These Big Piggies Went to the Butcher. . .

to be made into sausage, bacon, steaks and scrapple.  They were our composters all summer and fall and enjoyed lazy days in the fresh air.  Their diets were extremely healthy - milk, food scrapes (no meat), mango beets and turnip tops.  Every time we raise pigs, I am reminded on how much it is an insult if someone indicates that you are anything like a pig (you know, comments like - "stop chewing like a pig").  And their eyes. . . they seem to look right through you!  We also know they would eat you alive if you happened to fall into their pen.  But, we continue to raise them for the meat.  Nothing like sausage or scrapple for breakfast!  To kill the pigs, Ben takes his pistol and shots them in the forehead (I know, it really is not a kind thing to do, is it? but it is a more humane way then some of the slaughter houses do it).  It will stun them and then their throats are slit so they bleed out.

Loaded up to take back to butcher shop....

We did not realize how much the cows would take an interest in what was going on.  Quite a pesty audience they were!

 skun out and ready to be gutted

Look like an appealing job?

Sawing in half

They were so lean that we will not be able to make lard :(

Soon to be bacon.....

We make our own without nitrates and nitrites, only salt.  Before we fry it, we have to cook it slightly first to remove some of the salt.  Down side of not using preservatives.

Roast ready for freezer....

pig heart....the medical world uses the valves from these hearts to replace faulty ones in human hearts

Finally, on the table....

To be continued after Saturday when we are making the scrapple and sausage....

Until next time. . . . . .