[reedos]

That I sent animals for slaughter the first time. now I'd like to say that it passed entirely without incident, but it didn't. The pigs spotted a small gap in my carefully laid out filtering system to get them into the trailer, and they were off, I've never seen two pigs run so fast - down to the bottom of the field. Fortunately they were more interested in the contents of my bucket than they were in my newly planted soft fruit and I managed to coax them back up to the trailer. In complete contrast the other one wouldn't cross where the electric fence had been, however about 45 minutes later than planned we were off.

Getting them off at the other end was much more simple, they trotted off quite happily, I've had an e-mail from the electronic pig movement people saying it's all done so I presume that all went OK - Arl is collecting them later in the week - hopefully we'll have some nice roast pork for the weekend.

I've been OK with it all today - think they'll be a miss in the morning mind

[MAK]

Yes - traumatic for you and them.
We send our 2 away this weekend. We will do this with no upset for them in their familiar surroundings and  shoot both within seconds. Still not a pleasant task but better for the pigs who we have woken up, fed, cleaned, and put to bed every day during the heat and deep snow. Bless them but it's amazing how they will instantly become "food" to us and how we will just set to work butchering and processing the next day.

[Rosemary]

Yes - traumatic for you and them.

I don't think it's so bad for the pigs TBH - probably worse for the owners. Ours have never seemed too concerned about the loading, the journey or the abattoir. Maybe we've just been lucky.

[sabrina]

I have only done this once and i made it as stress free for the pigs that I could. From loading to taking them in myself at the other end. I may have cried all the way home but I felt it was my job rather than let my OH who they did not know.

[HappyHippy]

I don't think anyone can take pigs to slaughter without feeling a tug at the ol' heart strings - you'd have to be completely devoid of emotion and compassion 

I always miss them for a few days, even though we've still got others here - but before we had the others, the sight of the empty pig pen was always a bit depressing to me.

Getting your pork back and tasting the difference that your care and time have made to the quality of the meat is a good reminder of one of the reasons why we do it though, that and the fact that we need to do this to help raise the number of pigs being bred and keep the breed numbers up 

Reedos, it wouldn't have been the same if they'd loaded up no bother - you need a story to tell (and pigs will always provide you with hilarious ones, even if they're not funny at the time  )  Glad it all went well though 
Karen

[princesspiggy]

well done, the first time is the worst - actually the 2nd was the hardest for me cos i soo loved those pigs, wed kept them for ages cos we didnt want them to leave.
 

[Castle Farm]

It's the reason I haven't had pigs. I know I'd feel really bad about sending them off.

I have dispatched hundreds and hundreds of poultry in my time and even now after all these years I hate doing it.

Any destined for the table have to go into the freezer for a month or two so I forget how wonderfull their personality was.

[RaisinHall Tamworths]

I always find it easier if they do something naughty before they go  .  Always feel worse if they load up happily  . 

[robert waddell]

neither Lillian or myself have any problem with sending pigs to slaughter

[reedos]

Actually it's been easier than I thought it would be, funny, and entertaining as they were - I've reconciled myself to the fact that this is what I got them for in the first place because of the lifestyle I've chosen to live. I looked after them well (I think) and in return I'll get some tasty pork and sausages.