Recent content by WildHarmonyFarm

Thanks, that makes me feel better- interesting you mention hormones. Can it be associated with heat cycles?

I have 2 Nigerian does, 1 year old. One (Bucky) has had 2 bouts of scours over the last several months while the other (Snowflake) has been fine. The first time Bucky was wormed and by the next day had blackberry poo, and by the 2nd day back to pellets. The last time (2 weeks ago), she has...

Also, I'm wondering how necessary the nitrites are, as the bacon will go in the freezer after smoking, and when used will be fried crisp. I think the nitrites are to discourage botulism, which would be killed anyway at temps over 180.

Thanks for that info- I was going to try Hickory, since I already have some from another smoke. If anyone else has info on not using the nitrites, your input would be appreciated! Or any other newbie tips :)

Also, SKR8PN smoked at 200 for about 3 hours, but a lot of the other stuff I read said don't go any higher than 140, as the fat will start to render. Would you mind sharing your experience with the smoking as well? Thank you so much!

Awesome! Yes, I was thinking even tho I'm smoking it still needs to cure for a week. I'm also trying not to use nitrites in the cure- would you mind sharing your recipe? I'm not sure the "rub" I found was an actual "curing" recipe.

Hi! I have (2)- 6 pound slabs of fresh bacon in my frig and want to try smoking them. I found *some* info on this forum, and suggestions to check out posts by SKR8PN on sufficientself.com, which I did. I found his "majic Dust" recipe for the rub, and smoking times/temps. But there isn't any...

Dottie's piglets are growing up so fast! Here they are at 2 weeks old: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plKpCcJny-4&feature=youtu.be

I'm in Central Florida near Plant City. My brother is helping me get the hogs started on my property- they were they most suited animal for the place- lots of woods and such. We've only had the 3 females since June of last year, and this was a first time litter for 2 of the 3 (one didn't take...

Link to a short video of our 2 day old litter with 10 piglets :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK63fwo-QaM Hope you enjoy it, now I have to figure out how to post pictures :)

Here is the web address for a short video of Dottie (the good mother!) and her 10 piglets at 2 days old. I'll try to figure out how to post the pics. They're now almost 1 week old and changed so much already! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK63fwo-QaM

Thanks Heirloom! I just saw this post- it must be the one you referred to in the post about the "not enough milk"- now it makes sense! I agree with everything you say here, and that's what we had already decided about this mother & piglets. If I can figure out how to post pics or short...

The mother has 13 teats, and there are 8 piglets. Not swollen, and she gives the piglets plenty of nursing time. First time litters for both moms. This pig is 2 years old, the other mom is just 1 year old. I'm not sure which other post you're referring to- this was my first post concerning...

Just had 2 new litters. One litter (born last Friday night, 4/5/13) is doing great, 10 piglets, mother nursing well, they all look healthy, active, and robust (even the 2 smaller ones). The other litter (born very early Sunday morning, 4/7/13) doesn't seem to be doing as well. 8 piglets- they...

Thanks! We had one litter of 10 on Friday night, then a litter of 8 early Sunday morning. So far, so good, but one is definately a better mother than the other. Much more careful around the babies. Keep your fingers crossed!