Here they are once corralled and waiting on the cattle trailer-
The largest weighed in around 375 lbs. The smaller two weighed around 325 lbs. We already received our hanging weights (amount they weighed after killed and initial carcass processing) so we are fairly certain of these weights.
That is larger than we want them to get (ideally weight at time of kill should be 275 lbs) because once over 275 lbs the amount of feed they consume to maintain their weight is not economically efficient. These pigs were 36 WEEKS old. Usually they are sent off around 28 weeks (I think, my mind is failing me this morning).
Here are the pigs at around 8 weeks old when we got them back in May-
Now 6 months later-
(Just FYI as I say this every year. No hormones or meds of any kind (other than wormer), pigs just naturally grow fast. Another FYI, growth hormones are illegal in all US swine production.)
I get asked every year if it is sad to send them off. I say yes and no. I believe animals should be respected so we try to treat them as well as possible by allowing them lots of space for foraging and roaming. Knowing they had a good life makes me not so sad. As a Christian I feel strongly about treating all of God's creation with respect; since God commanded us to be good stewards. Now is this type of swine farming possible and/or needed for large markets? That's another post for another time. If you feel eating animals is wrong all together I am happy to have a civilized conversation about that as well (and I do respect that viewpoint, we don't eat as much meat as we used to).
Other pig posts that will blow your mind:
The Big Pig Post
How Much Pork In A Pig
Pasture Raised Pork, Is It Worth It?
My personal favorite - Pig Lard vs. The World
Curing Hams
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