Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Today, we’re prepping to take our three Hereford-Berkshire cross pigs to the processor. We’ve had them since May, and now it’s September, so it’s time for the next step. We love our butcher, but since they stop processing pigs in October to focus on deer, we had to jump on an opening for this Friday. Without our tractor (which is in the shop), we’re facing some challenges loading the pigs. Normally, we’d use the tractor to lift their shelter onto our small utility trailer, but today we have to improvise and make do with what we have. We’ve also decided not to overwinter these pigs because they’re huge eaters, and keeping them fed through the colder months isn’t feasible. Plus, with the risk of pneumonia during extreme weather changes, we don’t want to take any chances. These pigs have been great but definitely more aggressive than past ones, and I’ve never been this nervous working around them! After some creative problem-solving, we managed to get them loaded using corn cob syrup as bait. It wasn’t easy, but we got the job done and are ready to head to the processor. This is all part of life on the homestead — raising and caring for animals, then moving to the next phase. Thanks for following along!
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥒 Epic Gardening: glnk.io/73j50/8vn (Promo Code Shop1870 to get 5% off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Pig Breed and Raising Timeline
01:22 Butcher Scheduling and Challenges
02:23 Prepping the Trailer Without a Tractor
04:00 New Tractor Attachment
05:29 Setting Up the Trailer for Pig Loading
06:38 Reasons for Processing Pigs Now
08:47 Concerns About Pig Behavior
10:22 Trailer Setup for Pig Loading
11:58 Rachel's Final Thoughts on the Pigs
13:12 Using Corn Cobs as Bait
14:39 Successfully Loading the Pigs
15:30 Conclusion and Next Steps
Today, we’re prepping to take our three Hereford-Berkshire cross pigs to the processor. We’ve had them since May, and now it’s September, so it’s time for the next step. We love our butcher, but since they stop processing pigs in October to focus on deer, we had to jump on an opening for this Friday. Without our tractor (which is in the shop), we’re facing some challenges loading the pigs. Normally, we’d use the tractor to lift their shelter onto our small utility trailer, but today we have to improvise and make do with what we have. We’ve also decided not to overwinter these pigs because they’re huge eaters, and keeping them fed through the colder months isn’t feasible. Plus, with the risk of pneumonia during extreme weather changes, we don’t want to take any chances. These pigs have been great but definitely more aggressive than past ones, and I’ve never been this nervous working around them! After some creative problem-solving, we managed to get them loaded using corn cob syrup as bait. It wasn’t easy, but we got the job done and are ready to head to the processor. This is all part of life on the homestead — raising and caring for animals, then moving to the next phase. Thanks for following along!
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥒 Epic Gardening: glnk.io/73j50/8vn (Promo Code Shop1870 to get 5% off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Pig Breed and Raising Timeline
01:22 Butcher Scheduling and Challenges
02:23 Prepping the Trailer Without a Tractor
04:00 New Tractor Attachment
05:29 Setting Up the Trailer for Pig Loading
06:38 Reasons for Processing Pigs Now
08:47 Concerns About Pig Behavior
10:22 Trailer Setup for Pig Loading
11:58 Rachel's Final Thoughts on the Pigs
13:12 Using Corn Cobs as Bait
14:39 Successfully Loading the Pigs
15:30 Conclusion and Next Steps
