Well, today we culled our first roos. We had to kill 5 of them. It was tough, but we did it and I feel a sense of accomplishment for that. I now have 5 bags of meat in my fridge.
I definitely would recommend having someone experienced with you for the first time. We tried to do the first one and didn't realize how much pressure you really need to make sure you get a good cut on the jugular and so that was a little traumatic, especially because it was on the one rooster we had raised from a little yellow baby chick. It doesn't feel very good when you don't get it right and you have to keep cutting and try to get it so you can put the poor thing out of its misery. Once we realized how to get it right, with help from an experienced person there with us, the other 4 went more smoothly - not necessarily easier to do, but death was quick instead of traumatic. I did cry a couple times and my husband had to walk away a couple times before the next kill as it was starting to get to him. I have to give him the credit. I only helped kill one and after that all I did was the plucking and help dress. The positive thing about it is they had a wonderfully, spoiled life and now they are feeding us. It was the right thing to do as we had more roosters than hens. Now, although I still feel the sadness of the day, I feel a sense of relief that we are done and they are gone.
For those of you that cull regularly, does it get easier or is it always difficult? I'm not really looking forward to doing it again but it's all still fresh in my mind right now... it does give you a whole new appreciation for your food.
I love that it's snowing so beautifully now and making everything pretty - a nice end to the difficult day.
