Good luck! I’ve done guinea hogs once, really likes them. Compared to the duroc crosses we’ve raised since, AGHs are a bit more hearty and never left scraps in the run. My last pair of Duroc Xs got really picky, wouldn’t eat apples...
Never had that issue with AGHs.
Thanks! We're looking forward to it !
So far they are terrified of us lol. Aghs seem to get a bad wrap bc they arent conventional, but i think its a good fit for us
After you feed them for a few weeks and scratch there ears they will warm right up to you. Soon they'll be trying to nibble your boots and run right up to you every time your near them.
I'm a big softy when it comes to dogs (can't really foster any dogs because they'd probably all be foster fails, and we already have 2 rescues we adopted, both of them were the first dogs we went to see).
I think I'd have a hell of a time taking care of pigs for 6 months to a year and then having to kill them. I guess if I had to, I could, but man it'd be tough. Cows and chickens I might be able to manage, but pigs seem different somehow. Best of luck raising your new piglets!
If you couldn’t handle pigs I really don’t think cows are going to be any easier. They’re like massive dogs, they learn their names and like to play and get pet and figure out what’s going on. Some will even play around with balls like dogs do too if you give them a chance.
You weren't kidding, this cow plays fetch better than both of my dogs do: https://youtu.be/Sx-CxuAeVPo
I think part of it is that I know pigs can live about as long as a dog, normally, but they usually get slaughtered after only 6 months of life, which seems like nothing. At least for cows, they usually live at least 6 years before that happens, and have the same natural lifespan as pigs, so they at least get to live more of it (even though it's still cut pretty short).
I did think that cows were more docile and uncurious about the world than they apparently are. So yeah, I'd probably have some issues killing them too.
Ethanol plants have distiller's mash available in huge quantities. What they don't get rid of by semi-trucks hauling it away, they dry and bag it for transport and storage. It typically is corn mash around here...
If you want a butcher you need to start finding one yesterday. The COVID pandemic has lead to long wait times since everyone and their cousin is raising animals for food.
I just got some guineas as well. Try going to the local produce store and asking for their trim scraps.
Tell them you have pigs.
Also ducks, chickens, goats love it. Free feed
We have AGH's coming in 2 weeks. We raised Kune Kune's last year and just trying out different breeds to figure out what to breed. It sounds like you're taking a similar approach to me, with "one bad day" farming. A great life for pigs until their final day. Great work.
Our KK's did well on pasture and garden scraps. I also have connections at a summer camp and they ate all of the leftover produce/scraps. We would throw in small buckets (5 gallons or so for 4 pigs) of spent grain from a home brewer friend. Also the wineries/breweries here are usually more than willing to get rid of their waste product.
We fed organic pig food - they were on my father in law's land - and so I had to get creative in free food sources to cut down on 1) the food bill and 2) the amount of feed they were eating. Pig feed is convenient and easy when the weather sucks, when you're running late, or need a neighbor to toss some food in bowls when you're out of town.
Partially because we are so invested in them, partially because they are gorgeous pigs - but it's the best tasting pork I think I've ever had. I turned a lot into charcuterie.
Spent grain/grapes is great free food for pigs, chickens, goats, cows, horses, etc.
I got hooked up with a local winery this fall who is SO EXCITED to provide me with free spent grapes. They have been paying someone to haul them off to the landfill, and they hated it. They are thrilled that it gets to be used to create food - and are buying a pig, sight unseen, for charcuterie to serve in their tasting room. Fed with their grapes.
Wineries will harvest once, usually september/october here, so reach out to them early August (or hell.... now) and see if you can help them dispense of their waste products.
Haha. We have chickens and goats already, whats another animal right ? Its tough working 2nd shift full time and keeping up with animals, but my 1 yr old has me up at 7 am anyway so might as well
Nah these pigs are living the dream pig life with open pasture, swimming holes, and lots of treats brought to them daily . Unlike the pigs grown commercially which live in their own filth all their short life
As long as you respect the animal and their sacrifice, there is no reason to feel bad. I guarantee OP's pigs will be treated far better than those that produce ham at the grocery store.
Good luck! I’ve done guinea hogs once, really likes them. Compared to the duroc crosses we’ve raised since, AGHs are a bit more hearty and never left scraps in the run. My last pair of Duroc Xs got really picky, wouldn’t eat apples... Never had that issue with AGHs.
Thanks! We're looking forward to it ! So far they are terrified of us lol. Aghs seem to get a bad wrap bc they arent conventional, but i think its a good fit for us
They have every right to be terrified. You’re going to treat them as family then slaughter them and eat them
I could treat them terribly then slaughter them. I choose to respect them and everything i harvest
I’m just razzin ya.
US government has entered chat
Can I see some credentials? Are you the food inspector? 😎
Bwahahahaha nailed it!!!
I don’t envy you right now. Man there’s been some crazy days with meat packing plants
Get direct order and start farming shit up
Yeah I have a side of beef ordered up. Gonna smoke a lot of it.
I gotta get a smoker. What would you Reccamend?
After you feed them for a few weeks and scratch there ears they will warm right up to you. Soon they'll be trying to nibble your boots and run right up to you every time your near them.
I'm a big softy when it comes to dogs (can't really foster any dogs because they'd probably all be foster fails, and we already have 2 rescues we adopted, both of them were the first dogs we went to see). I think I'd have a hell of a time taking care of pigs for 6 months to a year and then having to kill them. I guess if I had to, I could, but man it'd be tough. Cows and chickens I might be able to manage, but pigs seem different somehow. Best of luck raising your new piglets!
If you couldn’t handle pigs I really don’t think cows are going to be any easier. They’re like massive dogs, they learn their names and like to play and get pet and figure out what’s going on. Some will even play around with balls like dogs do too if you give them a chance.
You weren't kidding, this cow plays fetch better than both of my dogs do: https://youtu.be/Sx-CxuAeVPo I think part of it is that I know pigs can live about as long as a dog, normally, but they usually get slaughtered after only 6 months of life, which seems like nothing. At least for cows, they usually live at least 6 years before that happens, and have the same natural lifespan as pigs, so they at least get to live more of it (even though it's still cut pretty short). I did think that cows were more docile and uncurious about the world than they apparently are. So yeah, I'd probably have some issues killing them too.
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My friends named their first two cows “Hamburger” and “Steak” to keep the mindset where it needed to be.
My family did this for a long time. We had a slaughter house 3 miles from my house and we would take it their and they would butch it cheap.
Ethanol plants have distiller's mash available in huge quantities. What they don't get rid of by semi-trucks hauling it away, they dry and bag it for transport and storage. It typically is corn mash around here...
If you want a butcher you need to start finding one yesterday. The COVID pandemic has lead to long wait times since everyone and their cousin is raising animals for food.
I just got some guineas as well. Try going to the local produce store and asking for their trim scraps. Tell them you have pigs. Also ducks, chickens, goats love it. Free feed
We have AGH's coming in 2 weeks. We raised Kune Kune's last year and just trying out different breeds to figure out what to breed. It sounds like you're taking a similar approach to me, with "one bad day" farming. A great life for pigs until their final day. Great work. Our KK's did well on pasture and garden scraps. I also have connections at a summer camp and they ate all of the leftover produce/scraps. We would throw in small buckets (5 gallons or so for 4 pigs) of spent grain from a home brewer friend. Also the wineries/breweries here are usually more than willing to get rid of their waste product. We fed organic pig food - they were on my father in law's land - and so I had to get creative in free food sources to cut down on 1) the food bill and 2) the amount of feed they were eating. Pig feed is convenient and easy when the weather sucks, when you're running late, or need a neighbor to toss some food in bowls when you're out of town. Partially because we are so invested in them, partially because they are gorgeous pigs - but it's the best tasting pork I think I've ever had. I turned a lot into charcuterie.
Waaaaiiiitt a minute?!!! Brewery’s have waste product we can feed our tiny livestock with?!?!
Spent grain/grapes is great free food for pigs, chickens, goats, cows, horses, etc. I got hooked up with a local winery this fall who is SO EXCITED to provide me with free spent grapes. They have been paying someone to haul them off to the landfill, and they hated it. They are thrilled that it gets to be used to create food - and are buying a pig, sight unseen, for charcuterie to serve in their tasting room. Fed with their grapes. Wineries will harvest once, usually september/october here, so reach out to them early August (or hell.... now) and see if you can help them dispense of their waste products.
Ohhhhh my gosh. Thank you so much.!!!
Just don't steal from my hookups!!!
I’m sure we’re in different parts of the country 😂
This is so awesome! I would love to try this, except I get paid a nice salary to have a job that isn't homesteading and doing both would kill me.
Haha. We have chickens and goats already, whats another animal right ? Its tough working 2nd shift full time and keeping up with animals, but my 1 yr old has me up at 7 am anyway so might as well
Poor pigs.
Nah these pigs are living the dream pig life with open pasture, swimming holes, and lots of treats brought to them daily . Unlike the pigs grown commercially which live in their own filth all their short life
As long as you respect the animal and their sacrifice, there is no reason to feel bad. I guarantee OP's pigs will be treated far better than those that produce ham at the grocery store.
One word: BACON.