kp - am interested to see that your boys were 9 months when they went off. I acquired 2 x 9-month tam gilts (now 10 months). I had just recently got 2 weaners and then came across a lovely lady who was moving and having to part with her piggies - daftie that I am took 2 of her girls - with the vague thought that I would get them in pig and on we would go. However, I am having seconds about that just now - I do feel that I need to go through the whole thing of raising weaners to slaughter before I take on piglets. Am unsure what the most economical route is - buy weaners, fatten, slaughter, replace with more weaners or keep Mama Cass - breed - sell weaners/bring them on for meat .... aaaargh. Anyways - my thoughts that if I sent the big girls off now they would be past their best and would maybe only be good for sausages or sumthin - but you say although fatty - your lads were lush! That heartens me. I am a bit stuck just now as the powers that be up here (Scottish Borders) seem to have made a hash with my CPH numbers so I think it best to getr that sorted before any further movements. Very tempted to ship biggies off (one of them especially is a bit of a thug - well, total hooligan really) and replace them with a couple of large black weaners - in a few weeks. All decisions eh. But just wanted to say that your comments seem like good news and make me bit more hopeful of the quality to expect. What breed were your boys and what you replacing them with? N