HENthusiastic Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 I'm going to Ripon on Saturday for a one day pig keeping course how eggciting!!! We get to do some theory and some hands on stuff. Cant wait. Its my birthday present from June. No plans for pigs as yet, but one day, hopefully before too long. Can never do any harm to learn a thing or two more eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Very ! You'll want to come home with one or three Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Look forward to the pig photos then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Aw Hen, you lucky thing, im so jealous and if you come home with no pigs i'll be shocked! Your field is crying out for little piggies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 You'll have great fun - we loved the day we did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Hubby wants pigs - but not sure whether to go for pork or bacon pigs eventually. At what age do each get butchered? Have a great time with the piggies! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Hubby wants pigs - but not sure whether to go for pork or bacon pigs eventually. At what age do each get butchered? Have a great time with the piggies! Emma.x Pork pigs are grown on until about 26 weeks and bacon pigs for about 32 weeks but the main difference is in the butchery. We have Berkshires as they are good for either and we ask the abattoir to butcher them as either pork or bacon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Ahhh thank you for that Lesley - that is really interesting. My hubby honestly thought that bacon pigs were grown on until about a year old. I think I need to buy him a book on starting with pigs! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 - sounds like a good idea. Rare breed pigs just put fat on after a certain stage - and the abattoir complain We had a couple of pigs stay longer when Foot and Mouth was around and they were soooooo fat by the time we took them! We sell by the half pig and not weight fortunately! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Can you have the meat back once sold to the abbatoir - or do you buy the meat back? Sorry for so many questions, but we have a lot to learn & sooo many questions. Write that book Lesley - I need it! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 We don't sell to the abattoir - we just take the animals along and they hang the meat for us and then butcher it. We collect and pay. Sorry - off topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 That's what we do too, drop the pigs off on a Sunday night, they get done first thing Monday then we pick the butchered meat up on Friday, they will do sausages, bacon and gammon for us too. Although we have started using a butcher who picks the carcasses up for us, butchers them and then we pick the meat up from him, he does a slightly more refined job than the abbatoir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 When will I grow into my ears please? This is Stuart, she loved having her tummy stroked (excuse my unruly hair!!) How cute is this? I had a fantastic day. Really enjoyed myself and feel that I now know the basics of pig keeping. Stuart BROKE my boots by pulling at the laces so hard that she pulled the stitching apart! the place was really nice, great ethics towards animal keeping. They also do furtniture making, benches and chairs, using branches of trees. I want to do that next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Stuart BROKE my boots by pulling at the laces so hard that she pulled the stitching apart! an educational day then. One of the first lessons in pig keeping is to tuck the laces on your Dubarrys inside! I have a pair of sandally things I wear in the summer with a velcro strap round the heel, the piglets love attacking them Love the tummy tickle pic, we used to have a boar who would nearly knock you over flinging himself at your feet to have his tummy tickled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Sounds like a great course - lovely photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Just love all those piggy bottoms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Fab pics , lokks like you had a great day. Can't wait until I see piggies trotting about the field, and then get invited over for a bacon buttie yum yum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
