Quote: When I joined BYC, I was really shocked that my view on things changed so dramatically. I grew up anti-hunting (Bambi) and anti chop a head off anything. I thought it was cruel. Uh-huh.
Then I realized that on Long Island (before I moved) the deer were getting smaller, dying of malnutrition, eating people's bird feeders, they ate my whole front yard! Out on Shelter Island, they were allowed to use deer fencing and those grates for driveways. It was really bad. My sidewalk was covered in deer poop every night. I would peek out the window at night and be face to face with a deer. Things had gotten that way because of people who thought it was cruel to shoot deer. Lesson: not culling was killing the deer slow and painful.
Then I joined BYC and could not understand people on this forum having chickens as food. Then I learned that supermarket chicken and eggs are cruel. With raising poultry for food, I (Duh!) learned that anyone here has concern for the well being of their chickens whether pets or food. Lesson: Quality of life Until becoming dinner is important. Supermarket chickens don't have that.
This may seem really naive to some, but it's true. I'm left respecting those who raise chickens for food and have concern for their well being until then. Certainly humane.
I Never thought I could chop the head off anything. However , when one sees an animal suffering, the humane thing to do is to end it's suffering quick and painlessly. Meaning that I learned how to use an ax. I still take some of mine to the vet for euthanization. I guess it depends on what the chicken would want. They do tell me : "let me die on my own", "get me a shot that makes me sleepy", or "Get it over with now!". I now use about an ounce of vodka (for each of us), wait an hour and do the deed. It helps. Then they all get a funeral and a prayer and a few personal words. Amen.
Its funny how when you get a little perspective you trip over a Paradigm.... I recently did a little trip over my objection to veal... the industry has changed some but i still wont eat it. The whole idea of a calf being taken from its momma just so we can have milk.... Oh wait there was that shift... the Veal industry is a product of the milk industry....
Same goes for every dairy product... little uns are removed and bottle fed so the Goat, cow, Sheep can freshen their milk.
The deal with beef is the calf is taken away and put in a shed and not allowed to ever eat green food. till they become anemic. They can only survive x amount of months this way and are slaughtered at the optimum weight.
So I don't object now when others have veal. I still wont eat it.
I have never dispatched an animal for food... but I know I could with Chickens and Guinea Fowl It would be imperative that I do it right... Its not the place for being tentative... Though since I would have to do it myself I will be learning how to do it using a cone.
Once I get experience I will add in at least one or two Muscovies for my larder.
deb
dont be envious you too can have the same none of this was here except alot of work clearing rubbish out n creating it
