heritage ranch
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pig slaughter question
i am looking for a quick and humane way to kill a hog without contaminating the brains with lead. i usually just shoot them in the head, but i am big on the nutritional benefits of organ meats and am tired of wasting the brains. any one have suggestions or better yet experience with a quick and humane way to kill a pig and leave the brains/head edible?
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11/4/2009, 4:45 am
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TexasMadness
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Re: pig slaughter question
If I remember correctly, John Seymour (writes homesteading books) kills pigs with a swift sharp knife through the jugular. I could be wrong - being a vegetarian, I don't usually linger over the animal slaughter sections of homesteading books! I have the book at the farm - I'll take a look when I get there.
Hmmm...I wish Ranting Hobbit was around. I seem to recall him talking about how he killed pigs. I think it was a knife to the throat as well. I have no idea how quick it is, but I thought I remember him saying that the pig just lies there, so there's no panic/pain response. Maybe I can dig up a thread...
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11/4/2009, 4:13 pm
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PerpetuallyCurious
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Re: pig slaughter question
I believe they offer lead free bullets, don't they? They cost a bit more but you wouldn't be using them that often.
As TM said, the only other way I've read is the knife to the juglar.
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11/4/2009, 4:59 pm
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heritage ranch
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Re: pig slaughter question
i hadnt thought of the lead free bullets, might need to get a fee.
i have seen the throat slit, and never once was it stress free and not exactly quick in my book. i cant justify wrestling a pig onto its back way to much stress and fear for the animal
for me
thanks for the input folks i am going to try and find some of those lead free bullets or make my own
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11/4/2009, 5:46 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: pig slaughter question
This is probably more expensive than lead free bullets (which are typically tungsten - not easy to make your own!) but you could stun with a bolt gun before slitting the throat. I can remember seeing homemade bold guns at pioneer village living history displays. I think I even remember reading online about how to make your own for slaughtering.
I wonder if Joel Salatin talks about slaughtering in his books? No - that's right, I think he only does the chickens on his farm and has to send the pigs and cattle to a slaughter house to meet requirements. I have all of his books too, so I will peak at those.
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11/4/2009, 6:04 pm
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Firlefanz
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Re: pig slaughter question
Ranting shoots his pigs, I remember that rather clearly, because he had to teach his kids how to do it.
Pigs in Germany (if people are allowed to do home slaughter, which depends on the distance to the next slaughterhouse) are often killed with a bolt gun, yes. It works on the same principle as the gun shot, except the bolt retracts back into the gun.
Sorry, not much help here.
Last edited by Firlefanz, 11/4/2009, 6:58 pm
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11/4/2009, 6:57 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: pig slaughter question
Ah, I must be remember Ranting talking about skinning - that's how he cut his finger really bad!
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11/4/2009, 8:02 pm
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PerpetuallyCurious
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Re: pig slaughter question
I have no actual experience, just reading and learning with you all 
What happened to Ranting? Just moved on to other pastures? Must of been before my time.
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11/5/2009, 7:46 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: pig slaughter question
Ranting used to pop in and out but things haven't gone for him too well in the recent past with health issues. I'm sure he's busy with family and homestead now!
He's a great person to talk to about the serious side of homesteading though - my family is squarely in the "hobby farm" arena compared to him! I ought to send him a PM and see if I can dig him up!
Still haven't gotten the Seymour book - going to the farm tonight!
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11/6/2009, 4:32 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: pig slaughter question
Ah, John Seymour (whom I trust in all matters homesteady) says most emphatically that a knife to the throat is not humane. He suggests a .22 or a captive bolt pistol. Looks like that's the consensus across the board then!
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11/7/2009, 2:20 am
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