First time butchering experience..sort of..

[NYRIR]

Ok,maybe I'm looking for some help here.My DH and my daughter butchered 2 of our roos this past weekend.My DH and my daughter did the work,all I had to do was go into the yard,pick the right roos from the flock and carry them to the butcher block.The problem is...it's still bothering me a bit.I think because they had names and I coddled them from the 2nd day they were alive until now.They trusted me so much,that I could walk up,pick them up and carry them to the block.They didn't even resist to having their heads put in between the nails!My DH did it very quickly (hatchet to the neck) and it was over.One he cut into pieces and the other he plucked and left whole.Right now they are sitting in the fridge "resting".Here's the problem with that....every time I open the fridge,I think,"That's Leghorn and Foghorn".I want to butcher,I know the benefits for my family,and quite frankly,I'm surprised at how much it's bugging me.So my plan is to freeze the meat tomorrow and wait a while before cooking it.
I also have 44 "meat" birds in the hatcher right now,so I'm hoping someone can tell me this gets easier.My DD was really good about the whole thing,she admitted it was hard but she even rinsed the meat and helped pluck!She couldn't watch the actual culling though,and I don't blame her!
So on one hand,I'm glad for the flock that we did it (and still have 2 more to go to lessen the mating on my hens), I'm glad my DD got the experience and handled it well, but on the other hand,I feel like the Grim Reaper!Now if I could just rationalize WITHOUT any emotional disturbance...I'd be ok!
Am I making any sense? Or am I a sap? I DO want to butcher just want to know if it gets easier or not?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Yes and no.

I name and coddle all my "meat" birds - they are all home grown, and named. DH mentioned the other day that they never fight going to the block and do not fuss having their head restrained - just like yours. I am glad that they are that way, loved, coddled and not stressed when processed. I thank each and everyone for hatching, tell them I am sorry that they were cockerels but that I love them and am grateful that they will nurish me.

The best thing for me, is to remember they are there because of me and their time is short, no matter if it is 5 months or 12 months.

 

[ChickyLaura]

I understand your feelings! I just ordered 10 meaties that are due to arrive the first week of March. I've had chickens for 2 years. I only culled one so far, basically to see if I could do it. The chicken was just about gone, barely breathing, so I just "did it". That bothered me for a long, long time.

So, anyway, I've been reading the meat birds threads on here for the past week, and I told my DH that we ARE going to do it ourselves, instead of getting somebody else to process them. Last night I read the thread about pithing, and it just made me think that I CAN'T do it. But I told DH that I could. He has told me many times that he doesn't think that I can kill any of my chickens - meat birds, or not.

I want to do the whole process from beginning to end... BUT now I'm seriously doubting myself. I know once I do it a few times I'll be OK, just the first time seems like it will be so difficult. At least that's what I've read in the past.

I guess naming the birds doesn't help. My youngest daughter already said she isn't even going to LOOK at the meat birds.

 

[Cass]

Don't name the ones you know are food. Or name them dispicable names that you will have no problem killing. (remember that kid in 3rd grade that tormented you? Revenge?)

These are food you are raising to feed your family. Don't allow yourself to get attatched to them and it will get easier.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

you are making perfect sense, you care about your birds. Time in the freezer DOES help. I freeze all of mine for that reason. It DOES get easier, but like someone said in an earlier thread, you're not really supposed to enjoy the killing.

 

[NYRIR]

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Yeah,I know...it's just the look in the eyes...

But I also know that it's better than what the store bought ones go through! But it's harder than i thought.

 

[NYRIR]

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I would definitely not name them...I'm not naming the next ones....for sure!

 

[NYRIR]

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Thank you! When you say it like that...it does make sense.If I enjoyed it,I'd be worried! And yes, I LOVE my birds...probably too much!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

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Yeah,I know...it's just the look in the eyes...

But I also know that it's better than what the store bought ones go through! But it's harder than i thought.

But find comfort in knowing they are calm.


For me, it bothers me to think about someone else processing them. Not that I mind anyone processing birds, but our birds know us and do not panic when we handle them.

 

[NYRIR]

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Gotcha!