a probably 3 month old pig walked into my yard..now what?

[sadieml]

@Bossroo I think the idea isn't the individual farmers who (like your wife's cousin) take pride in what they do and love it. It's just that there are so many corporate poopie-heads who only see the bottom line. They convince people to put their discomfort aside and raise animals dispassionately. Like they're just a row of cabbages. When you look at it the way the corporate machine does, everything is just numbers on paper. That's how people who have been part of the production machine suddenly "wake up" one day and find that they are part of something like the Tyson or Perdue or whatever abusive corporate farming scheme. I don't think any farmer goes into it with his heart numb or dead. I'm pretty sure they all feel (or have felt) the way we backyard farmers feel. We are always conscious of the fact that these are animals we are raising, and they have feelings. Sure, a chicken may have a brain the size of a lima bean, but when you raise it you know it's a life you're taking. Just because they may be dumb as rocks doesn't mean they have no feelings like rocks. If everyone could just hold on to that feeling, the importance of life, EVERY LIFE, we would live in a much different world. Unfortunately, as a Christian from a family of faith I don't see that happening, but one can always hope and pray otherwise.

 

[heckerdy]

I understand what you are saying and thank you Bassroo but my buying my meat the way I do isn't because of myths
I have made my decision based on facts.

I have seen for myself, done my own research and spoken to folks …… the ridiculously over embellished stories that make it appear all hog and other farmers are mean to animals…did come from the truth and while it is not then entire reason ..it is part of it because it is true what has happened ….but that is besides the point I can not argue it and won't …Sadiemi just answered that part well enough

my truth is found in nurturing small farmers for a larger purpose ….the future of our world ..diversity is the key to survival and there is no diversity in these larger hog farms and that matters to me

I give my money to people who work hard to diversify and promote heritage farming

so every penny I spend on food I think about before I spend it and where it so going

I never eat in chain restaurants either for the same reason …diversity

 

[Mini Horses]

I can relate to what you say EXCEPT....chickens are dumb as rocks.

It's amazing that they can remember how to get back to their coop sometimes.....strange house, wandering along. Among other things. Yep, may be smarter than ya think!

If those non-animal raisers were to have time and opportunity to watch animals and their habits, memories, etc., they would be amazed at some aspects. Yes, some is habit but most is memory. They can be a learning experience. Just my opinion.

 

[heckerdy]

you guys are amazing thanks so much!

 

[Mini Horses]

 

[heckerdy]

Happy Solstice you guys as the days grow longer so may your hopes and dreams for the future wow then Christmas then NYs and then we start all over again ! One of my 93 year old patients told me one day " life is like a roll of toilet paper the closer you get to the end..the faster it spins" true as can be that is! ..…the days are so short here they start at 830is and end at 430 Talk about needing some Vit D… i just want to eat Christmas cookies and sleep!

ok Bacon update..we found a butcher she is amazing but her baby is due when Bacon is "due" so that may be good or bad .they said they were looking for "smaller jobs" during that time so maybe we are "that" ? the price is good they are really nice folks and very much into charcuterie ..they teach butchering and curing classes ..but do not charge a fortune ..so fingers crossed Bacon will meet his destiny with these folks because they DO scald and are another pig folk that do not believe in castration ..you guys I am not joking folks here do not castrate ..at least the ones I am meeting and they have 100% told me there is no problem with taint as long as they are out in the fresh air and pasture feed that very very few intact mails get that horrid flavor.

I am as shocked as anyone that they are not doing it because of what I have read and learned about dogs even ..but I have friends with intact male dogs who are as well mannered as my neutered boy so whatever it is too late to continue the discussion since the set he has are obviously not going anywhere …but I am in less fear of the meat begin ruined now.

ok here is a strange behavior he does ..he gathers 2-3 sticks or rocks before bed and lays them out .Iwhat is that?
this photo was last week he is obviously larger even now and well over 100lbs and more than 3 ft long is UNDULATING now… I want him to be fat even though it goes against everything in my nature to make anything obese on purpose …….I am doing it …he eats what I make him and I feed him like a Sumo wrestler

we have had so much rain we had to build him a platform to eat on his "hut" is tidy warm and dry but his "yard" is a mud pit and looks horrid he has unearthed boulders and dug to China ..I just can not look

so there you have it more Bacon! hope all is finding you well and again Happy HOlidays ! we love them all!

 

[Latestarter]

Good to hear from you, it's been a while. Glad Bacon is filling out nicely for his purpose. He looks positively spoiled... a heat lamp? LOL Hope you have a merry Christmas and two free pigs for the new year!

 

[Baymule]

Bacon looks like a happy pig. Do you think you would do this again?

 

[sadieml]

@heckerdy - How are things? For you and for Bacon. Is he bacon, yet or still Bacon? Can't wait to hear how this all ends. I mean, obviously with a butcher, but how big will he be, etc.? Lots of questions. Update us, please.

 

[Latestarter]

She hasn't been on since that last post. Hope all is OK with her. Hope she returns. I've been thinking about her story as well and wondering how it all turned out.