Can you raise chickens to eat, and still love them?

[Guinea Goonie]

When we got our first chicks, we seperated them into 6 different storage containers. We sorta guessed at what each breed was (It was chick days, straight run, at the feed store).

When we were done, the wife told me. "see those ones in the last two containers ?, don't name those ones". They were the "meat birds".

 

[greyfields]

Honestly, I have always felt this puts some sort of 'ominous' warning over their heads like something 'bad' and 'foreboding' is inevitable. There's nothing bad about their fate. I'd say give them names, enjoy them just like you would any other you bring into your life.

 

[Bossroo]

No matter what the chicken, duch, goose, turkey, lamb, goat, beef whent by, they all taste great. We always give them the best of food , shelter and love, then thank God that they gave their all to us. Some SE Asian friends of ours also enjoy dog and cat stir fried as it is their culture.

 

[cjstanman]

We're first time chicken owners, and this past weekend first time chicken processors. It was weird - I had never killed an animal until then. I liked them, they were companionable, but they weren't my pets. Once we found out which were boys vs. girls, we named the two boys Lunch and Dinner on purpose. We didn't know if we'd get too attached. (And we've named the 4 girls "Clucky and the Egg Bombers," just because it sounds silly.)

When push came to shove, the boys had a wonderful life and the end was as quick and humane as we could possibly make it. We appreciated them fully, and we are looking forward to the girls laying eggs - soon, I hope!

We also wanted to get a little closer to our food source. As my husband says, "It's not like the chickens from Wal-Mart committed suicide and ended up on your plate."

Love the forum and learned a lot lately from this Meat Birds section as we took this step. Thanks to you all!

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Your hubby is a funny guy! And right on the mark, too.

 

[gapeachy]

I am having a hard time just eating the eggs....I dont know if I can or not....I really dont think I am a true country girl.....It just eeekkks me out.....I want to be able to eat a chicken we raised....maybe with time....

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I treat the meat birds like the produce I grow in the garden -- give it lots of care & attention, meet its needs, admire its beauty & growth, anticipate its flavor, and be grateful & appreciative for every morsel. I have the most difficulty dispatching the really good-looking ones, we have a lot of home-hatched mixed-breed roos that feather out into some stunning color combinations. But instead of being sad to have to butcher such handsome birds, I try to appreciate the fact that our tasty meat comes in such attractive packaging.

My boys are rather philosophical about the whole thing, although I can't get them to help with much more than fetching tools. They will watch, and pat the birds "good-bye" before they're chopped. I reassure them that we won't eat the chickens while they're fuzzy & cute, and they often lose their appeal once they're grown. But I cannot name the meat birds, not even something graphically obvious like "Meatball" or "Food". "Aww Mom! You're not going to butcher 'Food', are you?" "Umm, yeah, what did you think?"

But I still cannot bring myself to butcher the older laying hens, or the roosters who manage those flocks. If times get tougher, though, if the family got more desparate, I could probably manage it. And I think if I continue to keep chickens I would change my perspective on the old layers.

With each butchering session I try to learn more about how to do the job with skill & efficiency. This is my final act of care for these birds, to give them a swift & considerate end.

 

[MrsSmitho]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I am not the freak people at work think I am!!

I love my birds!! They are spoiled rotten. I even plant them little patches of greens in the run. People at work think I am cruel and a freak because I love and spoil them and enjoy eating them!

We are doing goats and turkeys this Spring...and they will be loved also

We do name a few birds, depends on their personality...but the "dinner" birds have funny names like Dumplings or Garlic, hehehehe.

Thank you for this thread...I am not alone...

 

[1acrefarm]

I love each and everyone of my animals. I always have remorse when I cull any of them but I still go through with it. I even shed a few tears over an older hen I culled. I saw how full of eggs she was and wondered if I had made a mistake. I do have certain animals I would never cull unless not doing so would lead to their suffering or my certain starvation. Even from the get go my mallards were never meant for the table but if one say broke a leg or wing I would eat it. Mean animals will always get culled but I will still feel remorse.

 

[crazy hen quartet]

Quote:
When I was growing up we had four turkeys whos fate was sealed - my parents told us not to name them so we wouldn't get attached. Well, we named them Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Mandy (the last one after my youngest sister) and we still laugh about it. Well, everyone but Mandy.