[Collie26]

Just got our last 2 tamworth pigs back all butchered so thats five altogether, meat is superb couldnt ask for better, perfect amount of fat to meat ratio to get lovely taste, now all we need is to get the lamb comming though and maybe swap pork for beef.

This is our third and best set through to slaughter, getting the hang of things, the skill of handling pigs has gotten easier with experience.

Is it just me or is there no better feeling than carrying in crates of meat that you have raised yourselves?? Such a wonderful feeling of pride that we have the oppurtuntiy to raise our own food, and to give the animals whilst alive the best possible. Makes all the hard work worthwhile

[SallyintNorth]

Well done and hear hear.

Now please share the tips you've learned along the way - for instance, do you use weaner pellets then finishing pellets, or sow rolls, or what, and when, and , and, and ... pretty please!

[Sudanpan]

Congrats   
Totally agree with the feeling of satisfaction that comes with the home produced meat 
Our 3 go 'off' tomorrow - (OSB x GOS) and although I'm 'really' going to miss their antics -    - we are very much looking forward to the meat, haven't had any sausages in AGES and as for bacon......., should get the meat back on Thurs and its going to be sausages for supper 

As for feeding - I just go for the sow rolls/sow nuts (16%) from the off (Oaklands advice) and it seems to work, our pork last year was FABBY. They also have quite a big area to rootle around in so lots of grass and roots etc etc - oh yes and this year they've been mega spoiled with LOADS of braeburn apples 
Tish

[Collie26]

Hi yeah its really quiet without them  and sally, we keep them on farmgate sow and weaner nuts or valley ones depending on price   and normally put a handful of barley but our second batch before this one we gave too much barley which really put the fat on them, so this time we reduced the barley intake and also gave plenty of greens ect.

Also we have sugur beet we give them to supliment their feed to make it more interesting for them rather than just pellets.

We send ours younger like 5 months and it makes them smaller but less fatty.

As for moving make a run for them if not a permanent one there out of electric fencing then they can never escape 

We've learned from our mistakes and loving every minute.

Sheep are on the list next, getting half a dozen after our hols 

[skidley]

Just finished the washing up from a roast leg of Tamworth pork and it was scrummy, crackling to die for!!