NH Homesteader's journal

[sumi]

Glad to hear the deed got done and the processing sounds well underway! It sounds like the girls are not missing him, poor things.

We sometimes took our pigs to a local butcher to process, when he could fit us in (he did butchering and processing as a sideline). He made the most amazing sausages!

 

[NH Homesteader]

One of the girls would play with him sometimes and I think she was upset momentarily but appears to be over it. She's even being nicer to her sister, who used to get picked on by both of them. I wish I was rich, I would keep our little gilt as a pet. She is so little and so sweet. I don't want to breed pigs and I don't really want to butcher her. Ahhh being a farmer isn't always fun!

Our friend who we got them from is trying to convince my husband to breed our bigger gilt to his new boar. She's a gorgeous, long pig. I'm trying to convince him that's not necessary, lol!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Got the first batch of sausage stuffed in casings and frozen (except about 5 lbs we packaged without casings). One side is cut up and frozen (chops, bacon and ribs). So tomorrow DH will cut the front shoulders and grind for Italian sausage and leave mixed overnight, and cut and package the other side.

Would have gotten more done but we worked on fencing and had a goat escapee issue.

DH is starting his first big spring project tomorrow for this rich guy he sometimes works for. So he'll be a little more scarce. Glad we've gotten a fair amount done!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Ok. Here he is! Born 4/13. My future herd sire!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

OMG - he is a cutie! Love the expression on his face, lol. Black goats are stunning - I love them!

 

[NH Homesteader]

I'm excited, he is going to be DNA tested lol. Apparently he and one sister look exactly like one buck (who she thought didn't breed the doe), and the other sister has blue eyes like the other buck. So she's having him tested for me so he'll be able to be registered!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

That's so cool! You're not getting him as a bottle baby are you?

 

[NH Homesteader]

Heck no. I don't like bottle baby does, I really don't want a bottle baby with testosterone! Lol! I actually was thinking if he ended up having to be pulled, I may not have taken him. He'll be with his mom until sometime in June. I think she does 8 weeks, not sure when they're intact.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I don't blame you a bit! Four of 'em is quadruple the trouble - ugh.

 

[NH Homesteader]

I bet!! I would get a bottle baby doeling, if it was the right girl. But I think dam raised kids are a little more "normal", and know how to be goats. I want my goats to be happy to see me, but I also want them to be content when I'm not around. Bottle babies are so needy. I bet you know that very well right now! Lol!