NH homesteader
Herd Master
I made it once and it came out fine. Not great but fine. I have to figure out how to make the colors and scents. Essential oils I assume? What about colors?
AGH--Breeders & eating them
- Thread starter Mini Horses
- Start date
You might PM @babsbag as I know that she is or was a big time soap maker with her goats milk. It's one of the primary reasons she's opening a dairy. I believe that she even taught/teaches classes.
Oh yes! get both... 2 of each even! more is better!
NH homesteader
Herd Master
Goat brains! I personally appreciate having both goats and pigs. And this is why! Now I can make soap with just buying lye!
Thanks, I'll have to ask her... I'm across the country so I won't be stealing any business from her hehe
Thanks, I'll have to ask her... I'm across the country so I won't be stealing any business from her hehe
Just as an aside, being as where you're at and all... the best lye is made using birch wood ash 
And you don't have to buy that either. you make your own. And to test it for strength, you have chickens and only need a couple of their heavy feathers. When they dissolve, the lye is right. 
And you don't have to buy that either. you make your own. And to test it for strength, you have chickens and only need a couple of their heavy feathers. When they dissolve, the lye is right.
NH homesteader
Herd Master
How do you make it?
NH homesteader
Herd Master
I can't watch the video here but I will when I have real internet. I am so trying it though!
- Thread starter
- #49
Mini Horses
Herd Master
It's ok that a "pig" thread became a sorta "goat" thread. I have both and do make soap. Have always used oils, not lard, because I didn't have it available, now I do.
Have always used products chemical free, even buy food grade lye. But may try a batch with the lard I have. I do use and sell the soaps -- generally at craft shows, some beauty shops, etc.
My grandmother always made her own lye, soap with lard from a butchered hog. In those days you did it or did without.
Soooo...on CL tonight I see sales for Mangalitsa pigs. Waaaay expensive. Looked it up and they are a breed that is a lard hog, very hairy -- in fact, some are curly -- and, overall, just a hairier, larger type of AGH. Except for price! Wow, I couldn't afford to butcher one.
Don't know about personality but, the AGH is not naturally aggressive. Obviously you watch them but, normally not.
Have always used products chemical free, even buy food grade lye. But may try a batch with the lard I have. I do use and sell the soaps -- generally at craft shows, some beauty shops, etc.
My grandmother always made her own lye, soap with lard from a butchered hog. In those days you did it or did without.
Soooo...on CL tonight I see sales for Mangalitsa pigs. Waaaay expensive. Looked it up and they are a breed that is a lard hog, very hairy -- in fact, some are curly -- and, overall, just a hairier, larger type of AGH. Except for price! Wow, I couldn't afford to butcher one.
Don't know about personality but, the AGH is not naturally aggressive. Obviously you watch them but, normally not.
@luvmypets just acquired 3 Mangelitsa pig(let)s a couple of months ago. She has some pics up on her thread. One of them really does have a very curly haired coat. I haven't even started researching what I want for pigs yet... I'd like a good food to meat conversion and well marbled, tasty pork. I don't want a "lot" of fat, but don't want exceptionally lean pork either. I do want a fairly good quantity of lard for cooking and other uses. I wouldn't mind doing a heritage breed that's a little slower growing and can thrive on pasture without rooting it all up and destroying it... I'd like to get piglets in the spring and have them ready for butcher in the late fall. Maybe keep 1 gilt and a boar for breeding. Do they breed year round? I mean I guess they must... SO much I don't know and still need to learn 
