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

[honeydoll]

Ugh. I am really frustrated right now. My hubby and I bought our first set of chickens a little over a year ago. I bought some cornish X's as well, thought I'd give meat birds a try. I cannot believe how many people this offends. I am shocked! I didn't even think I was doing something "wrong" because I buy meat at the store and well what's the difference?!!! I am really getting flack. When I read about how large commercial farms treated their chickens I really felt good about raising my own. Please, I am not putting down farmers, I have no problem with them so don't get upset with me. But I am proud of how well we take care of our chickens, how when it is processing time we are careful to make it a quick kill and so the chicken doesn't suffer. But I am getting hammered by anyone who finds out just about. I don't advertise but if I am asked I don't hide it because processing our own chickens is NOT WRONG!!! To top it off, everyone fussing and acting like we are murderers, they are all meat eaters too. What's up with that?!!! I feel like we almost have to hide what we are doing. My father-in-law used to hunt and when he found out we process our own meat chickens and meat rabbits, he told me he thought that was bad for our kids. WHAT???? He used to hunt and bring his rabbits home? Then he went on to say that he will cook us hamburgers for dinner tomorrow? Ummm, does he understand that a cow was killed for that meal? I am really at a loss here, very frustrated. Where DO PEOPLE THINK WE GET MEAT FROM?!!! My husband and I are talked to like we should be ashamed. It's not like we have a huge Slaughter Party and all the sick people of society join us. We take great pride in our meat chickens, they are very well cared for and even free ranged. I don't know how to handle this, I am really frustrated. Why do so many people, who eat meat too, act like we are doing something wrong? Any advice on how to handle this? I am sick of feeling like we are doing something wrong. I have had two or three people say that we can get meat from a store and not kill our own, it's not necessary. What is the difference. Our meaties taste great. We love the quality meat we get from them. I feel proud when I see a dinner on our table that I raised from egg to table, vegies from my garden and fruit from our trees. The satisfaction of providing a healthy meal that we did ourselves with no chemicals is worth it to me. But why all the flack from everyone. I am sorry to rant for so long but I just am getting sick of this. We are semi close to farms, I would think people would be somewhat used to the idea. I didn't get cornishes this year partly due to the flack we get. I know that is silly, I should live my life but I am really sick of all the flack we get. Anyone else deal with this? I just need a little support. I am about to process a few chickens and really am concerned about the reaction we may get. We process privately, no one can see it but my neighbor's will notice some are gone. UGH!!!

 

[Wolfwoman]

Tell them to get over it and get on with their own chemical and hormone laden lives. You are not doing anything wrong, in fact you're doing it MORE right than they are!! You care about your critters, and they in return give to you, that's what LIVESTOCK are for. Maybe you should get a calf, name it 'Beef', raise it and then let it disappear? See what they say then?

People haven't a clue nowadays and it's those like you, that when the poo hits the fan, will be able to live and survive and the other will come running to you for advice. Be PROUD of what you do!!

I make fur hats and mittens, imagine what people like to say to me?

 

[1_FnkyFrm]

Make a dvd of how their store bought food is raised a prosessed and then see what they have to say.

 

[isadream]

Just ignore them. Ppl are soo disconnected from the real world. They think if it comes from the grocery store and is all wrapped it up then it was never a real animal. We do our own processing when hubby hunts. Ppl will get over it or if they dont you dont need them in your life anyway!

I think its great for your kids to learn how to process themselves--if they ever need to know then they will.

 

[chocolate m'scovy]

First of all, "civilized" Americans tend to be a bit squeamish about these things anyway, tending to think that we can just "let someone else do the dirty work." But your kids are learning about where food comes from. It doesn't come from a package at the store. Someone has to DO something to the bird before it's supper.

Your birds will live happy and fulfilled lives. You are being much kinder to chickendom then your Wal-Mart- loyal neighbours.
Enjoy them! You're doing what's best for everyone!!

 

[PurpleChicken]

What those people think of you is their problem, not yours. Process your birds and enjoy the fresh, well cared for food.

 

[Menmyrc]

I agree. People in general are very disconnected. I'm not met with rudeness or anything when people find out my chickens produce meat, but I can tell by their expressions that they want nothing to do with the "product." Nor do they want any of the eggs, because I have roosters.

My son has a friend that won't eat any fruits or vegetables because they "grew in the ground." I wonder where he thinks the carrots in his little bag of baby carrots grew?

You are doing a great service for your family. I wish I had a smart comeback you could throw out to quiet them. Just take pleasure knowing that you know what you're doing is very good!

 

[greathorse]

I have been a butcher my entire life. My father had a country butcher shop and the meat business has been my career since. I will never understand why there is such an odd perception about those of us that slaughter and process animals.

I understand why someone may not want to see it or be involved by I think it is the responsibility of of every meat eater to at minimum honor those that can harvest these animals for folks.

It is nothing to be ashamed of and I never have been.

And yes home butcher should be a celebration/party it makes it more fun, gets it over with quickly and can be a lot of fun. On farm slaughter historically was a group that got together and did several animals at one time to make the process more managable and get it done quickly.

Chickens were treated more singularly than large animals, but even at that, after the advent of freezers there would be gatherings to process a mess of birds. When I grew up it was Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents that would gather and butcher a big pen of chickens. Lots of fun as I recall.

 

[honeydoll]

I really want to say something to these people, but I usually bite my tongue. Thanks for the encouragement. I am mad at myself for choosing not to buy cornishes because of everyone fussing at us. My DH let's it roll off his shoulders, he could care less if they "approve" or not. I sometimes think I will go outside in the morning to feed my rabbits and they'll be gone due to someone stealing them because they know we will process them. I need to get a backbone about this and just let them judge as they wish.

 

[kla37]

Meat does not magically appear in the freezer section. That is bothers vegetarians, I can understand. Omnivores, that eat meat, but refuse to acknowledge that the meat came from something alive, I don't understand. It's just plain stupid.