Duck Responsibilities (aka Slaughtering Our First Duck)

[rodandbrandy]

There is something to be said about raising your own meat, when you raise your meat and process it there is a new respect for life and what it takes to raise your own food, ignorance comes to an end, you realize making it on your own is hard work in more ways than one. Keep on raising your own meat, it provides good healthy meals for all!

 

[dangerouschicken]

You are aware that there are parts of the world where living as a vegan is just not possible. You are a very lucky person to be able to choose to eat what you want, not just what there is. Fresh produce is a luxury. There are many people who rely on insects, wild game, and the occasional drink of non-poluted water. While there is an argument to be made about feed for animals that could be used to feed humans, there is a lot of corn right now being grown to run cars. Such is life....

And yes, there is starvation, that's why more people should eat eggs, as a hen will produce one everyday, whether you choose to eat it or not. It is sad to kill an animal, but it is even more sad to starve to death when you could be eating chicken eggs.

And if people are still hungry, have them grow rabbits, that produce, well, like rabbits. Out of 2 come many many more.

My brother is a vegan, and he is also an idealist. I am a meat-eater, and I am also a realist.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
I think the real cure to starvations is to eat idealists. Or realists. I can't decide really.

 

[dangerouschicken]

Throw us all into the stew pot!

 

[greyfields]

I've changed my mind. We should eat equivicators... or grind them up and feed them to all the cows who'd otherwise starve to death.

Wait, I've changed my mind again.

 

[dangerouschicken]

I've got fresh duck chilling in the fridge. That's all I care about anymore.

 

[zatsdeb]

before owning chickens and other farm animals, I think most of us went into the stores, buy hamburger, chicken....hot dogs, lunch meat, beef jerky..lunchables..! sausage..bacon....etc...... we just don't think. Having animals makes us think more about the food chain.
It is weird eating our animals, but knowing that we don't have chemicals and whatnot in them makes it better.
We had ducks too, they are so much different than I thought they would be. some are just plain old ducks, running around, but some are more personable. I had one pekin that would run into my arms if I was sitting on the ground, and make little noises like she was talking to me..! I don't think I would have eaten her, but maybe others.

 

[dangerouschicken]

My Grandpa Ben, who is 84 and knows everything despite only having a 7th grade education, sent me an email today with better instructions on butchering duck. I thought I would share them:

In response to your duck butchering episode, sounded like quite a learning experience. Here's what I would do: Bend wings back, grasp with left hand. Place head and neck on wood block or stump. With other hand, chop off head with axe or cleaver. Muscle contractions will last till heart quits due to loss of blood - lasts 30 seconds. Duck feels NO PAIN after head is cut off. Pluck duck dry - use small vegetable brush to remove fuzz or down. LEAVE SKIN ON. Cook duck with skin on, keeps breast moist. Baste with cooking oil. Use the same directions with butchering chickens, only dip chicken in hot water till feathers pull easily..Hopes this helps you with the next go around.


Thanks, Grandpa Ben!

 

[ZykloniaDark-GothikRanchr]

dangerouschicken, I can sympathize with you! I was a "city girl" for most of my life, although I spent the first 4 yrs of my life on a farm. I had my first experience with killing the duck I raised a few months ago. I simply called her yellow duck because she had a more yellow beak than the other pekin I have who I kept for eggs(named Hank lol). I caught her (you are right, no easy task) and held her in my arms, soothing her. I thanked her for giving her life for me and my family, and my husband slit her throat. She had a happy duck life, free ranging on 2.5 acres, with a large pond, eating bugs and weeds all day. She never saw a cage, she never knew illness or pain. I think people would respect food more if they knew how it got to their table. I thank all my animals for their lives, even if I don't eat them. I thank my chickens for their eggs, and meat. I thank my goats for their milk. I have to agree that it is more -- intense with the duck, they just have those eyes. And I could never kill my goose...but I do eat goose. Yellow duck was a delicious, tender, juicy duck. I eat meat. I raise happy animals. Kudos to you for sharing your experience!

 

[dangerouschicken]

Thank you, Zy. My husband made duck breast with cherry-balsamic reduction the other night. I thought it was tender, juicy and flavorful. He, however, decided he didn't like it, and just told me tonight that he doesn't want to eat duck anymore. So now I suppose we have two ducks left as pets