California - Northern

[ronott1]

My DH grew up on a small farm and they killed a chicken almost every Sat to have for Sun dinner. He and his brothers thought it was funny to watch them run around the yard without a head. Their poor mother had to do the real work of plucking without scalding or using an automatic plucker. That doesn't sound appealing to me! I read that allowing them to run around like that can bruise the meat. Is that true?

No, it doesn't hurt the meat.

I grew up the same way, but it is not easy to euthanize. I am more used to it now. I have had to cull several this year. I wrap them in a paper towel, but them into a zip lock and use scissors.

For processing, I use a very sharp knife.

 

[sewandgrow]

My DH grew up on a small farm and they killed a chicken almost every Sat to have for Sun dinner. He and his brothers thought it was funny to watch them run around the yard without a head. Their poor mother had to do the real work of plucking without scalding or using an automatic plucker. That doesn't sound appealing to me! I read that allowing them to run around like that can bruise the meat. Is that true?

I don't know about the bruising part. I was a kid without those questions..........LOL. I kill mine to process by cutting each side of their neck behind the ear while they are safely tucked into a traffic cone. Not much fuss at all.

 

[caychris]

Good lord, I still cry when they die in my arms, I cannot imagine cutting a head off and letting them run around. Don't get me wrong, I sell roosters and ducks for meat, so I know what's gonna happen to them when they leave, it's just that I can't get the courage to do the deed myself.

-Kathy

Being I guy does not automatically make you immune to the fact that you are taking the life of an animal. But I guess we are more "got-a do what we gots to do" I set some rat traps out last year in my garden. And one of the stupid things got its back broken but got out of the trap and was stuck in a pot wimpering when I went out to check the traps. I tried a number of things trying to kill it quickly but the thing just wouldnt die. I didnt want to touch it or anything (it was a rat after all) so it took quite a bit of time to actually kill it. Made me very aware I was taking a life even if it was a rat. So did a little bit of self assessment after that and decided I guess I can kill something if I have to but I really need it to be quick and done. As far as the chickens (or eventual rabbits) are concerned I think the eventual suffering avoided (either not being able to house or feed the things) will be my motivation to "put on the big boy pants and do it quick". Ive always tried the follow the philosophy that once I make a decision dont hesitate but be sure my decision is correct first. A bird/rabbit raised to be meat will end up as meat. I'll do the deed myself at least once so I know how. I may pay others but only because I expect better results for the time than I can do. (novice that I am)

 

[chiqita]

My DH grew up on a small farm and they killed a chicken almost every Sat to have for Sun dinner.  He and his brothers thought it was funny to watch them run around the yard without a head.  Their poor mother had to do the real work of plucking without scalding or using an automatic plucker.  That doesn't sound appealing to me!  I read that allowing them to run around like that can bruise the meat.  Is that true?

Yeah. Ours flop but the head is toast so no feelings. Its the feelings that worry me.

karen the showgirls can be arranged! They are the best goofy chicken in the world!

One of the silkies tried to steal the newborn chicks today. She tucked them under each wing and booked it to a outside nesting box while the mother was squaking in outrage.

This is after another set of mothers stole 4 last night to go with there 3 week old chicks. These poor chicks are very confused and locked up in a cage with original momma. Broody feaver has gone crazy I bet I dont get any mode eggs for a while!

 

[sewandgrow]

Good lord, I still cry when they die in my arms, I cannot imagine cutting a head off and letting them run around. Don't get me wrong, I sell roosters and ducks for meat, so I know what's gonna happen to them when they leave, it's just that I can't get the courage to do the deed myself.

-Kathy

You are not alone Kathy & many people can't do it................... I think I was pre conditioned from a very early age. My Vava was like a pioneer woman & did everything herself from scratch. She had a strong faith & believed the animals to be put on earth to procreate & be food for us & talked me through it all the time. We did chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, goats,rabbits, pigeons. We also made different cheeses from her dairy cows, butter, buttermilk etc...etc.... I learned so much from her.

No, it doesn't hurt the meat.

I grew up the same way, but it is not easy to euthanize. I am more used to it now. I have had to cull several this year. I wrap them in a paper towel, but them into a zip lock and use scissors.

For processing, I use a very sharp knife.

I keep a special knife for that from Havalon that takes surgical scalpel blades ............. super sharp & replaceable.

 

[casportpony]

So what is the best way to euthanize a mature bird if you're a sensitive person like me?

-Kathy

 

[ronott1]

You are not alone Kathy & many people can't do it................... I think I was pre conditioned from a very early age. My Vava was like a pioneer woman & did everything herself from scratch. She had a strong faith & believed the animals to be put on earth to procreate & be food for us & talked me through it all the time. We did chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, goats,rabbits, pigeons. We also made different cheeses from her dairy cows, butter, buttermilk etc...etc.... I learned so much from her.

I keep a special knife for that from Havalon that takes surgical scalpel blades ............. super sharp & replaceable.

I need one of those!

Mine is a Chefs knife that I sharpen before hand and use a steel between birds.

 

[gander007]

Alright when I said all chicks up against the wall for inspection
I meant you baby roo's also

 

[PetRock]

No, it doesn't hurt the meat.

I grew up the same way, but it is not easy to euthanize. I am more used to it now. I have had to cull several this year. I wrap them in a paper towel, but them into a zip lock and use scissors.

For processing, I use a very sharp knife.

The hard part for me was seeing it kick its legs and open its mouth with its tongue hanging out. It didn't expect that. I had really swung it hard but seeing it move made me think that I hadn't killed it. DH assures me that the first swing around killed it. I would have been better off putting it in the garbage can right away instead of looking at it. I was a biology major and dissected a lot of different animals but there is just something about doing the actual killing part that is a hurdle I need to overcome. I guess that I took the first giant step today.

 

[sewandgrow]

Being I guy does not automatically make you immune to the fact that you are taking the life of an animal. But I guess we are more "got-a do what we gots to do" I set some rat traps out last year in my garden. And one of the stupid things got its back broken but got out of the trap and was stuck in a pot wimpering when I went out to check the traps. I tried a number of things trying to kill it quickly but the thing just wouldnt die. I didnt want to touch it or anything (it was a rat after all) so it took quite a bit of time to actually kill it. Made me very aware I was taking a life even if it was a rat. So did a little bit of self assessment after that and decided I guess I can kill something if I have to but I really need it to be quick and done. As far as the chickens (or eventual rabbits) are concerned I think the eventual suffering avoided (either not being able to house or feed the things) will be my motivation to "put on the big boy pants and do it quick". Ive always tried the follow the philosophy that once I make a decision dont hesitate but be sure my decision is correct first. A bird/rabbit raised to be meat will end up as meat. I'll do the deed myself at least once so I know how. I may pay others but only because I expect better results for the time than I can do. (novice that I am)

Necessary does not mean pleasurable, but do-able.................