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Author Topic: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2  (Read 11215 times)

oaklandspigs

  • Joined Nov 2009
  • East Sussex
    • OaklandsPigs
Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« on: October 08, 2010, 06:33:40 pm »
The updated guide.
This list currently only covers pigs (I may expand it later).

It is hoped that this will be useful for people seeking pig abattoirs near them.

I have collated data for over 40 abattoirs from views on 5 forums, so it is by its nature subjective.

Your abattoir not listed? - PM me a view on it
Listed and agree with comments - PM me and I will add to the No. Views listed.
Disagree with the view - PM me your view and I'll add it.

List is in COUNTY, TOWN, NAME order

Aberdeenshire   Inverurie   Scotch Premier Meat Ltd.
No.  views    1
Comments
- They've just scaled backed their pig slaughtering due to a huge decline in the number of pigs being produced up here. They only do pigs for a couple of hours on a Friday morning now.They're prone to mistakes: like forgetting to deliver the carcasses to the butcher, like "forgetting" the pluck or the trotters, like forgetting to split the carcass and remove the head,  like miscalculating the bill, and like delivering the wrong carcasses to the wrong customers— despite very clear slapmarks plus vast differences in carcass size and quality. Scotch Premier don't do butchering. And good livestock handling is too dependent on the individual doing lairage—there's an excellent older chap who can sweet-talk the most recalcitrant pig or steer but there is another who, well, let's just say I disagree with his methods.
So, not exactly a recommendation!
Tel No:  01467 620631
Website : www.goanm.co.uk/spm/_sp/Contacts/contact.html
Bedfordshire   Bedford   Evans & Son
No.  views    1
Comments
- 1/10 -not recommend
Tel No:  01234 768227
Website : web.mac.com/bkbphotographic/Evans_&_Son/Welcome.html
Bristol   Bristol   Bakers of Nailsea
No.  views    1
Comments
+ They are absouletly brilliant.. offer butchery if needed and having visited them myself I would never take any animal anywhere else, they are kind, considerate and as strange as this may seem it's a lovely place.
Tel No:  01275 852017
Website : http://www.bakersofnailsea.co.uk/
Cambridgeshire   Kimbolton   H J Hellet
No.  views    1
Comments
+ would recommend
Tel No:  01480 860242
Website :
Cambridgeshire   Wisbech   N V Gagen
No.  views    1
Comments
+ book well in advance
Tel No:  01945 582418
Website :
Ceredigion   Tregaron   Cig Oen Caron
No.  views    3
Comments
+ Always helpful, very small, and they do cut. 10/10 (apart from the Ministry Vet who insists on Trichinella tests on nearly every pig I take), but they are near capacity so if you want your meat cut, you have to book well in advance.
+ stress free unloading and treatment of my pigs, small,local, pleasant to deal with
Tel No:  01974 298964
Website :
Cornwall   Penryn   R J Trevarthen
No.  views    1
Comments
+ 9/10 (I'd give 10 but I think their sausage making is a bit expensive!) Its a family run concern that has expanded in the last couple of years given the popularity of private kills Pigs taken on Monday and Wednesdays
Everyone was very helpful - no hullaballoo, and we weren't hurried at any point.
They have a full butchery service - the butcher operates on site and you can ask for any variation of cuts you want - the butcher Peter was very helpful for us as a couple of Newbies. They will also cure meat
Tel No:  01326 377081
Website : http://www.foodfromcornwall.co.uk/producers/r-j-trevarthen/194
Cumbria   Grange Over Sands   H C Airey
No.  views    1
Comments
+ would recommend
Tel No:  015395 58230
Website :
Derbyshire   Glossop   J W Mettrick
No.  views    1
Comments
+ really nice and helpful
Tel No:  01457 852545
Website : http://www.mettricksbutchers.co.uk/Mettrick's-Abattoir/c8/pages.html
Devon   Holsworthy   J & J Farmers
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Always been really good so 9/10 (they lose one for the long bumpy lane to get there!).  They have a cutting room too.
Tel No:  01409 271248
Website :
Devon   Ilfracombe   Combe Martin Meats
No.  views    2
Comments
+ Excellent service, small family run and very little waiting around for the animals. Pigs (including breeding sows and cull boars), sheep, goats, cattle and OTM cattle. Also does organic.
All in all a good experience and left me reasonably happy. The lady in the office was very patient with me and coped well with my ignorance!9/10
Tel No:  01271 882931
Website :
Dorset   Sherbourne   C & S Meats
No.  views    5
Comments
+ Used them for several years for pigs, cows and sheep. They have a butchery attached and I cannot recommend them too highly. Small, friendly and very helpful.  Slow & relaxed, but kindly & helpful
+ they take in on sunday afternoon which is some times of use to folk that work
Tel No:  01963 210764
Website :
Dumfries & Galloway   Lockerbie   Lockerbie Abattoir
No.  views    1
Comments
Service was good; short waiting times. Attached to butchers shop round the corner, so you can get the butchering done as well.
Tel No:  01576 202746
Website :
East Sussex   Heathfield   Tottingworth Farms
No.  views    4
Comments
+ We have used them for many years for slaughtering and since they put in the on site butchery, I use them for cutting; both lambs and pigs. I give them a big fat 9 out of 10 !
Good service, happy to recommend
Tel No:  01435 862425
Website : www.tottingworth.co.uk/
East Yorkshire   Bubwith   J A Mounfield
No.  views    1
Comments
+have always done me well and would be my preferred option of the four different ones I have used in the past. Pigs, sheep, goats & cattle, killed and cut on site, no packing/processing, good lairage and a long established family business.
very good small slaughter house. I am happy my stock get the best possible care whilst with them
Tel No:  01757 288339
Website :
East Yorkshire   Driffield   James White Butchers
No.  views    1
Comments
+10/10 - Small family run abattoir/butcher that only slaughter on Mondays. I can't speak highly enough of them.
Tel No:  01377 270 243
Website : www.jameswhitebutchers.co.uk/
Gloucestershire   Cinderford   Ensors Gloucester
No.  views    3
Comments
+Drive in, open tail gate, unload, close, drive out. No reversing, one pig or a lorry load, very reasonable prices, helpful to an idiot, packed to your requirements, great sausage, bacon and gammon, too.
Tel No:  01594 823148
Website : www.ensors-ltd.co.uk/
Hampshire   Basingstoke   Laverstoke Abattoir
No.  views    2
Comments
+ 10/10 for animal welfare, 3/10 for administration (but that's a lot better than the other way round). Their cutting is not cheap (up to £0.95 per kg) but it's good and everything comes vac packed, weighed, labelled, bar coded etc. They also do organic, I strongly recommend the place.
+ the stock are well treated, the service is of the best I have had in the past.
Tel No:  01256 772828
Website : www.laverstokepark.co.uk/home
Herefordshire   Leintwardine   A H Griffiths
No.  views    3
Comments
+ A very small abattoir with a smashing butcher's shop. sausages they do for us are marvelous ,but always need to ask for offal
Tel No:  01547 540231
Website :
Herefordshire   Weobley   R E Williams
No.  views    1
Comments
- Closed !
Tel No: 
Website :
Highland   Granton on Spey   R Miller Ltd.
No.  views    2
Comments
+ I was impressed by them. Very friendly and helpful and very quiet and calm (tho I guess having to take the hoggets there for 7am helped with the quiet bit!). They also hung and butchered them. They specialise in private kills. Great outfit
Tel No:  01479 872520
Website :
Kent   Canterbury   JR Farmmeats
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Good abbatoir
Tel No:  01304 842928
Website :
Kent   Southborough   Forge Farms
No.  views    2
Comments
+ Good
- Not very friendly staff
Tel No:  01892  538768
Website :
Kent   Tonbridge   Ken Ballard
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Small Abattoir, entrance between shop and next door, so need to be able to reverse trailer
Tel No:  01622 831285
Website :
Lincolnshire   Boston   A Wright
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Very good. They helped me fill in the paperwork and allowed me to see anything I wanted. The staff were kind to the pigs and I didn't see a stick or anything other than a pig board for guidance. The guy there helped me to unload the pigs and then I stayed with them inside in the pen. I wasn't made to feel in the way.
Tel No:  01205 368032
Website :
Mid Glamorgan   Maesteg   Maddock & Kembury
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Excellent place we send all our private kill pigs there and lambs. Family run, very helpful and always accomdating, top quality service. Make excellent sausages to.
Tel No:  01656 739073
Website :
Monmouthshire   Raglan   N S James
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Would Recommend
Tel No:  01291 690675
Website : www.nsjames.co.uk
Norfolk   Kings lynn   J E Howard
No.  views    1
Comments
+ good but book well in advance
Tel No:  01553 636234
Website :
North Lanarkshire   Wishaw   Wishaw Abattoir
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Happy to recommend
Tel No:  01698 372667
Website :
North Yorkshire   Kilburn   C R Horner
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Family run, private kills but check well in advance as they do get busy specially Easter & Xmas (i book Xmas pigs in in August!!) They only kill for me and my butcher collects but they will cut if asked.(they do my firnd's lambs beautifully) Steep hill on way to village which can be tricky in winter so drops them to 9/10
Tel No:  01347 86836
Website :
North Yorkshire   Scarborough   B W & D J Glaves
No.  views    1
Comments
+ very helpful, treat animals well when unloading. Would highly recommend.  They slaughter and butcher on the premises.

Tel No:  01723 859850
Website : http://www.glavesbutchers.co.uk/
Oxfordshire   Witney   Mutchmeats
No.  views    2
Comments
+ Would recommend
Tel No:  01993 772972
Website : http://www.mutchmeats.co.uk/
Shropshire   Bishops Castle   Daysdrove
No.  views    5
Comments
+ would recommend
+ The whole experience was friendly, unhurried and relaxed. The pigs were well treated and there was no squealing. They were put into large pens with plenty of straw.
- did not get pig tongue back, manager was flipant, communication between office & shop floor could be better
Tel No:  01588 630726
Website : http://www.daysdrove.co.uk/
Somerset   Chard   C Snell
No.  views    3
Comments
+ Its a third generation small family business with oldfashioned values with a excellent customer relation understanding. Nothing is a problem and when starting out the owner is only to pleased to sit down with you and go through what they can do for you ie prices, cuts ,etc if required you could even take your own animal to the end you could stand and watch what happens in the stunning pen!
Tel No:  01460 220420
Website :
South Yorkshire   Doncaster   E V Slack & Sons
No.  views    1
Comments
+We used EV Slack & Sons, Wadworth. They were great to us as first timers and we were very pleased with the way our pigs were treated and how the staff treated us too. They take 'ones and twos' later in the week than the big consignments. It's family run with a Butchers Shop too and they cut the pigs for us. They did ask us what we wanted but we put ourselves in their hands for the first time, we had visited a couple of times and trusted them.
Tel No:  01302 853 433
Website :
Suffolk   Long Melford   H Ruse
No.  views    2
Comments
+ V.Good to a novice, both in terms of paperwork and help with how to have the pigs cut. Access is tight, you wouldn't want too big a vehicle.
Tel No:  01787 378 227
Website :
Warwickshire   Coventry   C H Rowley
No.  views    2
Comments
+ Small family run place with village butchers shop on site as well. Was very impressed with the set up - had been recommended to them by two people. Kill and cut to our spec for £40 and sausages at £1 / lb extra. Just got home with 110lb of meat and 45lb of sausages! Seem very busy. Kill on Monday
Tel No:  01676 540419
Website : http://www.chrowley.co.uk/
West Sussex   Henfield   Southern Traditional Meats
No.  views    2
Comments
+ Very good, friendly allowed viewing of the slaughter, extremely professional and good communication, I will be sending all my pigs through them in the future! 9/10 - because they are a little expensive for cutting
+ they were very kind, and the patience shown to my boys  by the handlers was fantastic.  Very happy to recommend them.
Tel No:  01273 495171
Website :
West Yorkshire   Leeds   John Penny & Sons
No.  views    1
Comments
+ Very helpful for newbies
Tel No:  0113 2504162
Website :
Wrexham   Rhosllanerchrugog   D & J Thomas
No.  views    2
Comments
+ I have always been very happy with their respectful handling of my animals, there is very little waiting involved (I think they have only once been penned for about half an hour before slaughter) and there is no problem about watching the slaughter procedure if you wish to do so. The butchery side is excellent - they ask if they don't understand anything you have asked for, the meat is beautifully boxed and wrapped and their bacon/gammon is delish. The price has always been very reasonable too, and the service is always pleasant and courteous. I couldn't recommend them too highly.
- My own experience here wasn't so good: One of the pigs had a huge haematoma on it's hind quarter when returned. That can't happen post mortem. We also didn't get our own offal or heads back. Maybe a one off but we haven't been back to risk it again.

Tel No:  01978 840376
Website : http://www.dandjthomas.co.uk
www.Oaklandspigs.co.uk
"Perfect Pigs" the complete guide to keeping pigs; One Day Pig Courses in South East;
Weaners for sale - Visit our site for details

Hilarysmum

  • Joined Oct 2007
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2010, 08:10:06 pm »
Brilliant, especially now my own abattoir is refusing outdoor reared pigs    !!!!!

shetlandpaul

  • Joined Oct 2008
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2010, 09:43:04 pm »
why.

Hilarysmum

  • Joined Oct 2007
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2010, 08:34:48 am »
Because they are outdoors and therefore need to be tested for brucillosis before they can be passed as fit for human consumption - its not the cost - I would pay for that - its the extra work involved.

powispigs

  • Joined Jul 2010
  • Shropshire
    • Powis Pigs
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2010, 05:12:34 pm »
just as an added note for Daysdrove, we finally took our 2 and half year old gilt there and clearly stated- verbally and in writing -that the entire middle/back had to be kept as a whole barrel and taken to the butchers for bacon.  They split the carcass and made half of it into sausages! They apologised and didn't charge for the sausages but huge amount of bacon lost, communication can be quite poor between office and the butchery department.

Fishyhaddock

  • Joined Apr 2009
  • aberdeenshire
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2010, 05:47:36 pm »
Millers of Speyside in Morayshire is excellent. They take pigs on a thursday only, and have a cutting service on site. Their service is really good - my pigs were marked wth a pig spray - there was no need to tag or slapmark and both pigs came back as requested.

oaklandspigs

  • Joined Nov 2009
  • East Sussex
    • OaklandsPigs
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2010, 06:16:51 pm »
Thanks fishyhaddock !

In case anyone is wondering why FH can takle his to the abattoir just on a spray mark, this is Scottish Law.  Under the Pigs Records, Identification and Movement Order (PRIMO) 1995 it is legal to move pigs around Scotland and indeed into England & Wales, at any age on a temporary paint mark, including to an abattoir.   Scottish Abattoirs can inisist on tags or slapmarks, but this would be just as part of your contract with them, not a legal req.

That same 1995 order was revoked in England & Wales in 2003, which then under PRIMO 2003 introduced the need to tag, tatto or slapmark animals to slaughter or between holdings if over one year old.  Scotland (by then devolved) chose to keep the existing law, and not change it.  One UK, One EU, lots of different rules !


www.Oaklandspigs.co.uk
"Perfect Pigs" the complete guide to keeping pigs; One Day Pig Courses in South East;
Weaners for sale - Visit our site for details

Fishyhaddock

  • Joined Apr 2009
  • aberdeenshire
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2010, 07:06:13 am »
Didn't know that! V interesting. Thanks O pigs. :pig:

Elissian

  • Joined Oct 2009
  • Wiltshire
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2010, 07:36:19 pm »
We use c and s meats for slaughter and find them excellent but we have the carcass collected by blackmore vale butchers and i can't rate them highly enough. He spent ages going through the different cuts and also advised us as to which cuts customers prefere in which season. the only reason we asked them to butcher the meat was that they got back to us with info the first time we enquired. they always encourage us to phone back if we have any further enquiries and nothing seems too much trouble.

Tudful Tamworths

  • Joined Aug 2009
    • Liz's website
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2010, 09:31:47 pm »
Same in Northern Ireland, I was told. No need for tagging if going direct to slaughter.
www.lizshankland.com www.biggingerpigs.com
Author of the Haynes Pig Manual, Haynes Smallholding Manual, and the Haynes Sheep Manual. Three times winner of the Tamworth Champion of Champions. Teaching smallholding courses at Kate Humble's farm: www.humblebynature.com

pikilily

  • Joined Jan 2009
  • Do what you enjoy; And enjoy what you do!!
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2010, 01:42:58 pm »
i have just taken two berkshire porkers to Dunblane Abattoir (Duncan Stevenson Ltd)  Pigs slaughtered Tuesdays. Sheep every day including Tuesdays.

Plus points
Initial contact (Mr Stevenson) friendly and helpful, happy to explain, to a novice, all the details.
Clear explaination about required documentation, and their own expectations.
Able to organise delivery to any butchers etc.
Friendly and helpful staff on site.
Other customers relaxed and happy too,,, always a good sign!

Minus-ish Points
Hellish to find, trailing round narrow streets- it took me two attempts through the wee streets of Dunblane to find the right place....not good for stress levels!
DO NOT USE GOOGLE MAPS- it is totally wrong!!
The slaughterman's name is 'Skull'.....eeek.  Although he seems brusk, I saw no evidence of bad handling or aggression towards my pigs. They happily trotted off the ramp and into the holding pen.

I watched a chap unload his sheep and pigs before it was my turn. That at least meant i had an idea before i unloaded. If I had seen anything horrible i would have just driven out.......Need to wait for pork to come home, but i think I would go back.

HTH Emma T
If you don't have a dream; how you gonna have a dream come true?

oaklandspigs

  • Joined Nov 2009
  • East Sussex
    • OaklandsPigs
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2010, 06:34:30 pm »
Emma,

Thanks, will update my list - this really helps others so thanks for taking the time to write up your experience
www.Oaklandspigs.co.uk
"Perfect Pigs" the complete guide to keeping pigs; One Day Pig Courses in South East;
Weaners for sale - Visit our site for details

Tudful Tamworths

  • Joined Aug 2009
    • Liz's website
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2010, 09:33:30 pm »
Havard in Caerphilly still not in there - didn't you see my emails/posts?
www.lizshankland.com www.biggingerpigs.com
Author of the Haynes Pig Manual, Haynes Smallholding Manual, and the Haynes Sheep Manual. Three times winner of the Tamworth Champion of Champions. Teaching smallholding courses at Kate Humble's farm: www.humblebynature.com

pikilily

  • Joined Jan 2009
  • Do what you enjoy; And enjoy what you do!!
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2010, 09:48:12 pm »
Dunblane abattoir ;

Had a phone call from the butcher this afternoon. Complimenting me on the quality of the pigs. He said they were definitely mine, he could tell by colour of few remaining the hairs on the heads and the shape of the heads and ears. He also said the pigs must have been well handled because the meat was a lovely colour- not "stress red''

-so another two good marks for Dunblane;
1. they are honest, you get your own animals back
2. they are considerate of the animals

Yey, i am a happy bunny
Emma T
If you don't have a dream; how you gonna have a dream come true?

fiatmillie1969

  • Joined Sep 2010
  • Cornwall
Re: Good (or not) Abattior guide - Version 2
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2010, 11:43:30 am »
Cornwall JV Richards in Frogpool, mondays and Wednedays for pigs between 7 and 10am.
 very helpful on the phone beforehand e.g advised us about slapmarking and if we bring the pigs nearer too the end of the slaughtering time(10am) it ment the pigs werent in the holding pens too long.
When we arrived the men were very helpful and helped with unloading the pigs, paperwork was done in a small office and the area looked very clean and tidy. Not as stressful as i expected for our first time.

we had the meat delivered to our butcher of choice and all slapmarks were present when we got the meat back.

All in all a good experience and i would say this is a GOOD abattior.  ;D

 

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