Dumbest Things People Have Said About Your Chickens/Eggs/Meat

[Amarisus]

One thing I cannot stand on these forums is people saying I can't eat my chickens they are pets...... but you buy "pets" to eat from the col. IDK perhaps growing up in a rural area knowing the cow in the neighbor's field may end up in my parents freezer and dinner 2 or 3 months from now had something to do with it. I like cattle they can be smart and caring but also stupid or violently dangerous. This is why most 4h clubs require the sale of winning animals and also urge the sale of all others (the one in my area allowed chickens and rabbits to be shown for several years partially due to the length of time it takes for chicks to get to laying age and other factors and of course horse pony and mules where obviously excluded). sorry for the rant but chickens in MHO are farm animals meant for food production (meat and eggs) and breeding not as a "lap dog".

The dictionary defines pets as "any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately" There are no specific kind of animals that are labeled as "pets" "not pets" Some people have rats as pets. I think or rat as vermin and a pest but that does not mean someone else out there has a pet rat that they adore and I would not tell them they are wrong for having it and loving it. I don't like snakes either but alot of people own them and love them too. To each his own I say. I'm not saying I would never eat my own chickens though either, I have eaten my own chickens. But there were a few that I got attached to and labeled my pet because they would sit on my lap and let me hold and pet them, I would not eat those. I think of chickens as both live stock and pets, depending on how you raise them and what you raise them for. In my opinion It doesn't matter what type of animal it is but how much it means to you.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

old rooster,
I have to disagree. I named all my meat roosters, (Brock, Julius, Jeff, and the ironic one: Ronald and McDonald) and still butchered them. I could never butcher my hens because they have been with me for as long as 6 years and have really become pets. I think cattle are different, while they can be sweet, all of my bucket calves have become so aggressive that I don't mind the thought that they are going to be butchered.

All of my Bucket Calves have been steers though and I realized that because they cannot reproduce, they have no purpose but either to become pets or to eat them. Like my roosters, don't want them to reproduce, to aggressive to be pets, but they are edible. My Hens, I want them to be able to reproduce (well, lay eggs), they are friendly enough to be pets, and I can't eat them. My goats, we don't milk them, they are pets, won't eat them. My cat, reproduce no, pet yes, eat no. Dogs, reproduce no, pet yes, eat no. See what I'm saying, they fill one or more of those purposes. A chicken is not necessarily for food, but it can be a pet.

 

[Jadnils]

Another "dumb" thing by the husband...We are preparing to go on vacation for a week..needless to say, I have a ton of worries...I have about 15 pets including my special needs chicken Zoey( just look at my "signature")a hermit crab and 4 tanks of fish...to make a long story short, when I I'm stressing over leaving my girls and all the others, he just says" Well that's why you shouldn't have all these animals in the first place." Boy ! Does that show the compassion or love or what? I am so worried about Zoey...I have a good pet sitter but she had never done chickens, never mind a special needs chicken. She also works part time so won't be here 24/7. There are so many things that could go wrong and it is stressful to leave for a whole week. So..recently, that has been the dumbest thing said about them...Please pray for me and my flock ! We leave tomorrow !

 

[Jadnils]

And as for those who cannot possibly eat their pets? I am right there with you...If you buy any animal to later be used as eating/meat..then ok, I can totally understand that...perhaps that is the difference...I could never do that as I imagine many others cannot also but, don't condem and curse those who do ..they are doing what they believe in and what they want to do. We all have to eat and where we get our meat ( those of us who eat meat )have to get it from animals and if they chose to raise them and eat them then that is fine. If those of us who could not do that chose not to, then so be it but don't ridicule those who do. Their animals live a much happier, healthier and freer life then meat bought from the stores. Just my opinion...

 

[lynnR]

I live on an island with only a 3 mile stretch of rough single track road and very little traffic. Driving at anything over 40mph here gets you labelled as a maniac driver. There is only one inhabited house north of me along the road. My birds are 100% free range and can go where ever they please. Everyone who comes here knows this.
One friend was complaining about having to slam on his brakes to avoid running over one of my young cockerels, which made his 3 year old daughter hit her face off the dash board and cry.
I was telling him how he should have been driving slower and have had his daughters seat belt on. Also animals have the right of way and I've told him this countless times.

He went on to tell me how chickens were not animals..................At the end of the conversation he said "Well I won't be stopping for them again. I'm just going to run them over!"
He has since killed one of my rare breed cockerels on the road.

He did say it was an accident and he was driving barely 5mph. I find it very hard to believe him seeing as I've NEVER seen him drive slower than 25mph and he already said he wouldn't stop for a chicken. He also still doesn't put his childrens seat belts on them.

 

[holyhart]

Quote: That I would definately report! Last time his 3 year old slammed her face....next time her whole head could end up through the windshield.

 

[FireTigeris]

I live on an island with only a 3 mile stretch of rough single track road and very little traffic. Driving at anything over 40mph here gets you labelled as a maniac driver. There is only one inhabited house north of me along the road. My birds are 100% free range and can go where ever they please. Everyone who comes here knows this.
One friend was complaining about having to slam on his brakes to avoid running over one of my young cockerels, which made his 3 year old daughter hit her face off the dash board and cry.
I was telling him how he should have been driving slower and have had his daughters seat belt on. Also animals have the right of way and I've told him this countless times.

He went on to tell me how chickens were not animals..................At the end of the conversation he said "Well I won't be stopping for them again. I'm just going to run them over!"
He has since killed one of my rare breed cockerels on the road.

He did say it was an accident and he was driving barely 5mph. I find it very hard to believe him seeing as I've NEVER seen him drive slower than 25mph and he already said he wouldn't stop for a chicken. He also still doesn't put his childrens seat belts on them.

I'd put obstetricals in the private part of your road, fast moving cars won't see- but I'm mean.

A game cam and show pictures to the police?

 

[cheeka]

I live on an island with only a 3 mile stretch of rough single track road and very little traffic. Driving at anything over 40mph here gets you labelled as a maniac driver. There is only one inhabited house north of me along the road. My birds are 100% free range and can go where ever they please. Everyone who comes here knows this.
One friend was complaining about having to slam on his brakes to avoid running over one of my young cockerels, which made his 3 year old daughter hit her face off the dash board and cry.
I was telling him how he should have been driving slower and have had his daughters seat belt on. Also animals have the right of way and I've told him this countless times.

He went on to tell me how chickens were not animals..................At the end of the conversation he said "Well I won't be stopping for them again. I'm just going to run them over!"
He has since killed one of my rare breed cockerels on the road.

He did say it was an accident and he was driving barely 5mph. I find it very hard to believe him seeing as I've NEVER seen him drive slower than 25mph and he already said he wouldn't stop for a chicken. He also still doesn't put his childrens seat belts on them.

oh gosh, unacceptable. his behavior is outrageous, if he did that here where I live... he'd be cited for child endagerment, having and unrestrained child in a vehicle in the front seat is completely illegal. killing your bird is tragic. I'm so sorry, it's heartbreaking.

 

[lynnR]

The worst part is that it's not the first time his kids have 'hurt themselves' while having to brake the van/car.
I would report but it would only mean hell for me from his friends, family and other islanders would be mad at me. Population of 30 so things get very personal very quick sometimes.
Public road I'm afraid too but the thought did cross my mind, I just couldn't find anything substantial enough at the time. lol
If it weren't such a small community I would have nothing to do with him. His whole attitude stinks.
He has also laughed at my several requests for compensation for the cockerel. I asked for £20 it being a rare breed and having buyers interested in my flock.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

You really need to tell somebody about that guy. Even if he was going 5 mph he might as well have stopped and chased it out of the way. Sounds like a real jerk.

Once we were driving down a country road into town and saw a dead BO. I was really sad, even though I knew the owner wasn't a very good one (very skinny birds). Then I was talking to a lady at our 4-H Extension Office and she said she had hit a yellow chicken at that same spot. It made me really sad...

I hate seeing a dead bird, ever.