Poor Vince. I want everything but it isn’t like I’m asking for diamonds or a new car. I want practical stuff – a root cellar, a smokehouse, a pig! Heck, I want a milk cow, alpacas for fiber, goats for milk. Everything I want is so useful!
Vince just sent me this as part of an email:
Shelia has a baby pig for you.
Unfortunately, there was more to the email:
No we don’t need it.
I’ll remind him of that every time we buy pork in the grocery store!
We have enough land that we could easily set the pen up far enough from anyone so no one can smell it and if it’s a big enough spot, it wouldn’t be too bad.
Anyone want to bet on whether or not I can get the pig? My guess . . NO!
I don’t know how long it takes before a baby pig is big enough to butcher. I’ll figure it out. I think Vince’s biggest complaint is that when I’m in MO, that’s another thing he has to deal with. If it doesn’t take forever, maybe I could convince him that I won’t go til the pig is ready to be butchered. Better yet, maybe I could convince my friend here to feed it and water it and do whatever else has to be done while I’m gone and I could give her bacon and pork chops! Maybe I’ll talk to her before I really beg for the pig.
thequiltingprofessor says
You are so fun! Ideally, you get a pig in April, grow corn to feed in summer, slaughter in dec. but, heck, you only live once, do it. There are automatic feeders, you know. Mother Earth news is a good source for info.
Have fun.
Moneik Stephens says
We usually get baby pigs right now and they are ready to butcher in January/February time frame.
Sue S says
http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/livestock/pigs/how-to-raise-a-pig-for-meat/ is an interesting article…
Msjaarda says
Around 6 months til butchering weight. My money is on – you will eventually get a pig!
Sherrill says
Ohhh, I could NOT do that!! I mean yes, I like bacon and steak and chicken but it’s gotta come from the grocery store. Could never kill them after taking care of them. There’s a guy not too far from me that has been bringing two little baby cows and grazing them and I know what’s going to happen to them. 🙁 But the one he has out there now is all alone, all by himself, lonely!! 🙁 Nope, couldn’t do it!
Ranch Wife says
Vince is right. You don;t need one…you need TWO! They raise better if they aren’t alone. I can hear Vince now: You can’t talk to that crazy ranch wife anymore!
Tee says
My neighbor kept a runaway pig from a pig farm near us (once it is off the property they cannot put it back in the pig population for fear of disease) and that was the worst to let go when it was time to butcher. He was blind, but really smart, so he would hear me coming with kitchen scraps and start singing for his supper before I got in the barn door. He loved to be scratched and loved a big pool of water to roll around in. When it came time to butcher, I didn’t go near their property for a month afterwards. I didn’t accept any pork chops or ham, just couldn’t do it. This is from a girl who is pretty practical and not squeamish when it comes to most farm chores.
Anne says
Have friends who raise pigs. They think that more than one works best. And about 6 months to butcher. And the meat is fabulous, so different from the grocery store.
I have friends who raise rabbits, pigs, goats and cows for meat. Love eating at their house!