Taking the pigs to the processor. What was our feed cost?

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... Country View Acres, thank you for sharing your video homestead 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 🎥👍👍👍

[@tomlawler3661]

Thanks for taking the time to put your cost numbers together (even while sick). Very interesting. I will be looking forward to seeing the numbers after you get the product back from the processor. Tom

[@Dave-xl7oc]

Just subscribed , enjoy your videos, in my youth was a pig farmer in Iowa, brings back memories just a few 1000 more pigs, chuckle.

[@kellyjoyce2399]

That information is good to know, thanks.🐷

[@pollyhindle8749]

Thanks for taking the time to do this very interesting, cheers..🐖 🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖

[@chrissheerman]

Nice job. Next weekend my first two pigs will be going to the butcher. Im using an enclosed landscape trailer a friend owns. First time I should have scheduled at least 6 weeks earlier mine are right around 350 .lbs Im hoping meat will be great. Think mine are Yorkshire. I've been told use a bucket on there heads to make them go where you want old farmer told me they will keep trying to get there head out and back up. Thanks for making a video I could learn from.

[@craigadair128]

I probably wouldn't sweat the dollars and cents too much when raising 2 pigs. Impossible too compete with large producers. You enjoyed it and received some high quality pork. Keep up the good work

[@shawnathompson8942]

Next time move your trailer to their pen a week or so before butcher date and put their feed inside, then they will be used to it and it won’t be so hard to load them. They looked great!

[@denisewilson8367]

I said the same thing in my comment. Works for any animals.

[@stevemartinez6757]

All very good information. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to seeing what the yield is.

[@johndour5207]

You've got the fencing and space to put in a planted pasture for your pigs. Disc, plant and fence a 1/2 acre. Peas, beans, beets, turnips and radish. Keep them in a pen until mid June then turn them loose to pasture. One more thing. Feed your pigs in the trailer for a few weeks before you want to move them

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good job and great eats to come ! Thanks for sharing with us

[@thewhittierhousewife3898]

What an accomplishment for your first time raising hogs! You'll be processing your own hogs before long, and you'll make it look so easy, I just know it!

[@patwanner1781]

Glad you’re feeling better. That was a fun video.👍🏻

[@lylesmith1949]

Not boared at all with the numbers! It's great info and I'm sure some of your followers will have some ideas for lowering the costs. I personally like the idea of selling the duck eggs if you can. Or even excess chicken eggs. A great video and very informative. Thanks!

[@noocemiller6005]

You did a good job with those pigs!Once you get the meat back I’d be interested in hearing how the taste/quality compares with store bought.

[@michaelgronski6122]

Pigs are a cool animal.

[@michaelsteimel8737]

My family runs a commercial hog farm and one recommendation for loading and a reason you probably had problems is pigs are afraid of light so moving your cars for light probably made it harder so don’t have your light source “shining out” from the trailer. When we load semi’s we have to shade the door from sunlight because they refuse to go out it if it’s too bright

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Another great video you two! Keep up the great work!

[@noregrets7469]

You did good from where I am so I don’t think I’ll need to say, keep it up🙃

[@millerurbanhomesteading8632]

hello..... i had about 130 pigs 14 yrs ago.... great job on raising them.... next time you want to load pigs.... dont feed them for a day.... they will come running to trailer when you shake feed bucket ... make sure there is no feed in troughs.... just access to water.... try that..... makes a difference in loading pigs.....

[@ginawhisnant9966]

For feeders, try using some of your scrap wood to make a heavy, wide platform and bolt used tires to the platform. Put the feed in the center of the tires. Also, check and see if you can find waste apples and feed them to the pigs. You will use less feed if you move electric fence around in rotation to give them access to fresh pasture. They will root, and fertilize and improve an area that is covered in brush or weeds. They will need less feed when they can forage, plus will build muscle and have less fat. To easily move them you have to start when they are young - break an oreo cookie in half and give it both. From time to time give them another, toss the cookie so they see it and have to run to get it. Pig who gets there first wins and gets the cookie, while second place gets none. This is how the people who do "pig races" at fairs train the pigs to run fast as they can toward the finish line. Back the trailer up like you did with this one, put a rubber mat down in the trailer to give them more secure footing and a section of 4x4 for a step on the ground in front of the trailer. Stand outside the trailer, not inside and break a cookie in half and give it to them (tossing it to them) then toss another into the trailer- they will run in and you can close the door. They might also work as well for the cheap, bagged cereal - I would suggest trying S'mores with marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers.

[@jameshack485]

Thanks for sharing your numbers. The pig feed is a bit high. Most homesteaders can get that closer to $225 per pig. Finding more dairy, vegetable and fruit scraps will get you there.

[@denisewilson8367]

Put their food only in the trailer. No other food anywhere, for a few days before needing to haul them. It would be a breeze they will go in willingly. Hope that helps for the future. Hope you feel better soon.

[@ronsmith1364]

Thanks for Sharing!

[@miltonhurd1016]

great info! I wondered about the costs on various homestead channels. Very well presented! Thanks for sharing

[@stephanieeverett383]

The folks we bought our AGH’s from had to take them to the vet before he could sell them to us across state lines. When he got there, the boar got away from them and decided to roam the parking lot. The vet saw the commotion and came out with a 5 gallon bucket. He put it over the hogs head and proceeded to walk him backwards into the clinic. We ended up trying this once ourselves when the sow decided to be a bit ornery and it worked like a charm. Maybe next time if they have you a hard time about going where you want you could try it. Just a suggestion. Lord knows we didn’t have a clue!

[@thewhittierhousewife3898]

Lol... sounds like something The Incredible Dr. Pol would do!😉

[@alanmcclorey8047]

thank you for that

[@RAYOFSONLITE]

Living Traditions built a trough they seem happy with.

[@dans4270]

Everyone in my area here in N.Y want 80 - 100 bucks per pig. I picked up 4 for 38 each, had to drive 30 minutes out of my way but well worth it. Also I plan on butchering them myself so my pigs should end up costing me 1.38 per lb. Unless I sell one or two lol Then they'll be free 🤔

[@dans4270]

Plus I get my feed for 7.50 a 50 lb. Bag.

[@matthewfisher9352]

270 is perfect buddy! You got your feeders through my dad this year👍

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

I have always done my own butchering and processing. It's a long couple of days doing all the cutting and wrapping. You need some space set up for it -- Basically a cold building and some tables. We always do it over Thanksgiving weekend when the weather is cold enough. We had big kettles set up outside and made scrapple (we're from PA) so very little waste. If you can't manage that, then I can understand using the processor for cutting it up and doing the grinding. But I don't understand why you are paying the processor to make your sausage and bacon for you, though. You spent all that time to raise your meat and then you are paying someone to add all those chemicals and nitrates to that good meat. We always had different herb blends for the sausage and saved some to mix with deer meat for smoked sausages. Made a rub out of salt, sugar and spices for the bacon & hams and smoked them as well.

[@dougthomas1582]

This was a very interesting video! Thanks!

[@lemoncrinckles]

That was very interesting. Even if the cost per pound is higher, the quality of your home-raised pork is vastly superior than what you get from the chain grocery. So, enjoy!! (:

[@russellpetrie119]

I think the pigs knew what was coming to them and savated the vlog bless them

[@cjamonwilliams]

4 slabs of bacon 🥓.. Worth it!

[@melvinwoodruff905]

Thanks

[@augustreil]

Always a great video ! Thank you !!

[@boathead22000]

I would do a measured daily feeding in the morning and a little in the evening. move them to a new area every few weeks with lots of brush or grass. sell those eggs and buy pig feed. fresh eggs will get you 5 bucks a doz.

[@1dilligaf]

Eggs $5 a dozen? I sell for $3 and the neighbours sell for $2.50.

[@bettyechols6405]

Quality is what counts. You know what they ate....

[@janfrench4691]

I wonder if you'd removed their feed troughs ...so they only had access to feed in the trailer.

[@CountryViewAcres]

Ni I didnt, but I probably should have. Lesson learned I guess.

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Great video of always wanted to know about raising hogs

[@bonniebrock5109]

Should make a portable pig pen and house. Use electric mesh fencing and a pull-able lighter weight 2-3 side roofed house just enough to protect them from the sun/weather mostly during the summer. Move the mesh fencing every week or so on that wonderful large amount of natural grass you have. Seen videos of doing this on YT of course from others.

[@pistolpeds]

I think an electric fence and move them around to eat vegetation and fertilise soil may be cost saving and productive. A shelter on wheels would also help the moving.

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

That was in no way boring, lots of good info

[@MountainCrestFarm]

@ $55 ea for the piglets you got a heck of a deal. I raise purebred Large Blacks and Large Black/Berkshire hybrids, and I get $100 each for feeder piglets and everything I produce (125-150 piglets a year) is sold before they are even born, with a 50% deposit already paid. Be happy with the price you paid...there IS a difference between cheap and inexpensive in everything, including buying feeder piglets.

[@trrowland7849]

Ayup Evan So your rain dance worked out for you 👍 Well done with your first crop of pigs... Maybe try AD LIB feeding... If your unfamiliar with this process it just allows your pigs to eat as much or as little as they like. I've found rather than them making a mess or eating the lot given, they just snack throughout the whole day consuming little amounts but regularly. They actually convert more feed to weight allot better and also quicker. Also with this system you can generate live weight gains of around 1kg per day. So you may be able to drop your time scale Evan 1kg per day for 90 days (12 weeks) and give or take a couple of weeks to get your desired weights your good to go. Time is money so if you could take a chunk of time off your production you would save on upwards of 4.5kg of feed per animal per day. Congratulations mate 🙂 hope any of my waffling helps 👍🤣

[@hxFubar]

Great job on your first time with pigs, good news is you learned a lot which will make it even easier next time. Get a pig cane and/or make some pig boards so you can move them around a bit easier. If you get the cane, work with them a bit each week and then when you get to harvest time it's a lot easier to get them to do what you want.

[@CountryViewAcres]

Never heard of a pig cane, I'll research it.

[@hxFubar]

@@CountryViewAcres I feel the thick wooden curved ones are better than the straight thin fiberglass ones. If you've ever been whipped with a thin stick vs a thick one you'll know the thin one leaves more bruising, hurts more, and can cut which you don't want if you plan to eat it or care about your animal. also the straight whips can only do one thing really, hit, with a curved wood can you use it the steer the animal and stop them. put the cane on the left and right side of the pig to turn them, tap them on the butt to move them, hook the back leg to stop them and you don't have to hit them hard I've found but with those light straight fiberglass ones the kids beat them with those more than likely because it doesn't have the heft of a wood one that a tap will move the animal. We used to let our pigs room and only used a cane to control them when needed, the boards/panels below we used for loading and when we wanted to work in small areas to pin them for curtain things. www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/us-whip-wooden-cane-36-in Pig board, I'd get one for each of you so you can work together to move animals. They will work good for other small animals too. stops them from running between your legs and they think it's a wall so usually they will not try to walk through it if you use them right and as a team. www.qcsupply.com/30-x-36-two-way-sorting-panel.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JXtBRC8ARIsAEBHg4mPbjjQI63sTkviax6NGXDa3XM_Er3biclOZsfrdMxGkhG376xYxkUaAs4SEALw_wcB Hope this helps, they would both be good tools for you.

[@gingerreid8569]

We bought two feeder piglets that were 10 weeks old, ( 75.00 each)...so your 55 looks good to me...I just wanted 1 pig for us, but everyone said...nope...you have to have at least 2 for good eating relationship...should have made an early appointment with butcher...they close down for anything other than Deer in November (unless we had an appt)...so we have a Dec. 2 butcher date...think we have sold 1 of the pigs...although person has not given me a guaranteed date to pick it up...the one we are keeping was 302 over a week ago...so much larger than we had hoped for...300 live weight was our goal...live and learn...make that appointment...first time learning...probably make more fatty meat...but I want the fat...will take and render that into lard...we fed ours pig grower plus scraps and left over milk...they did well...about 3 weeks ago, we put them on pig finisher and cracked corn...temps were getting colder so they could use the corn to make heat...ours are a mix of large black (sow) and blue butt (boar) for parents...loved the video on loading...we will be in that spot not too long from now...raising pigs has been easy...hubby built them a 35x50 ft pen with electric running along bottom...he used a cattle panel turned into a hoop and covered with heavy tarp for out of weather hut...made their auto waterier from a 55 gallon plastic drum and put in a pig spigot...built a feeder box with flip lid that holds 200 lbs of feed...worked great and saved us some time on having to restock...praying this guy doesn't leave us in a lurch on the extra pig...

[@helenhelps9619]

Look at the hams on that pig. 🐖

[@forgetn]

plus you knew exactly what you pigs ate...that's very valuable but intangible

[@trwsandford]

seems pretty tangible to me

[@christopherbarron3729]

just curious, Why would you not buy a breeding pair and butcher next year.. You could then keep 2 piglets for the farm and have the option to sell or butcher the rest ... It's like a investment, you cash in early and your limited to those 2 pigs but if you , "go long".. you have a steady influx of your comodity... I've had as many as 15 piglets in 1 litter ..

[@wendyc.5769]

I love nerdy pig math! That’s what they call it over at LIVING TRADITIONS HOMESTEAD 😂

[@CountryViewAcres]

One of my favorite KZbin channels.

[@gingerreid8569]

@@CountryViewAcres , Living Traditions was my first homestead channel...started me on meat rabbits

[@rudygtrz]

I get spent beer grain for my worm farm from a brewery very cheap or free. You can get hops from them also but don't know if they are good feed for pigs.

[@utot0210]

🤣🤣The best way to load the pig to your trailer is to leave the feed inside the front of the trailer and watch them go inside in a heartbeat no problem 🤣🤣

[@vanlifenomadfirekeeper]

Very informative. Good value breakdown. Looks like you do ok. If you butcher it yourself. Youd save a lot of money, but thats if your set up to accommodate a home butchering process. All in all pork is over $3.00 a lb, so you didnt do all that bad. Im curious if you pasture fed your pigs if youd save a bit more money. Just an idea . Good enough financial info .

[@stephaniewilson3955]

If you want tips on how to get pigs to load easily watch 'Edge of Nowhere Farm' to see how they do it. Basically they turn the trailer into a feeding station for a week and the pigs load no problem.

[@farmall1farmall132]

If you pile dirt up where they can walk in they will walk that better than a ramp. If you ever set up a permanent location set up a permanent corral it is well worth it. I am not being a butthead like some do but offering advice. Pigs look good. I load my pigs up to take to the processor which just happens to be me. It's really not hard to process a hog and doesn't really require expensive equipment.

[@davidj.mackinney6568]

At least you have a pretty nurse to take care of you. Soak your feed for 2 or 3 days, it will improve digestion and the powder gets soaked up instead of wasted. Check out Red Tool House for a guy that is knowledgeable about pigs and feed.

[@tardismole]

You will also be able to compare the cost of raising and butchering the pigs with the money you would have paid if you had bought the meat from a store. That will be the biggest eye-opener. Next time you have pigs, acclimatise them to the trailer ahead of time. That way, you'll be able to load them up on the day of travel, rather than having them shut inside and stressed all night. It'll lower the seratonin levels in the muscle and make the meat taste sweeter.

[@dans4270]

Hi, quick question..... will just an electric fence work to keep the pigs in?

[@ScottMcClintockDesign]

Neat, now I want to get a pig.

[@d6joe]

Sausage seasoning in some of the ground pork makes excellent “burgers “.

[@daviddobson8933]

Find an old hot water heater cut it in hafe long ways weld angle iron on each end for legs that keeps them front flipping it over. They work grate. The thay won't slop it all over.

[@suenorton873]

I feel bad for the pigs, but I so get it... feel better Evan. Hi Rebecca

[@jasonzee4561]

Get over it girl

[@arkansashomestead6015]

Just wondering, how much did it cost to butcher and package the meat ? I would like to know if its worth doing myself to save the money or if its low enough for me to just send them to the butcher to be done just to not deal with it.?

[@CountryViewAcres]

I will post a video about it in a few weeks when we have all the packages of pork back.

[@darylcampbell3244]

Once you taste the meat you raised it will all be worth the cost.

[@1Prolifik]

hey those pigs look exactly like mine ......quick question what type of pigs do u have

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Do you think if you raised three pigs and sold one (butchered) that it would pay the costs of the whole venture and give you free, or really reduced cost for your pork for your family? I'm considering pigs next year and also trying to figure out the best way to go about it. I know state regs can be different, I'll have to look mine up for Oregon.

[@CountryViewAcres]

You might make a little money on the third pig. But I wouldn't think it would be enough to break even.

[@fancybrooks3156]

You sound better at the end there. Take care of yourself. Would you consider doing one pig at a time, or must you raise at least 2 at a time?

[@salmonhunter7414]

#Two pig are better the eat more and they like the company.

[@fancybrooks3156]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 I was thinking that, but wasn't for sure.

[@polie67]

i ddint see the cost to butcher and process unless I am missing something.

[@briankleinkopf8557]

porkys r cool! yur learnin fast do wat Shawna says ? Move trailer, 2 weeks b4 da Butchershop leave in trailer, loaded & ready!!! ^5v JD ( Jimmy Dean)

[@dpgoodall]

Will be curious to find out what the processing cost you.

[@CountryViewAcres]

Me too. The place we took them was a little higher in price. But they are a USDA certified butcher.

[@gingerreid8569]

@@CountryViewAcres , yeah if I had made an appt with a different butcher...could have saved a bunch...but they couldn't touch us until end of January...lessons

[@EC4400]

They had a good life and one not so good day. They really put on the pounds. Nice job. I wonder how much weight those duck eggs contributed.

[@Loveisthegreater]

EC4400 ~Hey, thats a really interesting way to put it. I was sitting here wondering if I could do that after having them so long. That helped. Thanks. 👍🏼

[@lindachipps2773]

Wish you were feeling better

[@cathyblasco4497]

Will you be using the same area for your next pen?

[@CountryViewAcres]

No, we will use a different area next time. We have a spot eyed near the livestock barn in some cedar trees.

[@marcerivest6204]

Nice job with the pigs raised my own for 13 years, the only reason l quit was the loading up the pigs in the trailer. The only way that you can save more money is by making your own feed.l learned from my dad how they used to feed them in the old days. You feed them 2x a day slop . You watch to see that they get their fill and no extra. Our recepy was 2 bushels of corn, 5 bushels of oats and 1 bag of feed supplements 88 or 90 lbs.l would run this true the hammer mill then into the mixing drum which could store 2 batch so approximately 20 bushels of produc .this equipment is old school and can be obtained at an auction sale. All can say is we loved the results, the pig get long and with a nice layer of fat. You've never seen a pig eat till you feed them slop,it's fun and crazy to watch. Good luck in the future, we would raise 5 at a time and the 3 l sold pretty much paid for our 2 .

[@TheRhpatton]

gramps had a electric shocker poke them in the rear and they would go where you wanted them to

[@daviddobson8933]

Feed them in it for a day or to and they will go in it.

[@ciaog421]

Most farmers are mixing that pigfeed with water, so nothng gets spoiled.

[@carter6482]

👍👍👍🐷🐷

[@pienuniek]

I looked at your butcher list. I wondered if you asked if you can get your fat minced. Making it easier to render lard. I do believe you need to ask about the fat separately.

[@CountryViewAcres]

I did ask for the fat. But I didnt ask for minced. I will grind it up in deer sausage.

[@caroljohnson5879]

Drink Elderberry tea to ward off colds.

[@ridlboxlevitt7473]

I am just starting out and was wondering how much I could estimate it would cost to butcher a pig

[@CountryViewAcres]

I made a video covering that, it will be posting in a few hours. 11am central time.

[@JJJJ-ou8be]

soak the corn in water it will go twice as far

[@UISstar86]

What was your butchering costs?

[@CountryViewAcres]

I have got the meat back yet, so I dont know. But I will post a video when I have all the meat and go over the cost.

[@roscoejones4515]

One person holds a bucket on the pig's head. The other person pushes the pig into the trailer. There will be squealing. Lots and lots of squealing.

[@johnnykimberlin4495]

where did you get the siding for your house.

[@CountryViewAcres]

The log sidding was apart if the log home package from countrymark log homes. It is hand hewn by the amish.

[@oldthudman]

Pig not be pets...….Pigs be Bacon, Ham, Pork Chops, Pork Ribs...…Food!!…. .loll...……Pigs are a very old food source. My ancestors to America were farmers too. Cows were a rare food item used mostly to obtain milk, butter, etc.....So pigs, chickens were the main source of meat.

[@bunny_smith]

Just curious. Why don’t you use the correct term, either slaughterhouse or abattoir, rather than the euphemistic “processor?”

[@tb1401]

Don’t feed them day before hulling them off works for me for years

[@bettyechols6405]

Cost less than at the store...per pound

[@millerurbanhomesteading8632]

. what does P. E. T. A mean?..... people eating tasty animals....

[@russellpetrie119]

have you tried collecting waste food from a restaurants cafes

[@kquack5631]

I ain't going in there...smells like death!

[@davesmith930]

Don't feed the pigs A-day before

[@blanche-mariecouture7902]

You gave your pig GMO corn full of Glyphosate...not a good thing!

[@pollyhindle8749]

One thing pigs aren’t Is dumb...

[@shawndonohoe2789]

love your stuff but ceiling fans on a outdoor deck? Sorry it sends the wrong message for me.

[@geo52041]

Evan Just make your own feed . You are smart and can figure it out

[@CountryViewAcres]

We are this year.

[@jimmyjohnstone7258]

You were dumb to try to get the pigs in with only a day of trailer familiarity. As others have said, do the trailer move to the pen a week ahead of processing date.

[@marcamp5450]

Please don’t say he’s dumb! He’s learning and they’re doing a great job at it. 👍