Preparing for Uncertainty and Self Reliance

[C-Mag]

Butchering 3 Hogs this weekend.

[SuburbanFarmer]

Butchering 3 Hogs this weekend.

Woh. I’m not at that level yet, but ordered an 8-jug water storage rack for the basement.

I can only hope to get there soon…

[Haumana]

Butchering 3 Hogs this weekend.

That's awesome! I have been so busy with work that I haven't been able to bug my friend to shoot me another pig. He did mention that there were some monster males hanging around his property and being pretty brash. Not skittish, at all.

[C-Mag]

Butchering 3 Hogs this weekend.

Woh. I’m not at that level yet, but ordered an 8-jug water storage rack for the basement.

I can only hope to get there soon…

Take your time.
I have the advantage of growing up with this as a traditional family operation that we did every Fall.

We are doing 3 hogs average live weight is supposed to be 250 lbs each, should produce 140 lbs of packaged meat per animal.

[C-Mag]

Butchering 3 Hogs this weekend.

That's awesome! I have been so busy with work that I haven't been able to bug my friend to shoot me another pig. He did mention that there were some monster males hanging around his property and being pretty brash. Not skittish, at all.

You've been doin well, I've been impressed

[Haumana]

HA! I got a call today from a friend with 7 hens, apparently they aren't laying any longer and the eggs that they do lay they peck open, "Hey, I think I want to kill my chickens. Do you want to come help for a portion of the meat?" LOL! Umm, ok. So I guess that I signed up to kill 7 chickens next week. I get 4 of them for the freezer. I've never killed a chicken before, much less cleaned one for eating but my friend is down so I am down. Any tips? I'll report back about the experience.

[SuburbanFarmer]

HA! I got a call today from a friend with 7 hens, apparently they aren't laying any longer and the eggs that they do lay they peck open, "Hey, I think I want to kill my chickens. Do you want to come help for a portion of the meat?" LOL! Umm, ok. So I guess that I signed up to kill 7 chickens next week. I get 4 of them for the freezer. I've never killed a chicken before, much less cleaned one for eating but my friend is down so I am down. Any tips? I'll report back about the experience.

Best resource I’ve found for homesteading. Their podcast is fantastic too.

[The Conservative]

If a chicken isn't laying, is it molting?

[Haumana]

If a chicken isn't laying, is it molting?

Naa, I think these bitches are just old. I'd guess 3-5 year old hens but I am not entirely certain. They are probably only going to be good for stew type meat. As a contrast, a typical chicken sold at most markets are around 1 year old. We aren't inexperienced with raising chickens.

[Haumana]

Best resource I’ve found for homesteading. Their podcast is fantastic too.

Thanks for the reminder. I used to listen to them. Chicken Thistle Coopcast was also another good source. I think I posted about their here back in the day too.