does anyone ever get used to killing and eating their birds

[Wife's Chicken Killer]

and that is OK. I tell my wife that would like to see her take a greater part in caring for them... NOT slaughtering them; just caring for them. But she tells me that I do that so she doesn't have to get attached to them. I respect her feelings and keep my numbers down to something that I can manage by myself. She keeps and raises her easter egger's just fine... And if anything were to ever happen to her "babies" she would have to call me to manage it.

 

[chickened]

have a guy that does the deed for 2.00 and for that price I have no reason to do them myself. I have butchered literally thousands and can do it with out any problem. There is always someone to do the jobs I cannot or will not do.

 

[Wife's Chicken Killer]

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agreed! Only wish I had more money to pay them to do all the other things I don't feel like doing...

 

[redbudchix]

I understand your wife's feelings...I think I am there to a point. I know what has to be done, but my heart doesn't. My husband is a great man, but geeks are not known for killing things. So I know, when the time comes, I better have the answer. I too, will be the one responsible for the animals. I think I will have to find someone in our area that slaughters. I just know, right now, I can't do it.

 

[Wife's Chicken Killer]

It's good that you recognize this NOW. With the proper planning you can be prepared when the time comes. So that whether it is you or someone you have hired you will be confident in their/your ability to accomplish the job to your specifications...

If you ever reach the point where you can kill your chicken there are amazing resources on this forum to help and guide you along with support of members. Granted, I've only been a MEMBER for a day. BUT I have read this forum for years prior to joining. These members are very caring and helpful.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Wife's Chicken Killer :

It's good that you recognize this NOW. With the proper planning you can be prepared when the time comes. So that whether it is you or someone you have hired you will be confident in their/your ability to accomplish the job to your specifications...

If you ever reach the point where you can kill your chicken there are amazing resources on this forum to help and guide you along with support of members. Granted, I've only been a MEMBER for a day. BUT I have read this forum for years prior to joining. These members are very caring and helpful.

I live in the country - a long term transplant. Have a neighbour that buys eggs from me and thinks I'm completely nuts for getting so attached to my birds. She can't understand at all why I keep the ladies for years - even when they aren't productive anymore. (She's a true farmer.) Apparently she used to raise chickens herself - dual purpose. She's VERY happy to hear that I'm ready to start offering free range organic "meaties". I've discussed things with her and like her method of slaughtering the birds so we have an appointment in the fall .... Oy.​

 

[BoomChickaRocka]

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dont get attached to them. get attached to the hens that will be around for a while, youre just making it harder on yourself if you get attached.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I can certainly understand the sentimentality, I still cannot butcher my original old laying hens or flock-leading roosters, nor can I butcher my ducks or geese. However, I have become very used to killing & eating the extra cockerels that I've decided are going to be dinner guests right from the start. It was a departure for me at first, deliberately killing an animal for food, one that I wasn't threatened by or disgusted with or afraid of. But now I find it makes me feel empowered to have mastered this essential human survival skill.

Right now I have about 20 young cockerels in a pen ready to come in for dinner. I cannot wait to get them done, they're eating their heads off, making all sorts of noise, and will terrorize the laying hens if I let them out to free-range. They're nice & meaty, it makes our mouths water to feel their fat drumsticks. I'm going to try to do 8-10 of them this Sat, and do the rest in the next week.

It really helps to decide who is going to be meat right from the start, then they are like produce grown in the garden. You can still nurture them while they're young, admire their beauty, take pride in their growth, while anticipating the tasty harvest.

 

[chickened]

Being a male myself I for one am glad humans are not on your menu.

Ever see the movie Motel Hell? I have 25 red broilers and to be fair I am harvesting them all hens and roos.
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[lemongrass]

I grew up on a farm that raised steer for meat. I refused to eat it when I knew it came from our stock. They eventually expanded to goats. I didn't appreciate what a luxury that was until I left the farm, and now I'm starting my own farm for meat, eggs, dairy because I can't imagine having it any other way. That being said, I have never killed an animal intentionally. I do not have a problem processing one after it is dead. Will I be bothered by the killing? Probably. Will it keep me from eating it? Definitely not.

I grew up around it, though, so I guess its more "normal" for me. We always had our animals butchered off-site though, and my reasons as a youngin' were for sentimentality.. "I knew that cow!" To ease the pain, I've decided to keep a few as "pets". I allowed myself one pet chicken, maybe two. And my first three dairy goats are here to stay no matter what. Past that, its fair game. They all get good lives, a much less painful death than slowly dying of old age (or, vice versa, than being man-handled at large processing facilities), and they go to a good cause -- keeping the family that cared for them cared for in return!