Whole pigs or cows where to buy

ginger_tony

Hi there I dont know if im on the right thread here but I watched a programme about large families last year and the husband bought a whole pig and got it butchered and the meat seemed to go along way, well l also have a large family and was wondering if anyone knew where you could purchase a whole cow or pig what the cost would be and where would you have it butchered. l live in Glasgow. I would be interested just to see if it will save any money.

mi_jardin

one of my local butchers sometimes has a sign up offering a whole or half a lamb, its probably the best place to start.

gibson123

Not sure where to buy, I used to buy a whole lamb years ago at the abbottoir and butcher it myself (I trained as a chef). Butchery although a skill, can be done at home especially if presentation is not that important, there are plenty of videos on line that can help you. You will need a sharp boning knife, a saw and a lot of brute strength, try to borrow a mincer and remember that all fat can be rendered down to make dripping and that nothing needs to be discarded.

http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=65

lostinrates

I buy whole or half lambs and pigs from a farmer and a butcher/farmshop respectively. I buy PART of a cow at each farmer butchering. A whole cow, even butchered is a LOT of meat to find freezer space for, even if you have a large family. I have a freezer we jokingly call the family panic room and i would struggle to fit a cow in, normal stuff still has to be frozen too.

Buying direct from farmer means the timeing might not always be as you want, its when they have both animals ready and customers sufficient to make taking a number of animals to butcher.

THIRZAH

I've bought half a lamb in the past but we are not keen on the neck or the breast so in the end I stopped buying them.

My grandparents used to keep pigs and would share a pig with my parents. I'd sometimes come home from school to find half a pig stretched out on the kichen table. We always got the head and trotters as my grandmother didn't like them.

thriftwizard

Make sure you have plenty of room in your freezer or freezers first! I had half a pig off a smallholding friend recently & I'd forgotten just how much meat that is - and I'm feeding 7 adults & have two freezers, three if you count the one I'm currently keeping sacks of oats, rice & flour in, which does still work if I ever need it to. Start by asking at your local butcher's shop (NOT a supermarket butcher) then work your way out to farm shops. Also find out whether there are any food-buying groups nearby that you can join; they may already have suppliers lined up.

When I lived up that way, there was always someone who knew someone else who knew a man who could find you half a wild-caught salmon, or perhaps some venison, strictly cash only. I expect the same kind of network is still in operation; someone amongst your neighbours will know someone who knows a farmer whose pigs are off next week - ask around!

zippychick

as this has dropped down the OS board, ive moved it to the shopping board for you

Zip

Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

marymilkmaid

I sell whole, half or quarter pigs. Also sell whole or half lambs. Mine are free range rare breed pigs & I charge £5 per kilo. It comes butchers & packed ready for the freezer. It's cut to your requirements.

I can send through the post by next day delivery but it cost around £30 inc the box.

It's worth trying your local farms, just drop in & see if they sell to the public, a lot do.

You can always try https://www.theaccidentalsmallholder.net or https://www.rivercottage.net. They both have market place forums & you can ask your question on there.