Ok, well since you actually know me, you know I am trying to not spend any money. But, I guess a charger would be cheap insurance to keep them in? But, on the other hand, we could set them loose and then "hunt" them in a few years. LOL
Anyone raise and process their own hogs?
- Thread starter lftd&pwrstrok'n
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Ok, well since you actually know me, you know I am trying to not spend any money. But, I guess a charger would be cheap insurance to keep them in? But, on the other hand, we could set them loose and then "hunt" them in a few years. LOL
Or we could just bbq the little ones. It would be like a personal pizza.
We are going over tonight after work to talk to her uncle and look at the pigs. I will know more at that time. Not sure just how small the small ones are at this point.
Not worth the hassle. I worked in a facility that processed hogs and cattle all through college. I got pretty good at breaking quarters of beef, and processing hogs.
If you decide to do it...you'll need good tools to make the job bearable. You'll need good knives, some good saws, and most importantly some meat hooks. Don't get the giant captain hook style meat hooks, get something smaller that will allow you some precision and ability to separate muscle and pick up smaller pieces. Something half the diameter of a bic ballpoint pin is just about right. You'll need good boning knives..4-5" max fillet style knives. They need to be flexible, that's very important. Don't forget a plastic armguard and a steel. The armguards are cheap and worth every last cent.
Don't forget a meat hook..
A hot wire will keep them in but require a lot of maintenance. Limbs falling on it, pigs crashing through it...etc. Hog panels like greenpanther posted are the way to go.
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Thanks everyone. We have decided for now to forgo the pig project. Got too much going on already.
Yes and it's a huge hobby. They're loud, filthy and hateful at times but..... they are delicious. If you do it, definitely have it processed by a reputable shop. If you have never raised anything before I would urge you to raise chickens or something like that before getting pigs.
If it weren't for the need to "feed them out"; we would be in. I found a butcher that will process for a cut of the meat. There are 20 pigs that he is trying to give away, so I'd still have more meat than I would know what to do w/.
We currently have 65 chickens, 20 ducks, 4 colonies of bees and 3 cows. We are used to stinky, loud, and hateful
Graining 20 pigs will be a big investment but if you know how to raise animals and have the room I would do it then. We always sell meat to friends and family. Not by the pound, by the animal and they pay processing.
That's the problem, I don't have the pens set up and don't want to set them up for feeding them out.
I just want to pick them up and deliver to the butcher and then go pick up my meat. And, since it isn't that easy, I am not going to mess w/ it.
Eli Miller of Oikin' Acres Farmstead might be able to give you some information. I'm not sure if he's on here. But you can look him and his company up on Facebook.
