Quote:
I'm curious if you raised them yourself or if you purchased them just for butchering. If you raised them, what do you think was the problem that caused the disappointing taste? Or do you think it was the breed?
I ask because after goats and rabbits, pigs are on our list for possible future home grown meat.
ETA:
OOPS! Forgot catfish. We are building a catfish tractor this weekend and picking up a hundred fingerlings from the fish truck when it rolls into town at the Lawton co-op come next Tuesday.
Yes feeding them out the right way is critical, also the way you bring the meat along during growth shouldn't be overlooked. I try not to slop them so often as the fat tends to be mushy, keep them on rations then slowly incorperate more corn and nut's into thier diet, if you feed straight corn in the last 2-3 wks it just adds too much fat and that gets trimmed so it's a waste. I have found that the bleeding out is also very important, if too much blood stays trapped in the muscle the taste can be off, curing the Hams and bacons if you don't do them your self have to go to a pro, if they are not cured at all they will taste, well not real good at all. Last year I told the processor how I wanted it bled out and the meat was much better, instead of a 22 cal kill shot then hung I said I wanted it hung then have the throat slit. He didn't like to do that because it was more work and he didn't get the extra $25.00 kill fee.
AL