Hi Folks,

Whats the best age to slaughter for both pork and bacon, im thinking 7 and 8 months or is this too small.

Thanks

Karl

It is going to depend on what weight you want to achieve. They are slow growing, so keeping them until they are older is not going to be a problem with the quality of the meat.

The problem with a smaller pig is that the bacon will not produce very big slices or quantity. I would be inclined to keep them growing to at least a year - fourteen months.

Tracey has a young male lined up for slaughter - perhaps she can comment.

Keep us posted. I don't think any of us has grown a pure Mangalitza to slaugher weight yet, so if you are the first to try it then please tell us how it tastes. There are some recipies on here to try, to perhaps you could give some a go?

Kate

At least 9-12 months old for bacon and fresh meat. 18-24 months is best for the bacon and other cured products.

The type of feed is crucial if you want to make the best bacon.

The Wooly Pigs website has some information.

Hi we slaughtered ours at 7 months and will be slaughtering at 6 month next time.

The meat is fab, but it is a fine line between meat and fat.

We got a dead weight of 98lb, which is simillar to what we expect from our berkshires. We have rendered all the excess fat into lard for cooking and baking. We made pastry with it yesterday and it was lovely!

Pure mangalitza meat is very nice

Thanks for the advice, i'll see how big they are at 6 - 7 months and go from there.

Do you think that 2 years old and a proven male would now be too old.

I have slaughtered older males from other breeds and never had experience of boar taint, just a bit worried as this will be my first pure Mangalitza.

Cheers
Carole

Hi Carole

boar taint is a strange thing, Not many people can taste it or smell it.

Unfortunatly i can, john and the kids cant.

If the meat has a strong odour, make it in to garlic sausage Garlic hides a multitude of sins.

There is always mince as well - curry, chilli , curry spice sausages are lovely. I know Barry wouldn't eat it, but hey, save some for me when I come to visit!!

Kate x