Chickens: Pets Or Food?

[chickerdoodle]

I do understand everyone is different but as long as the care is respectful, humane and comfortable as well allowing them enough freedom to be outdoors, have interactions with their own species or other companion (not just in small cages or tiny pens) then I'm accepting of that. I eat meat--I just am too much of a wimp to know who that meat was by name (wish I could--at least I would know they had a happy life until the dinner plate). We were given the responsibility to take good care of all animals and unfortunately many animals around the globe are treated quite poorly by humans. I certainly understand that if folks have large amounts of animals it would be near impossible to have the same deep bond I do with mine--there is a budget to consider or the farm could go under and then they all would suffer. For myself however, I have always seen my horses as companions and good friends who I loved with all my heart. My cats and dogs are downright family members and my chickens will be loved and cherished with names and the best little lives they could want (except it will be a convent--no boys please). My little parrotlet, Kiwi, has shown how intelligent birds are and that they do have feelings that run deep. I have them all for my pleasure and get much satisfaction caring for them and watching their antics. I am looking forward to getting eggs from my new friends but the joy I get from all of my pets (eggs or no eggs) is what makes my life so much happier and relaxed, and enables me to live my life much more fuller-- and better-- all around--now that's priceless!

 

[RocketDad]

We have 5 pets, with names. Maybe this spring, or next, we'll get a box of chicks that don't get names.

 

[farmerwnb]

Did you say petfood? My dogs enjoy an old-tough rooster every now and again. And again and again. or any poultry for that matter.

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Good for you and well said.

I respect those who respect others. Especially when they respect animals.

 

[Campine Lover]

PETS PETS PETS PETS PETS!!!! I could never hurt my babies!!! I would do anything for my cututzy wutzy feathered buddies! I find them to be very intelegent! I name all my birds, too, and have never had a bird die, EVER! Names-
I have-
Kimberly the Campine
Mable and Margret the Rhode Island Reds
Penguin the Silver Laced Wyandotte
Mary Sunatra the Black Sumatra
Muffin the Bearded Buff Laced Polish
Sugar the Bearded Blue Silkie
Sarah Jo the White Silkie
Amber the Brown Red Modern Game Bantam
Harriet the Black Modern Game Bantam
Missy the Old English Game Banty


Mama to-
2 Rhode Island Reds, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, 1 Blue Silkie, 1 White Silkie, 1 Brown Red Modern Game banty , 1 Black Modern Game banty, 1 Black Sumatra, 1 Golden Campine, 1 Bearded Buff Laced Polish, 1 Silver Birchen OEG banty,
1 Quarter Horse Paint, 1 Black Maine Coon cat, 1 Seal point Ragdoll, 1 American Tabby Shorthair, 1 Jack Russell Terrier, and several Comet Goldfish.

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

Quote:
Our birds are family members.


We eat their eggs, but that's it.


We buy dinner chicken at the Kroger Frozen Chicken Coop in town, or at The Colonel's Avian Hothouse . We make it a point NOT to think about frozen chicken or chicken-in-a-bucket in the same light as our own feathered family members.


We are suburbanites who did not even raise chickens until two years ago. Even now, we have a small flock -- so small that every bird has a name, and we get to know each bird's own unique personality. Even my six year old daughter knows the different personality quirks of each of the hens and our one rooster.


But because we have always bought chicken at the store or at The Colonel's, it does not bother us to look at those birds in a completely different way than the ones in our own back yard. In fact, it is quite natural. What would be odd, I think, is if we began to change that way of thinking about chicken dinner.


If we lived in the country and had a large number of chickens all of the same size and variety (where they all looked alike), then I think we'd be able to butcher and eat them.


But when you have only a small number, and you share such a small living space with them -- well, it is just natural to regard them as pets, and something qualitatively different than the frozen meat at Kroger's.


(And yeah, I KNOW that is "illogical," but how much of human thought and behavior is truly "logical"?)

 

[warmwater]

Our chickens/roos are our pets. My DH lived on a working farm when he was young, they killed-ate-sold what they raised. When we got married and started to get animals of our own....my policy was "until (natural) death do us part."

He agrees with me and now can name and get attached to our animals and know tomorrow they will still be here when he gets home from work. It works for us.

Our oldest chickens are 8 yrs. young

 

[snowhorse]

Pets and food.

My layers are my pets, but my meaties are just that meat. ( they smell so bad you really wouldnt want them around for too long anyways!!)

 

[Morri]

Primarily Pets but also for eggs.... i would never dream of eating mine but i do eat store bourght chicken i know i am contradicting myself but i love my girls !! and they are soo entertaining!!! Even when they get to old to productively lay they will be moved off to the chicken retirement village where they will live out their lives in a warm coop with other old chickens and can sit around and chat while knitting...... i am yet to buy them a bingo machine....

 

[Spookwriter]

Pets or food? No other choice?

Therapy....my chickens are therapy....yep, that's my answer and I'm
sticking to it.

I don't eat their eggs. Give them away.

I don't eat my chickens. That's what KFC is for. Best fried chicken...

I have chickens because it pleases me to. I enjoy watching them. I enjoy feeding
them. I've been known to set in the coop with them. Yep. They might have names.

I enjoy listening to my rooster crow me awake, or the soft cackle of a hen.

I have a nice gentle Jack Russel for a pet. She spends most of her time under my
desk. But she so enjoys taking me for walks while I hold onto her leash.

Dog outside too...yellow lab named Jake. He's just a dog, but he thinks he's important.
Nice, easygoing dog. But he has a job. Pull in my yard after dark, he'll eat you up. And
I'll hide the bones. But that's his job...he's a working dog. Lives right there on my porch.

Just bought the silkies for my daughter. They aren't pets either. She thinks they are. But
she's wrong. They are a tool I willl use to teach my daughter with. The lessons she will
learn from 4-H chickens are worth way more that the cost.

Could I eat one of my chickens?

I don't have to. Life has been good to me. That I not know hunger.

Therapy....Works for me.