Ham, Bacon, Sausage, Roast & Chop are just about ready to head for the freezer. These pigs were as good as last years. We've had them just 4 months and they have grown at a steady rate with little fat on them. Each year it gets a little easier as we refine our pig house and feeding system. They get all the surplus milk and vegetables and scraps from the kitchen other than meat in addition to specific pig ration. They are now getting meals three time per day. This has worked very well for us. They should all weigh between 225 and 250 at butchering time. They leave 10/11 and my customers are chomping at the bit. Each year everyone is very satisfied and that makes me happy. I know I've done a good job. A local bistro has asked for a weekly delivery of meat, eggs and vegetables while we have them. This is a weekly income and is a welcome addition to the farm stand.
This is Miss Charlotte. She will be staying at the farm. We have raised her for breeding and she is a sweet, pet pig :) She loves attention and to have her back scratched. I've always had a natural fear of pigs but she has really changed my thinking. Not that I'm not still wary and very respectful of their ability, but she is a big love. Her new "man" will be here in December and hopefully we will have babies in March. Our friend and mentor that has raised pigs for 40 + years has visited and given us instructions on what to build and how to take care of her and her piglets. We are very excited about the prospect of raising our own piglets instead of having to purchase them. A new farm hand will be arriving at the farm in the next day or two. Photos soon :)
11 comments:
Nice pigs! Congrats on the weekly order. That is a wonderful thing. Can't wait to see your new "hand"
The weekly order sounds great! I didn't realize pigs grew so quick. I may grow one up one day.
Oh, do I love fresh pork! I never knew what I was missing until I bought my first pig to go in the freezer 7 years ago....notice I said bought because that chicken side of me still is working on the courage to raise one for the freezer. Do you raise a certain breed of pig?
Terrific! Humble! Just love 'em. Would you consider sharing your "specific pig ration"? I raised pigs in the past, but only got to 180. We are looking to get piglets in the Spring and I'm doing some research to get it right!
I didn't know pigs grew that quickly either. Good luck with Miss. Charlotte, I hope you get some nice piglets in spring :)
Miss Charlotte is really a sweet little pig. I hope she will bring many little piglets.
Very nice pigs! We raised pigs for a while and sold to a couple of people but we had to say no this time around so we could get better facilities up for them! We got tired of trying to load them out of mud! No more! So, we are starting from the beginning and getting the facilities the way we want first then we will get the animals all back on the farm! So, hopefully by next spring, we will have the chickens, pigs, and turkeys back! YOU are one busy lady!! I e-mailed!
Sometime, I will have to share a pig story with you. In fact, I posted a funny one this summer called Pigs Gone Wild. Maybe you will have time to check it out. Thanks for sharing yours. I would like to invite you to participate in Crock Pot Wednesday at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com. Any kind of slow cooker recipe will work. Come check it out.
Those are very nice pigs! I've raised pigs ever since I was 10 years old. I only stopped four years ago. Therefore, I know!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Miss Charlotte looks like a sweetie. Super that you are going to raise your own piglets!
Your Ham, Bacon, Sausage, Roast & Chop made me think of my father-in-law raising two pigs in his suburban garage, pasturing them in his back yard. My mother-in-law didn't like that much, but what she really hated was that he named them after her two sisters.
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