Livestock
 

Has anyone kept pigs? What did you do for slaughtering and butchering?

Re: Livestock
 

L'élevage du cochon par un particulier - Elever un cochon!
is one result of a Google search, an interesting Blog which would make me think twice about keeping a pig!;)
Another result said that keeping one pig is relatively simple from the Administration standpoint, but more than one makes life complicated.

Re: Livestock
 

We will only want to keep one at a time. Fatten it up, slaughter, butcher and freeze. When the freezer is running close to empty, repeat the process.

Re: Livestock
 

Some animals you are allowed to slaughter yourself as long as the meat is only for your own consumption, not sure whether this extends to pigs.
Otherwise I guess you need to make friends with your local abattoir. They'll slaughter and do as much of the butchering/packaging/storing as you require.
Wouldn't an only pig get lonely?

Re: Livestock
 

I was invited by neighbours to join their annual "killing of the pig".
Much as I agree with knowing where and how your meat is raised, this was a step too far. Socially though apparently it was a success.
I am also struck by how often one of our dogs returns from the fields with large bones. Fresh ones.
So in this part of France, home slaughter is the norm. But there is also a local slaughter house.
Monty, do remember that your neighbours are likely to be quite helpful. Even if you do only have basic French. Greeting people daily with a cheerful Bonjour and a smile works wonders. Not doing so is a mistake.

Re: Livestock
 

Sorry to inflict another link in French on you, but
Troubles de voisinage : nuisances olfactives (odeurs) - Service-public.fr
indicates that undesirable smells (and noise) can lead to problems with the neighbours, and you should consider this when deciding where to settle, if you intend to raise livestock later.

Re: Livestock
 

God, it's not easy is it?

Re: Livestock
 

Monty, no it is not easy. But equally it is not as daunting as it first looks. Just do not expect things to work the same way as they do in the UK. Once you get used to the way things work, it is much less frustrating. (Although you will always have the same moments of total bemusement as to why ALL the bakers in town take their annual leave at the same time).

Generally you will find the fonctionnaires more helpful than their English counterparts. But it does help enormously the more you try to talk to them in French.