After reaching 6 months old, their departure is getting ever closer so I’m monitoring the progress of our two weaners more closely to provide some useful reference information for the future. Even after having them for just 3-4 months I cannot imagine a situation in the future when I wouldn’t have some pigs for at least part of the year.
The 26 week weigh-in
The usual calculation has been repeated yet again…
Twirly
Heart Girth (measuring around the body just behind the front legs) = 0.91 m
Length (measured from between the ears to the base of the tail) = 1.00 m
This means that the approximate weight is: (0.91 ² x 1.00 x 69.3) = 57.4 kg
No Tail
Heart Girth (measuring around the body just behind the front legs) = 1.00 m
Length (measured from between the ears to the base of the tail) = 1.05 m
This means that the approximate weight is: (1.00 ² x 1.05 x 69.3) = 72.8 kg
Conclusion
The measurements and weight calculations each week may not have any direct effect on the results but it is very useful to have a record of their progress over the final month or two. It will be particularly interesting to compare the difference in weight gain for these two with any future pigs we have because there is still no obvious explanation for it.
There are just one or two more important jobs left to be done – firstly, collecting our shiny new trailer which will be needed to transport them to the abattoir and secondly deciding on a cutting list so that the butcher knows how we would like the carcasses dealt with.
I’m still having difficulties imagining what two pigs worth of pork will look like but luckily we have a chest freezer which is fairly empty so just ave to hope it will all fit!
The sausage making trial last weekend was a minor shambles and a timely reminder that you get what you pay for. The cheap and cheerful manual mincer we originally tried using was just not up to the job so a proper electric mincer/stuffer is now on order!