Does the killing get easier ?

[giasmom]

I've never killed anything intentionally with the exception being fishing. Once you kill something or slaughter your chickens yourself does it get any easier to do it the next time ? I was thinking about taking advantage of all the free roos people have. My only problem is I don't know if I could kill them even if it was to stock my freezer. Do people that give away there roos care if you eat them ? I guess I'm just afraid, Iv'e always been such an animal activist, anti-kill person. I just don't know if I could change. Anyone have any input ?

 

[peckndirt]

The best way to handle it is to get a friend that is familiar with dressing out chickens to help and go ahead and do it as soon as you get them home.

 

[Cetawin]

For some it does get easier and for others it does not. It depends on you personally. It is never easy for me to kill something but I do hunt and will cull/butcher birds. I do not partially like it but I can and will do it.

 

[TriciaHowe]

This is why I don't raise meat birds. I can't find anyone around here to process them and unless I was starving there is no way I could kill them myself. I actually would have no problem dropping them off though and picking them up freezer ready

I had a very hard time having to cull a deformed chick once. I know what you are going though.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Don't feel bad I can't do it either even though I know that is what they are meant for. I have raised meaties in the past for other people to buy and butcher and I am okay with that. Now I want those birds for my freezer but I just can't end their life. Its like saying, " Thanks for the good times now die!" I can't even cull for the betterment of a bird. I have to let my hubby do it. I agree with peckndirt, you should find a friend that is okay doing it and ease yourself in there to help. If you can't do it well don't be hard on yourself.

Edit: I don't have a problem in the world, plucking and dressing it after its been killed. Its that ending of a life I just can't stomach. Maybe you could have a friend kill them while you do something else and then you could help with the dressing/cleaning part.

 

[citrusdreams]

I try to get someone else to do the killing for me, but if I have to, I can do it myself.

What helps meis to think about the treatment that the chickens get from commercial processors. Knowing that they lived well with me prior to their killing, and knowing they will be killed fast helps. At least mine haven't been tortured from egg to death.

But yeah, if someone else can do it, that's the route I'll go. It's easier to do it with someone else, or in a group.

 

[giasmom]

Thank you to all that have answered . If anyone else has any input Please feel free.

 

[mechagrue]

I know that I could never ever kill a chicken. My plan if I have to cull for a medical reason is to take the chicken to the vet, and pay them to euthanize her. Which I am aware is completely ridiculous, but there you have it.

This makes me a tremendous hypocrite, because I eat meat all the time. I'm fine with it if someone else does the killing and cleaning. Isn't that terrible?

I can't reconcile this. It just is what it is. Plenty of people obviously have no problem slaughtering and dressing their chickens, and more power to them! Without them, there would be no KFC, and I would be sad.

Don't feel bad about it. And don't feel like you have to put on your big girl pants and kill a chicken. Trust me, you're in good company!

ETA: on the roo question, some people care if you're going to eat it, and some people don't. I think it's appropriate (and decent) of you to ask them ahead of time. "I'm planning to kill and eat it, is that okay with you?" If it's NOT okay with them, they will be really grateful that you asked.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I feel the exact same way. To answer your question, yes it is terrible. I have come to grips with being a hypocrite and I'm good now.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I have been keeping chickens for about 4 years now, and about a year & a half ago learned how to process chickens. My friend & I had a neighbor, experienced in hunting, show us how. Since then we are continually trying to improve our technique, to make it less stressful for the chickens and more efficient for us.

The actual killing part will never be my favorite aspect of the job, but yes, I've become more accustomed to it. This is an unfamiliar experience for most of us in our modern urban culture, to end the life of a creature we're not threatened by, afraid of, or disgusted with. (Yet so many folks are quick to kill most insects and many reptiles they encounter without thinking twice!) To fully face the reality that meat comes from animals, and shoulder the task of processing it yourself. To gain a deep appreciation of the sacrifice, both animal & human, needed to bring meat to your table.

I'm always honest with people offering free roosters and tell them of my dinner plans. Some folks don't mind, others won't return my calls... But really, I usually have enough extra roos hatching here under my broody hens, I don't have to look around for other people's birds. It's nice now not having to worry when chicks start sprouting little red combs, I know exactly what my plans are for those guys.