[Hilarysmum]

Once you have eaten your own pork and sausages, not to mention the bacon, nothing will deter you from continuing.

[Wizard]

Hello all I am not out to spoil your day out but if you go to a big commercial abattoir it is not to everyones liking to see beasts heads come tumbling down a slide into a skip and its legs and feet into another one.The one at Dovecotes Nr Doncaster is reasonably big and seem to specialise in cattle.Its all very clean and hygienic but also very sickening.

[Helencus]

I hear you George but that is one of the harsh facts a meat eater has to acknowledge I guess. The guys have a point on here I think at least the animals they take have had a good nay fabulous life the same can't be said for the stuff you get from the supermarket I'm sure.
Now whether I could visit an abbatoir and actually see said harsh fact.. Truthfully not sure but I will rear my own and at least stay as long as I can.

[WinslowPorker]

Not sure if you would even be allowed inside the actual 'processing' areas anyway, i am sure there is mountains on Health & Safety/Hygeine requirements. And at the end of the day as a meat eater i accept that the animals are slaughtered but dont feel the need to actually see it. there are lots of horrible things in life that happen and we all accept that they happen but again have no desire to see any of them....

Positive note, am picking up my pork from butchers tomorrow!! cant wait

[sheila]

This is the reason some people become vegetarian. I think that as long as your beasts have had a reasonably happy life you should be happy and enjoy the meat secure in the knowledge that you did your best. Enjoy!

[WinslowPorker]

Exactly and that was always the idea from day one, and now for the enjoying!!

[Wizard]

Sorry you have missed read or interpreted what I wrote.At Dovecotes in the yard are some special waste skips that are sealable Through the plant wall comes elevator chute and down this chute come the heads and lower legs. This is plainly visible from the yard and even I find it distressing.

[WinslowPorker]

I suppose its just the harsh reality of being a meat eater George and its part of the process of getting that big bone in rib joint for sunday lunch!!

[plumseverywhere]

I can see George's point. I remember as a child going to the local one to pick up tripe for our german shepherds, I would have been about 7 so 30 years ago this is - I can still remember the sights, sounds and smells    I could see into the skips, they were not hidden at all.

tony works for the farmers union on the insurance side and as a vegetarian, abbatoir visits are the only places he refuses to do surveys (consciencious objection).

my children and I had this conversation only yesterday though about how pigs and other stock from smallholdings will have had a happier life leading up to becoming our food - I know I'd rather eat from happy stock than mass produced miserable stock. 

[WinslowPorker]

totally agree plums i think thats where the satisfaction comes after you pick them up from butcher and start the eat-a-thon!! just knowing they at least had the opportunity to be 'piggy' 

[Wizard]

Yes its like that at Dovecote I am quite surprised they get away with it in this H&S  age  I am sure that some children must go for a ride with Dad to take the animals

[WinslowPorker]

Well thats it the great WP pig rearing escapade has finally reached completion this morning with the last 3 gone to slaughter. I must admit that i was not bothered went the first ones went but becasue this is the last ones, i am at a bit of a loss and it is going to be very quiet now.

Oh well more pork chops on Friday and then planning for next years weaners. what a great experience and anyone reading this who is toying with the idea my advice is to do it, it is just so much fun and you do get an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when you get them back from the butcher.

[Wizard]

I dare bet Princess reckons its more satisfaction when its on her plate ready to eat.How does she like em wi chips and beanz

[WinslowPorker]

Chips is always a sure fire bet Wiz, sometimes pasta but never ever beans, no matter how hard i try she thinks they are 'sgusting daddy'