Getting flack for killing our meaties -- and need some reassurance!

[dancingbear]

You might tell them to do a little research about how their meat is raised, and that yours have better lives. Tell them what you just told us. I've explained to people the difference between taking responsibility for my own food, and hiring a hit man to do it for me, so I could try to pretend I had no responsibility for that death...

If that's not enough for them, tell them to bugger off and mind their own business.

 

[ekemily]

You are doing a great job. Don't listen to what others think. Tell them to go watch Food, Inc. and maybe they will come around.... but I doubt it. Some people have no idea that the chickens in the store had feathers at one point... In my opinion, if you're not willing to kill something to eat it, then you shouldn't eat it, whether or not you've ever killed that type of animal before. Would I eat a puppy? no. Kitten? maybe.

(just kidding for all you cat lovers out there)

 

[Preservation Acres]

I learned a long time ago not to let dingbats influence my behavior or my emotions.

Just roll your eyes and move on.

 

[Amyable]

All those people lambasting you are ignorant or willfully blind. They are hypocrites!!! One of my favorite quotes is from the author of The Joy of Keeping Chickens. She says, "if I am to eat meat, I need to be responsible for the life and death of that creature." Bravo to you for raising your own humane meat, and tell those noodleheads you don't want to hear another word from them.

 

[gpamela3499]

Actually I am kind of jealous. My family chooses not to eat meat because of the methods in which store bought chicken is raised not because we are spiritually vegetarians. I would love some real chicken. Unfortunately we can not raise our own meaties because we live in a city. We have a speak easy coop with no roosters. I really envy you. I hope that makes you feel a little better too. You don't know how much we miss a little real meat once in a while.

 

[honeydoll]

Quote:
That is encouraging. Sorry about your situation, but it does make me more grateful I have the option. I bet you do miss meat. If ever you are in a place to raise meat chickens, I highly recommend it. THe meat is superb compared to store bought. I couldn't believe the difference. I was really proud of how my first batch turned out.

 

[gryeyes]

I don't raise meat birds. I know *I* could never process any of my birds because I've made them my pets. I was involved in assisting my grandmother when I was very young as she prepared two hens for food. I found it interesting (even though my parents did not want me observe, much less help out). Granny grabbed each hen individually, twisted it around in the air, then chopped its head off. She dunked the bodies in scalding water and I plucked them after she showed me how to do it. She didn't name any of her chickens, except the rooster, who apparently lived a much longer life than any of the hens. Until they were selected for eating, they were kept very well, humanely, and possibly even spoiled to some extent.

The only creepy bit were the two disembodied heads, which clucked silently for a few minutes. My father explained why there was no sound coming from the beaks. I believe I was about 7 years old at the time.

Nearly fifty years later I am quivering in anger at what you've reported happens to you. How {expletive deleted} rude of those people! What business is it of theirs, anyway? Some of them are your family members? Oh, aren't relatives such pains in the behind, sometimes?

As for anybody not related to you (which you have no control over), there should be something pithy and pointed to say to them. Something along the line of "I prefer my food fresh, chemical free, and while they're growing I treat these chickens much better than any you have ever eaten, anywhere."

And they can go bugger themselves, exactly as someone else has already said.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
I think you can get all female meat birds... is the crowing the reason you have none? My meaties have never crowed tho...lol

 

[AVizcaya]

HoneyDoll,
We live in a world of ignorance in a time of limitless knowledge, the people who are doing what is right by the world and the animals MUST have a backbone and try to inform the willfully ignorant. They don't have to agree with you, but if you can just explain to them how you explained to us your reasoning for raising meat birds at least you can plant a seed of knowledge in their tiny little brains. I run a farm on a well traveled road with a game reserve that runs right along my property next to my coups. Several times a week I get stopped in the middle of my chores by passer-byers that have question about my animals and I get the privilege to explain why they are going to be on my plate when they are juicy and fat. Some people are horrified but most will begin to see a glimmer of the truth about our food industry. Keep strong, this world needs more people doing what is right, thank you!

 

[Oven Ready]

It's your choice, you're not breaking the law. what is their problem.... Their problem is that they need a problem to pick on you with, anything will do.

Next time they're round for dinner, cook one of your own but only give them potatoes & veg, pointing out that they said what you were doing is wrong and therefore them eating it would be wrong. I'm guessing they won't mind you slaughtering your beloved potatoes and carrots.

I think you need a extra helping of self-respect, don't let others extreme views overrule your own, let them sway your view, but not overrule it.

Keep on Chickening !