[MiriMaran]

As a newbie to pig keeping I don't have the experience to see by eye whether Snuffle looks like a good weight.  I don't mean good weight for slaughter, but as in not too fat and not too thin.  My hunch is that he is OK, but would like anyones opinion please. He is 6 1/2 months.

[doganjo]

Hmmm - looks about right to me - 50 roasts, a good few chops, and a packet of scratchings

[Farmer]

He looks good to me MiriMaran...but don't let him go much longer unless you intend keeping him for breeding

farmer
 

[Hilarysmum]

He looks great. 

[dixie]

Agreed he looks nice, but needs to get in the freezer pretty quick!!

[MiriMaran]

Thank goodness for that!  I thought he looked OK, but was worried everyone would be saying he's too fat or too thin!  We are planning to talk to our butcher neighbour to sort out a date for everything.  He is really keen to help with the butchery and will be ordering sausages casings e.t.c. for us.  We plan to see him on Monday to get the ball rolling.  Talking of balls I had no idea boars whatsits were quite so large!!

I have to confess that I feel psychology ready for them to go - especially since Niffle tried to hump me the other day!!!  I've loved their company, but I just see yummy food now!!

[little blue]

Enormous, arent they?! Boars bits I mean. But dont you think they always have "feminine" feet - v delicate?!
Think Ive asked before, what slaughterhouse are you using, cos you're quite close to us?

[MiriMaran]

Elliots in Chesterfield then the carcasses will be delivered to Crouts Farm Shop in Duffield where out butcher neighbour works and then he'll bring the carcasses home.  That's the plan anyway!

Where are you?

[Hilarysmum]

You are in for the taste experience of a lifetime.  Dont forget to make bacon and gammon too.  Have you ordered the next 2 yet?  Once your visitors, neighbours, friends have tasted the pork you wont have much left.

It amazes me how my son always manages to time his visits to when we are doing a pig for ourselves. 

[carl]

Snuffle looks like he needs to go soon before his big gonads take over. I'm sure he will taste fantastic. I have just booked in two gilts to go to Branhalls at Oxspring for their holidays( so to speak). Allways an interesting time, and what its all about. They are booked in then for process by local butcher. I get quite excited by the thoughts of all that lovely pork and what we can do with it. I hope it all goes well for you.

[Hilarysmum]

According to my butcher boars bits are very popular in Jamaican cookery now there could be a whole new market ...

[MiriMaran]

Thanks everyone.  Is there any chance that we have left it too long and they are going to have boar taint?

[little blue]

Elliots in Chesterfield then the carcasses will be delivered to Crouts Farm Shop in Duffield where out butcher neighbour works and then he'll bring the carcasses home.  That's the plan anyway!

Where are you?

Thanks for that, see PM!  Are you taking him yourself? Night in the trailer for him...

[Farmer]

Don't worry about Boar Taint...very unusual in outdoor reared pigs and not likely at such an early age

farmer
 

[Hilarysmum]

And in the very unlikely event he will still make great sausages and bacon