missuscluck Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 We have been given the go ahead to use the patch of land that we used last year once again to raise pigs for slaughter as a shared projest with some friends. We are going to meet our future dinner tommorrow as our friends sow has had a litter of piglets. They are gloucester old spots as we had last year. Also the icing on the cake is that we have been offered the use of a patch adjacent to the pigs field to use to raise some meat birds. Chickens then hopefully some turkeys for Xmas. This is a new venture for us as we have always only had chickens for eggs. We are being taught by our smallholding friend about dispatch and dressing of poultry so this will be a first too. Im so exited about all of this and it looks like we are in for a busy summer. Can anyone remember what variety of bird the white hens on chicken out were. Did he say or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Ooh, that is exciting! My DH would love a pig (assuming we ever moved somewhere that had space) but I'm not sure he'd have the heart to eat it - he got very upset when one of our chickens died recently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 That is great news! I think the TV birds were Ross Cobs, the same as Lesleys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Very exciting - sounds like great fun . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 My Hubbie would be sooooo jealous. He'd love to do that. Congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Fantastic. I'm very jealous. Dont get too attached Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I'd love to do this too. But I'd have to knock down next door's house and several others. OH says it's a no-no Maybe one day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 hubby thinks the chooks were either Cobbs or Hubbards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Thats great news Will you all share the work in looking after them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Fantastic. What an opportunity! Don't give any of the animals names or you won't be able to do the deed when the time comes. Are you taking orders from customers yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Sounds great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 they were Ross chickens. i know some one who breeds them if you need any info. How exciting for you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 My OH is very jealous he would love to keep pigs. i will be very interested in how you go on with this. keep us informed please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Wow that's greta news. I'd love to do something like that and own a field myself, but all the ones near us go for stupidly high prices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted February 3, 2008 Author Share Posted February 3, 2008 Hi all, Thanks for the info on the ross cobb chooks. I will try our usual supplyer who we get the layers from first then take it from there. If I get stuck I will ask again for contacts. Hopefully we can get them localy. We have to go and check out the shed on the land and do any neccesary chickeny conversions. I think it has been used for chooks before so hopefully it wont need to much doing to it. We are so lucky to be given the oportunity to use this patch of land. We will be giving him some meat in return. We did the piggies last year on the same patch and had 6 which went to slaughter early October last year. The children gave them names and they were cute to start with but as they get bigger they are not as cute!! It was not to traumatic to part with them and we have really enjoyed eating it. We have just had a nice joint of pork for lunch Very tasty!! The chickens for meat will be a learning curve for us though. I will keep you posted as to how we are getting on. I know where to come for good advice........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Lynda that's great, It would be so nice if you could keep some sort of blog of your progress and experiences while doing this, I'd keep a keen eye on it and I bet it would inspire others! Well done, we'll have to pop along and have a look at some point, I'll bring a flask Good on you! xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted February 3, 2008 Author Share Posted February 3, 2008 That sounds great. Ill let you know when we are up and running. I make a mean cake (lovley eggs) you would be more than welcome. I dont have a blog at the mo, but yes that would be a good idea. Not sure how to go about it as yet, but Im sure I could find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 look forward to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 We have been to see the new piglets with mummy pig. They are lovley. We will be going to collect them around easter time. They are a litter of 10 altogether with 7 of them girls and 4 of them boys. We are having the 4 boys and possibly some girls depending on weather they go for breeding or not. Nearly dropped my camera in pig poo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 they'll have a lovely life under your care until the times comes, the way it should be. Aren't they cute, I wouldn't be able to do it, I'd end up giving them names and keeping them as pets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Ooooh, they are so cute and squibbly! (don't like them when they grow up though ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I love pigs, (always have) but not for eating they are gorgeous little piggies, so cute with all their spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
