Author Topic: What age for slaughter? (Read 9265 times)

robert waddell · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07, 2011, 08:40:43 pm »

a bit of lop i think

TheCaptain · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2011, 08:48:41 pm »

Is that a recent piccy? We sent ours off at 62 Kg and 86 Kg (Male and female) at about 6 1/2 months. They look like they've got a bit of growing to do - by the way your hubby is scratching them I'll be wondering if they go at all

white-blazes · « **Reply #17 on:** May 07, 2011, 10:32:07 pm »

Yes it was taken this last week. He was chanting 'happy pigs are tasty pigs'

Blonde · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:59:43 am »

Quote from: white-blazes on May 05, 2011, 03:53:21 pm

Our pigs are now 5 months old. Is there an ideal time to take to slaughter, or is it just whenever you feel like it?

thanks

I would have done them younger. 5 months is getting a big old and if you want to do it yourself then a bit heavy at that.

Fowgill Farm · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2011, 10:21:39 am »

Agree with Lillian looks like a bit of Lop in them which is maybe what your friend has as a Leicester White (no such breed??) crossed with a GOS. If they're 23 weeks they're well behind I would up their feed a little by a 1lb each day, they should be growing an inch to inch & half per week now.
HTH
Mandy

Sudanpan · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:41:01 pm »

Quote

I would have done them younger. 5 months is getting a big old and if you want to do it yourself then a bit heavy at that.

A bit old at 5 months?

Blimey I'm obviously missing a trick here

Our 4 GOS boars went at 7 months last year - kill weight ranged from 65 - 82kg, I wouldn't have wanted to send them any younger and they were perfect in the meat to fat ratio.

Our GOS x OSB gilts are 5 months old now - biggest is 40 inch girth, but I'm going to keep them for another 2 months

Tish

robert waddell · « **Reply #21 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:36:28 pm »

this is one of the problems with pigs and the large variety of breeds feeding and there environment
where does it say that at 6months the pig has to go to slaughter equally you don't have to keep it to 120kgs
they all grow at different speeds and at different times of the year summer they will put more weight on than winter
blonde lives in oz where it is hot and the pigs develop faster all factors have to be considered
the younger the pig the less saleable meat the older (up to 120kgs) the more meat and produced at less per kilo
from approx 60 kilos-120kilos the last 60 are put on the carcase quicker and cheaper
it all comes down to your preference