First Timer - Processing Today

[valkerri]

OK, that was the hardest thing I've ever done. I've got two cockerels hanging outside and water on the stove heating up. Killing these guys was very hard and I don't think I did it as quickly as I could have which makes me feel horrible. I brought my tween DD outside for moral support (DH was headed to bed after working all night). We went out before the sun was up with the hope that they would never fully wake up. DD was willing to do the deed for me but I was afraid she'd hesitate and wind up making the thing suffer.

First time I've ever deliberately killed something with my own hands. If everyone had to do this, we'd all eat a lot less meat. It makes me think how I've been letting factories do this on my behalf my entire life. At least this way I have an opportunity to treat the animal well during it's life and fully appreciate its benefit to me and my family.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Congrats...

That is a hard thing to do but. I love your attitude towards it.. From what Ive heard it does get a lil easier the more you do it.. Now you just have to tell us how much yummier they are

 

[cluck-addict]

We just processed yesterday too. my first time. DH has been doing it his whole life. my sons, 8, 9 ,10, were shy at first but thought it was great.. We all learned alot!

you are SO right about being disconnected from our food supply, it is enlightening!

 

[MeatKing]

Great to hear someone talk about doing the dead. We got our first Meat Kings and had planned to have someone do it for us.. Found a place that will charge 3.25 a bird to slaughter and clean them... Now I'm thinking I could save the cash and do it ourselves.. What is the best way to do it? How long does it take for eah bird?

 

[mmwb]

I don't know that I can say it bothers me, but there is no reward in the actual killing unless it is clearly an act of mercy. I've killed a lot of birds and animals over the years. I don't see death as a negative thing. We try to prolong life in ourselves of course, but all things will eventually die. There are ways to contribute to the universe in life and in death.

I slaughtered a dozen birds on Friday and it averaged me about 10 minutes a bird from the time I dropped it in the killing cone until the skinned and cleaned carcass was dropped into ice water. A bit too long in my book, but I've not killed birds in a few years, so no doubt I am rusty. I can skin and completely bone out an elk in less than an hour. Practice makes perfect.

 

[HickChick Wannabe]

It was my first day yesterday, too. And the killing did not go well for us, either, and that was a horrible feeling. I expected that part to be difficult emotionally, but the fact that it was simply difficult to do physically was agonizing. For me and the bird.

After that it could only get better. It took forever. I had a friend helping who had done it before, but as I started doing more of the steps, it went slower and slower. 5 birds took the whole afternoon. (Yup. Totally inept. That's me! But at least I didn't cut off any of my own body parts with the knife.

)

MeatKing: there's a sticky at the top of the Meat Birds, etc topic that you'll probably find very useful. I read and copied the whole thing, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, but in the end, I just did whatever my friend told me to do!

Valkerri, I second that; if everyone had to do this, I, too, think we'd eat a lot less meat!

So I did feel sort of empowered by doing it, and felt pretty good at the end of the day. But then I closed my eyes last night and the images began to appear... and then the bad dreams. Anyone else have that?

 

[Amethyste]

yes

I am not in your situation at all! But I had to cull a 7 week old chick for the first time. I have never actually taken a life before, other than fishing but that is totatlly different.

I was ok during the action, but I wasnt expecting the flapping. I knew there would be body movements but I wasnt prepared for that when it happened.

I dont regret what I did, it needed to be done. But that night I had nightmares and dreams too.

However, I know i can kill if I have to, and that is rather empowering in a way...I know it sounds strange. I didnt do it for kicks or for fun, it was to put a critter out of its suffering. I know that I can do it for food as well if that is why they were there.

It was actually....scarier I think for me, the time leading up to it...the anticipation. Once I made the decision and carried thru it got better. I know now that when we get the chickens for meat as well as eggs, I can do what needs to be done. I need to study more on it tho..the butchering and humane killing etc.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
Actually, it isn't. It is exactly the same thing. You are taking the life of something for food that wants to live. It might help your own mentality if you could come to think of the chicken as no different.

 

[Winsor Woods]

Quote:
Actually, it isn't. It is exactly the same thing. You are taking the life of something for food that wants to live. It might help your own mentality if you could come to think of the chicken as no different.

I like the way you reframed that. Nice job!

Dan

 

[Amethyste]

Well, I should rephrase. Fish i dont have a problem with, to me there isnt a sense of, hmmm....connection I guess cos they are cold blooded and just...well they are fish lol

The bird tho... it was different to me cos it felt more personal. Maybe I am not explaining it right. The fish didnt connect with me like the chicken did, and so the act of killing the fish wasnt an issue. The fish wasnt warm, and feathery, and didnt eat out of my hands and sit in my lap.

Course if the fish did....wow what a story! LOL

But no I understand what you are saying, and it was difficult to do that to her. But I did it and I take responsibility for it. And one day I will do it again to other birds so that we can eat. Circle of life and all that you know

At least now I know that I CAN do it...it will just take practice.