Loaded Freezers and Full Bellies
Well, the day came this past saturday when it was time to take one of our beautiful hogs, the one we named ‘Ham’ matter of fact, and convert him to preservable freezer stock. It was an interesting day to say the least, as this is the first hog I have personally butchered, so it was a learning experience as well. I started out getting familliar with how to make the primal cuts from a couple different website videos and tutorials. That was actually the easy part. For the final cuts I ended up getting a DVD, which I highly reccomend for anyone needing to butcher a pig in the future. There is a 5 minute teaser video for the DVD located here: http://www.askthemeatman.com/pork.htm
The DVD walks you thru all the cuts as if you were regular folk not knowing a damn thing about what you were doing, and I really was just that. I did get thru the butchering process intact, and the cuts looked fine too. We ended up with close to 180 pounds of meat in the freezer thanks in large part to having an idea of what I was doing before doing it. Thanks to TheMeatMan for that.
The pig named 'Ham'
'Ham' ready to process
More videos that will help you thru the process
Hog Butchering #1
Hog Butchering #2
Hog Butchering #3
That’ll be some good bacon!
Heyas Jason,
That it will be, as well as lots of other good eatin
You & Yours getting along okay over there?
William, I am really impressed! I have never personally butchered anything yet, but have been wanting to learn. You’ve encouraged me.
Ya’ll have a great day, and may the Lord bless you.
Lee Ann, was definately a learning experience, and I feel it is a basic thing when you are trying to become as self sufficient as possible. If food is ever in short supply for whatever reason, this family will be fine.
when i was a kid, butching time was a big thing, all the family would get together, and butcher 6 hogs it was almost winter time,
my grandmaw would take the hogs head, and make head cheese,
they loved that stuff,
hope all is well!
yep, just hanging in there. thought about getting some free pot belly pigs the other day but I don’t guess we are quite ready for a pig breeding facility just yet…
Good to hear. My daughter Anastasia wants a pot belly pig as a pet. Too small to raise for much meat. Cristian and Madison just got back home after spending the summer with their father, and of course Cristian being all boy wanted to learn to butcher a pig, so we spent today doing the second one we planned on freezing this year. He enjoyed it. But the thrill wore off soon enough for him, haha.
We are having fresh as fresh can be Ribs tonight for dinner tho