[Sarah]

Thanks for those, I am going to try bacon this time but might leave sausages until next time as I am planning to put a mincer/sausage stuffer on our wedding list this summer!
The butcher we are using this time will make sausages for 80p a pound but doesn't do bacon. I'm gong to ask for the casings though, am I right in thinking I can freeze them?

I was reading some bacon recipes that were talking about re salting the bacon daily and draining off the liquid, but the leaving it in the fridge sounds much better.

I was also reading about saltpetre and how it can be dangerous (not just in bombs Mr Ree!) as it can be toxic and potentially carcinogenic. The site said that most butchers now use an alternative but didn't say what it was! I will post it if I find out.
I suppose that you can find a website claiming health risks with almost any substance though... )
There seems to be a lot of contradiction, one person seemed to be saying that you could use the stuff you get from garden centres instead of foodgrade saltpetre! Don't think I will be trying that.

Thanks for the link rustyme, that looks like the kind of job Will would love, he's just a big scout at heart!

I rang the butcher and gave him my wish list for cuts etc, I gave him a list based on yours Hilarysmum,  he seemed to think I was a bit mad though. I am just hoping that there will be enough room in the freezer for all the piggy bits.

Just tagging to be done this weekend and they are off at 7 on Monday night.

Had an inspection from trading standards yesterday, apparently we have excellent animal welfare and very good paperwork!

[Hilarysmum]

Good luck for Monday, Sarah.  Yes you can freeze skins.  Ask at the chemist for the alternative to salt petre or try

http://www.sausagemaking.org/

Postage is free in UK but horrendous to France.  Their forum is a useful source of recipes.

If you use a piece of belly for your first attempt at bacon its not quite such a loss if it goes wrong.  Although it shouldnt.

HM

[applepigs]

We are about to send our first pigs off to slaughter and have worked out we need metal ear tags, thanks to you all.  But...which number are we putting on the tag?  Also we have heard of mobile slaughtermen who can come to your farm and do it all there with no tags.  Is this legal in UK?

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi,

Have a look here - we sell lots of these.

https://www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk/pig-identification-c-98_109.html

[Dundonald hens]

Kelchums.co.uk is about 75 % cheaper than supplies for smallholdings.

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi,

As mentioned on the other post, please use a calculator, if the budget doesnt run to one we will gladly post one to you FOC

[shetlandpaul]

50-80 pence is ok. the ketums site does not give a price. if you only want a couple try your feed merchents. SFS do you do the pliers to go with the tags.

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi Paul,

Yes we do the pliers to go with the Qwiksilver tags - Pliers are priced at £12.10 including Vat.

Management numbering can also be printed on the tags at no extra charge.

Thanks

[Hilarysmum]

SFS tags are very good   Even allowing for postage to France they were still far cheaper than buying direct here.  (Brittany)

[Dundonald hens]

Supplies I would like a calculator please I will forward you my address could you please make it a solar powered one so that i do not need to buy batterys as i have no budget pmsl

[supplies for smallholders]

Dear Mr. D.Hens

Thank You, I got the pm with your address - I will pop a calculator in the post for you tomorrow.

I dont think a solar powered one would be much use for you though. as:

a) It won't get enough light from a single candle to make it work, and
b) I've already determined you are a canny man with an eye for a bargain, so it will be a poundland special to suit your tastes ;-)

Have a great night