I just wanted to show you our new additions. We’re raising 4 pigs as a co-op with some other people and will ship them off to market in a couple of months. We’re all sharing the feed cost, and will split the animals when the time comes.
These little critters are called rejects, which means they either don’t have the markings or there’s some type of blemish on the pig that make it unable to sell to local farmers. If they’re purchased to raise and butcher for commercial use they won’t accept any pigs that aren’t completely pink or any with small scratches or imperfections. That’s when we come in and scoop them up, these pigs would have been destroyed otherwise. We got 5 but one didn’t make it, we think the mamma had rolled over on it and did some internal damage. Two of the pigs have scratches on their face that happened during their delivery but that doesn’t affect the meat in any way. It’s amazing they almost give the rejects away, so it’s a great way to get pigs for next to nothing.
They’re growing like crazy, and get excited to see the vegetable scraps I have been feeding them. Right now they’re at that cute stage, but it won’t be long before they’re chubby, dirty pigs.
Ohhhhhh Dawn they are so cute. I have to give it to you that you can send them off when they are big to the butcher. I would not be able to do that. I would have names for all of them and a cute pig pen for them in my backyard LOL!. I guess that is why I would never make it as a animal farmer lol! Wow that is very interesting about if they have a blemish or minor flaw they are rejected. Crazy. Glad you could get them at a great price and still reap the benefits from raising them. Amoung all your talents now you can say you have raised pigs. You go girl.
Kris
Kris, they are cute aren’t they? I’m intentionally not getting close to them for just that reason. We raised beef cows when I was a kid and I remember becoming a vegetarian for quite some time just because we named and petted them. I’m not making that mistake this time.
The only thing these piglets are guilty of is being too cute!!! Thank you for rescuing them….we certainly need more people like you to do this. Even though we retired to more of a country setting and we have horses and cows in the neighborhood, I find pigs are adorable. The first year we moved here, we went to get some veggies at the farmers stall and were greeted by this big huge black hog….he was like a happy dog greeting everyone. Sadly, he had a farm accident last year and when we asked about him, we were allowed to visit him. He wasn’t doing too well and resting in the barn….by his grunts we can tell he was happy to see us (hopefully!!) I think it is time to go pay him a visit and pick up a few pumpkins too!! Did you name them or is that getting too attached ?
No, I didn’t name them. I was afraid I wouldn’t want to send them off or eat them if I felt that attached. We are getting 5 more next weekend. I hope they are ready for the market before it gets too cold here. I love that you take time to visit the black pig, that adorable and so sweet.
Okay. I don’t understand why in the world they care if the piglets have scratches or blemishes or spots. Isn’t it the meat that they want? I didn’t know this! Great and thrifty! However did you find out about these? Interesting…so very interesting! And they are certainly cute as babies, but not so much later. 🙂
Yvonne, it is just proticall around here and it’s common knowledge. I agree it’s the meat not the color of the animal, crazy isn’t it? I agree not so cute when they get bigger. We get 5 more this weekend.
Farmer Dawn has been added to your title. I was raised on a farm and we raised pigs and beef. Not to name an animal is very wise. You know what your eating when youu raise it your self. But it still is work but worth it…its just a shame that farmers don’t make more money at the market considering all the work and time that goes into it. Little cuties for sure!
Cheryl, we always raided beef cows growing up. I think that may be our next adventure here.