Author Topic: well that's our first 2 pigs off to the abattoir (Read 3687 times)

fiestyredhead331 · « **on:** January 13, 2013, 09:26:22 am »

not sure whether to be happy or sad!

Happy as it's one less species of animal to deal with for a few months

Sad because despite not getting emotionally attached/naming them etc, the look in their eyes this morning when we loaded them up brought a tear to my eye

ah well I suppose I'll feel better when the meat comes back $:-\$

MAK · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2013, 09:35:15 am »

Not a nice thing to do but soon you will have the fruits of your hard work and take satisfaction from the good life the pigs had and the product you produced.
We say goodbye to our 2 on Tuesday. We will do a home kill that will save the pigs the upset of a trip to an abbatoir and the overnight stay with strangers.
Like you we do not get too attched or name them but it is not something that I am looking forward to. that said once they have hung and I start to butcher I can distance myself from the animal and get on with the technical task.
Let us know your thoughts on the pork please.

ppd · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2013, 09:54:38 am »

I didn't find it easy when my first two went either and cried! But when the pork came back I had such a huge sense of satisfaction that I had produced fantastic pork and that my two boys had a very good and happy life with me.
Enjoy your pork and give yourself a big pat on the back

...and yes let us know how the pork tastes

Blinkers · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2013, 03:01:14 pm »

When you pick up your pork, you are gonna feel sooooooooooooo proud of yourselves and what you've achieved - PROMISE

HappyHippy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2013, 03:19:19 pm »

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to feel bad about taking an animal you've looked after and seen grow - it's the hardest part. And as everybody says once you taste the pork you'll know how worth it, it all was

In the meantime, enjoy slightly less work and start planning your next couple for the spring

Karen x

fiestyredhead331 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2013, 12:01:53 am »

thanks everyone

I am now thinking more about finding out about the dead weight, fat ratio etc

Fowgill Farm · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2013, 11:07:51 am »

Quote from: HappyHippy on January 13, 2013, 03:19:19 pm

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to feel bad about taking an animal you've looked after and seen grow - it's the hardest part. And as everybody says once you taste the pork you'll know how worth it, it all was In the meantime, enjoy slightly less work and start planning your next couple for the spring
Karen x

Ditto, sent a gilt

i'd become particularly attached to this morning, have a very dull ache where my heart is and feel a bit empty on this one.

Mandy

FiB · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2013, 12:38:06 pm »

Congrats - you've done all the hard bits now (apart from loosing any weight gained after one (or more) too many sausage!!!). As others have said - big satisfaction in knowing that it is the best raised meat possible. And I know that feeling of reducing your species count by one - bliss!! We are getting ready to go up again!