Author Topic: middle whites age for slaughter  (Read 2313 times)

sokel

  • Joined Jun 2012
  • S W northumberland
middle whites age for slaughter
« on: June 21, 2012, 10:41:00 am »
I have 2 middle white Gilts that after double checking they would have been 7 months old  on the 4th June
having only had tamworths before these I cant make my mind up when they will be ready.
what age do you all send middle whites off
1 is for general posk IE: chops and joints  the other is undecided as a friend is badgering us to let them have half but we wanted bacon for ourselves  :-\
Graham

Blinkers

  • Joined Jan 2008
  • Carmarthenshire
  • Carmarthenshire/Pembrokeshire border
    • Glyn Elwyn - Faithmead Herd
    • Facebook
Re: middle whites age for slaughter
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2012, 10:50:17 am »
Hiya - I would have thought they are more than ready to go as MWs are generally early finishers but that does depend on how they're kept.   Some people will 'finish' them at 18-20 weeks and I've done them at this on one occasion but only because it was coming up for Xmas.  In fact, although the pork was absolutely incredibly tender and delish....they were a tad on the small side. I generally 'finish' mine at around 22-24 weeks (outdoor reared).       MWs don't generally make good baconers (apparently) but I'm not entirely sure why.    I'd get 'em gone if I were you.
HTH :thumbsup:
Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again !!
www.glynelwyn.co.uk

sokel

  • Joined Jun 2012
  • S W northumberland
Re: middle whites age for slaughter
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2012, 11:06:13 am »
Thanks for that, the reason we have kept them longer is that the person we got them off does not feed them untill they want to get them ready for slaughter so they where very small for their age, I think they have grown quite well now so will get them booked in
might have to wait for one of the GOS for our bacon then  ::)
Graham

 

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