Learning how to butcher a pig has been one of the most satisfying and fulfilling things we’ve done on our homestead. There are many reasons one should learn to butcher a pig not the least of which is knowing that the animals will become the meat that feeds our family for the next year lived their lives in such a way that respects how they were created, died without stress, and that every scrap of flesh possible is being utilized is part of our stewardship of the earth. We enjoy the break from the mundane busyness of life and the time spent working together as a family.
Over the years, we were able to gather some resources together that helped us to get through the process of butchering a pig with a fair measure of success. I’m sharing those with you here and I hope they will be helpful to you as you seek to learn this new and valuable skill. However, I would like to encourage you to consider coming to our annual Homestead Hog Butchering Workshop where you will learn, hands-on techniques for slaughtering and butchering a pig as well as many ways to cure the meat and use up the odd bits that might otherwise be considered waste.
The following videos we produced will help you get the job done, but we have since learned there is definitely a better way!
