The moveable pig pen is still a success. However, as they've gotten older they root up and turn their area into mud extremely fast. Like, we're talking a couple hours after moving the pen to a new spot.
"Mmm, that camera smells tasty. I am a pig. I eat anything and everything. Could I please eat that camera?"
Pig butts, pig butts! (now would be the moment my 14 yr old son would mention, once again, "Mom, you are so mature.")
It is just about butchering time for these piggies. Being that we're a couple of crazy hardcore DIY homesteaders, we shall be doing the butchering ourselves. Oy. I'll let you know how that goes.
;)
They're looking great! We'll be butchering a pig and a goat once it warms up enough that they won't freeze solid.
ReplyDeleteWe're still so new to this crazy hardcore diy butchering stuff :p that I'm totally fuzzy on the best temps to do it, and- is it necessary to leave the meat out for days to "tenderize" it? I see books that say that. I'm not exactly sure what that means or if our meat wouldn't be as yummy if we don't leave it sitting out for hours?days? before freezing it.
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to hear about your pig butchering adventure!
I have vivid memories of my parents butchering a few of our own pigs- quite the task! I never took part in these ventures, although I did assist with many a chicken.
ReplyDeleteThose little piggies are "Hamming" it up for you aren't they?! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThey look good.
We did ours in December. We live in the south. It doesn't get cold enough to freeze anything here. LOL! But what we did do was put them in a big ol' bathtub full of ice and water after butchering to let the meat cool. We did it overnight.
Use a good gun. Not a .22!
That's neat, cargillwitch. I never got to witness where my meat came from as a child. You were lucky. :)
ReplyDeleteGracefulMommy, I can't imagine not having freezing temps at all! lol I have to bring my diaper pail inside for awhile to thaw before I can wash the diapers. They are too frozen solid to get out of the pail! lol