[sabrina]

Well today we took another step nearer to getting our first weaners. Through the internet I found a lady not that far from us who breeds pigs at Quaryhead Fine Meats. they keep Large Blacks, Mangalilza and Oxford Sandy & Black. I was most impressed at how her pigs were kept and looked after. she was most helpful that I decided just to book two weaners. One of the Blacks is due around 17th of Febuary  and we decided for our first go at pig rearing to go for this breed as she said they were so easy to work with. We should have our weaners by the end of April if all goes to plan. Her pork is sold through one of her local butchers and she said he could not get enough from her which is very good . Our pigs are just to go in the freezer as I have no wish to get into breeding. It may cost more to have our own but at least I will know what they have been fed etc. Its not about making money for us. I am looking forward to having the experience of raising our own and I know it will be hard when it comes time for them to go but at least they will have had a happy life.

[Hilarysmum]

It is always hard if you have looked after and loved them.  It makes it just a little easier though if you start planning the next two a day or two before you book the originals in to the abattoir. Then read HFW River Cottage cookbook and think of all those wonderful joints. 

[Rosemary]

Well done, you. You won't regret it once you're eating superb home produced pork!

[garden cottage]

all ours are now in the freezer, I dont know what it is about pigs but when it was time for them to go felt very emotional and upset although they had a wonderful life outside. got very fond of them.

[sausagesandcash]

We get our first tamworths next week, Being an emotional old sod i'm not hugely looking forward to the visit to the abbatoir, but my love of good pork should see me through it!

My oldest son (9) wants to go to the slaughter house with me as he feels it's important that he knows the whole process......eh, just don't think so.....I think it'd scar him for life! 

[Hilarysmum]

I doubt it will worry him, it can be a bit noisy if its a commercial one and the lorry has just come in full of white pigs being unloaded.  If yours are well handled they will go quietly into a pen.  I dont think the abattoir would allow him to see the killing process.  Its good for kids to understand the whole process.  Enjoy your pork. 

[sausagesandcash]

I was afraid that there'd be a whole lot of squealing from the pigs while the job was being done! Dis want to mark him for life...remember Agent Starling in the Silence of the Lambs!!

[Hilarysmum]

If its like our abbatoir they only squealing is from the pigs being unloaded  from the lorries, remember most of those have not seen daylight before. 

A friend who works at a local abattoir says the pigs walk in, are immediately stunned, then hung up and throats slit, but all this is behind closed doors.  He thinks 20 seconds tops.  They dont know a thing, they dont have time to squeal. 

[VSS]

My oldest son (9) wants to go to the slaughter house with me as he feels it's important that he knows the whole process......eh, just don't think so.....I think it'd scar him for life! 

Nonsense - adults always seem to think their kids will be upset about these things. In fact they are usually intensely interested to know what is done and how it all works. It is often the adults who get all upset. Kids don't carry so much emotional baggage around with them. Its good that they be comfortable with where their food comes from. Ours have been helping with our home kills since they were about 3 and they all get stuck in.

[sausagesandcash]

Thanks for all the advice. I suppose you're right I saw cows being slaughtered as a kid and never really passed much heed. Sorry for kind of changing the forum topic though...I don't think he'll turn into a serial killer in later life...but he sure knows how to murder a bowl of cereal in the morning. lol 

[Hilarysmum]

It made an interesting diversion.  Sounds like a nice lad.

[sausagesandcash]

Like his three brothers he's a wee gift from god. I just hope their teenage years are as pleasant 

[Hilarysmum]

Teenage years are mercifully relatively short.  Enjoy.

[sausagesandcash]

If I can make a wee pig farmer of him, it should provide him with some distraction! First pigs are due to arrive this week, all going well. So preparations are in full swing. A lot of pig farmers around her are getting into intensive production  , so there are several arcs to be had for small money  , we also built a farrowing shed. Hope to get electricity into it in the next few days.
Are you in northern France hillarysmum? Used to live there (St Brieuc, Dinan) a lifetime ago...back when my hair was black, not grey with a few black remaining!

[Hilarysmum]

Yes just down the road near Pontivy.    Did you keep pigs over here?  Re teenagers,  if you can keep them interested in a good hobby it helps them through the difficult period.