First time processing a white broiler...It was heartbreak!

[Denninmi]

That's right. Recycled buckets are great. A few years back, I got a couple of hundred of them free from a local restaurant -- all kinds of food products come in them, like pickles and pie filling. I've found all kinds of uses for them, from storing honey to planters to chicken feeders.

 

[Beckycs]

I re-use, anything and everything I can get to do a job for me.

 

[ChickyLoo]

Quote:
You are helping me we just got our meat birds 2days ago & already I was getting anxiety about their fate. But like all the othe comments made we want to know where our food comes from. This morning I went out to the brooder & one of the meaties was dying. It was early & I didn't want to wake up my hubby to do the deed. I held the chickie until he passed because I couldn't bring myself to end his short life.........i need to get that book too & I thank this community for their support. We newbies need all the help we can get.

 

[Bucky182]

I guess growing up on a farm is alot different than growing up in a city enviroment. I have lived on a farm most of my life execpt when in the military. I see them as a renewable resource that God has blessed us with. I also find it funny that people have a hard time killing an animal yet it is proven that plants also feel pain. So vegatarians are killing and causing pain just to a species they can't see pain reflected in. We are all part of a great circle of life, exept it and live with it and know that no matter how far you pretend to be out of the circle you are still in it and can not excape it until you die. (Which is part of the circle also) Respect your animals, treat them well and humainly but also know that with out them you and yours can not exist and the same goes for the veggies too. We all depend on each other to get along. It is natural and normal. It is life...

 

[Denninmi]

Quote:
A very true and well-reasoned response.

People in urban and suburban environments who are "divorced" from where their food comes from often do feel "funny" about killing things. I know I do (well, did, kinda sorta!).

I think the character Joey on 'Friends' said something good, too, in a little dialogue about animal rights and vegan diet with Phoebe: "If God didn't want us to eat them, why did He have to make them taste so good?"

 

[Beckycs]

Our body has needs and creation, God, Truth (whatever one wishes to call it ) has provided for those needs, be it in the form of vegetable or animal.

It is interesting that in the wild world, which everyone thinks is so beautiful and peaceful, there is much less empathy for how something dies. Its, no matter what it is, existence is dependent on the death of something else, and something else will ultimately use it for nourishment somewhere along the way. I think, in many ways, nature is much more brutal than most of mankind. At least most people look for ways to provide for the least painful dispatch method. Even people sent to death row are dispatched in humane ways for the most part.

I am at peace on my farm, and I eat from my garden and from amongst my animals, clean healthy food that tastes delicious. For all of that I am thankful and willing.

 

[hhong3138]

Updating!

I did 2 more birds with help from my husband. It was still an unpleasant experience, but I didn't have heartache this time Many thanks for all of you.

 

[hhong3138]

Quote:
You are helping me we just got our meat birds 2days ago & already I was getting anxiety about their fate. But like all the othe comments made we want to know where our food comes from. This morning I went out to the brooder & one of the meaties was dying. It was early & I didn't want to wake up my hubby to do the deed. I held the chickie until he passed because I couldn't bring myself to end his short life.........i need to get that book too & I thank this community for their support. We newbies need all the help we can get.

Hi ChicklyLoo,

Thanks for sharing your story. How are the rest of your meat birds doing? We had some very hot days and I lost one too. This is a great site and I did two more birds and my husband helped me Although it was still very unpleasant, but I didn't get sick this time. The important thing we should keep in mind is giving them good food, shelter, and humanely treatment while they alive.

The book is great! I highly recommended it! I think it really helped me in adjusting my emotions--these birds are not pets, unlike my dog who is part of my family.

 

[itom37]

Quote:
Curious about any scientific literature on plants feeling pain. Not trying to be contentious, truly interested about where you learned that

 

[Roccomanchickens]

Good job on trying again! You did great. Not everyone can do this, so you have done something quite admirable. It is easy for me, as I have worked in poultry slaughter plants and pork slaughter plants. We are definately doing better to slaughter our own animals. To make you feel a little better, the flapping is not suffering, it's just the nervous system. The chicken was "dead" the instant the axe hit the neck. (that's how I slaughter mine, to me it doesnt make that much difference in the ability to bleed out the meat) Also, a little blood in the meat just adds to the flavor. (always told the kids it was not blood, it was "juice"

People like you that have difficulty at first are good mentors to those that want to try. Thank you