Bringing Home the Bacon

Hambone and Spot went off to the butcher last week.  The latter sentence does not effectively communicate the physical and emotional drain involved in taking two pigs that were raised from piglets to be slaughtered. 

The Physical

Realizing one day soon a livestock trailer would be needed, Craig’s List was scoured daily in the hope of finding something that would fit the need (i.e. cheap).  Unfortunately, a couple of promising prospects fell through at the last minute so there was little alternative than to build a cover for the utility trailer.   The intended design  was something that could be removed when not needed (363 days a year).  The pictures show the simple but practical shell that included an internal gate to stop the occupants from moving around during transport.  The wood and accessories cost around $160 and a large chunk of a Saturday for two people – still a far cry from $1,000 for a junk livestock trailer.

Having made some final modifications on the fateful morning (including a tie-down strap!), the next task was to load the pigs.  This is where the fun started.  These pigs could be led anywhere with their food bucket and the word “suweeeeee!”  Well, except into the back of the trailer.  Plan B was a lot of pushing and pulling but there was no moving the 200 lb animals where they did not want to go.  While taking a rest the word “hogtied” came to mind - Plan C.  Lassoing the legs of a can-can dancer would have been easier but eventually one leg of Hambone was caught followed by a tug-of-war.  Eventually she was dragged backwards kicking and screaming onto the trailer.  Spot was a little stronger but with some help she went on the trailer the same way.  

The Emotional

The 70 mile drive to the butcher was more difficult than expected.  Part of the challenge was driving with one eye on the road and the other on the mirror watching the trailer.  Eventually we arrived at the butcher in Clanton, AL.  After backing the trailer into the loading bay neither pig wanted to get up.  Spot walked onto the dock but I could not get Hambone to follow.  One of the workers used a cattle prod which got her moving (and me too).  That was the last time I saw the two pigs that were cute little piglets just a few short months ago.  I had nursed Spot back from death’s door so I felt a special attachment to this pig (as much as is appropriate outside of the Appalachians).  At least one if not both of these gilts were going to be bred at one time but they began to develop leg/foot problems.  While they could have been finished for another month or so we decided to take them now before their problems worsened with additional weight.  Their collective weight was 340 lbs, a little lighter than thought.

I was feeling pretty low after watching Spot and Hambone walk down death row until the lady at the butcher asked me how I wanted the meat.  That brought me out of it and we spent the next 15 minutes discussing options for approximately 260 lbs of pork.  Hambone and Spot will be ready in 2 weeks.