[Bumblebear]

Hubby and son took the pigs this morning.  We had put the trailer in their pen for a few nights and they were sound asleep when he shut the door.  He said they were still sound alseep when he opened it at the other end!

Apparently our girls just trotted out straight into the pen - which was good because at that point he realised he had no pig board or bucket!  They had to be moved again (which they beautifully complied with) when another smallholder turned up with his 3 GOS and began to literally kick them out of their trailer through the side door just because they wouldn't budge  - @*!% idiots   The vet had to step in and told them to put their pigs in a different pen (where ours were) so they could calm down before they got taken through.  So ours basically jumped the queue.

It did make me think that actually although the tummy tickles and scratches and hugs seemed perverse at times, they probably went a fair way to help the pigs stay calm and approach new places/people with confidence instead of fear.

I do miss them already though         

[Bionic]

You will feel differently when you start to eat the pork. My pork shoulder, cooked slowly yesterday, was fantastic.
Sally

[Fowgill Farm]

You will feel differently when you start to eat the pork. My pork shoulder, cooked slowly yesterday, was fantastic.
Sally

Would definetly agree, my 3 boys go next week and though i'm up to about my 54th pig going i always feel a bit sad but its worth it when i hear people say how good the pork is and the best compliment for me is when someone tells me they're having my pork for Christmas dinner
Mandy

[ppd]

You just need to focus on all the lovely pork that will soon be in your freezer and I am sure that for all us 'first timers', next time will not be so traumatic, now we know what to expect

[Sudanpan]

Slaughter day is never going to be the most favourite day on the calendar - I think there'd be something wrong if you had livestock and then weren't fussed about the fact that they are killed at your behest.


We just focus on the fact that the meat is the MOST fantastic tasting produce and we KNOW the pigs had the best life we could give them.


Enjoy the pork 

[ZacB]

Bumblebear, glad this morning went okay, never the best time.
However, having seen your piggies yesterday...........my mouth is watering 
You now need to take your mind off of it and start planning replacements 

[sokel]

Glad it all went well for you.
I still hate walking away from them and then coming home and having to clean the stable out.
this time we are sending them in 2s so we will have 2 left here for a few weeks .
Normaly we go straight out and get new weaners but this year everywhere is so wet from floods we are going to wait untill spring

[Mammyshaz]

Well done for your good care to them. They had the best life a pig could have and will now reward you well.
I cannot imagine how hard the final journey was. 

[sabrina]

Its always sad when they go away, look forward to rearing some more and enjoy your pork

[FrostyM]

Glad to here all went well and your slapmarker etc got there in time. My first pair went off this morning, didn't have the option of putting the trailer in with them so spent a half hour or so chasing one over eager pig and another half hour coaxing out the other, overly nervous fella, out of the pen. But once they were loaded it was a dream at the abattoir. I didn't find it hard too let them go at the abattoir, which almost made me feel bad if that makes sense    That said, it was strange coming home to the empty pen so maybe i'm not totally heartless after all