgill Farm]

Moving them to sow nuts won't do them any harm, measure round their chest behind the front legs and if the tape reads 40 inches they're ready for the butchers for pork, we sent two GOS yesterday that were 39" and they were 22wks old.
HTH
mandy

[shygirl]

how easy you can feel their ribs, hips and spine is a good indicator of the feeding regime for the last month. we have finished on sow rolls and finishers depending on what the animal needs.

[TheSmilingSheep]

Thanks for such speedy responses (my first pig post!) - they look well to me (what would I know!) - you can feel their spine, probably not their ribs, but they look sleek just in front of back legs....  I will get the tape measure out later...
(just seen my inadvertant non-smiley face on first post - and I was determined to avoid...!)

[AndynJ]

Hi Brendon 21, have you allocated your pigs as yet or are you hoping to sell some on ?

[TheSmilingSheep]

Sorry Dawlish (that's who you are to me!) - didn't pick this up, but have replied in 'introductions'. We wont sell off any meat this year - seems like we suddenly have a lot of 'friends and family' who are keen to taste! Have you sold your meat? Success or hassle?