Gimme strength, Duck processing day has arrived

[Dogfish]

Say a good word to each bird before teh deed, and again when you prepare them. Some people hire others to do their killing for them, while you have taken the responsibility to do it yourself. Time to grow. Best of luck, and I hope it goes smoothly for you.

Andy

 

[Leasa79]

I look at it like this. I raise them well, they live free and enjoy life for the time they are here. I make sure they die fast, and we do not waste anything. I know my animals enjoyed ever minute they had, safe, sound and with some fun. I feel better eating them than the birds at the store. The ones crammed in cages, living in their own filth, never flapping a wing, scratching the ground, seeing water, never "living". Sure, I can run to the store, and pretend to be ignorant to where my food comes from, but thats true hypocrisy. Even my vegan friends have a hard time arguing about what we eat. The usual spiel is cut short due to the life our animals have. I hope this helps.
Liz

 

[dancingbear]

I don't know about 'scovies in particular, but with Khaki Campbells, and with chickens, the excess males become more and more of a problem as they mature. Keeping too many males results in tired, nervous, harassed flocks. You do the whole flock a favor by eating the extras. Eat 'em with a clear conscience. And let us know how delicious they are.

 

[savingdogs]

Thanks Dancing bear, I have noticed you are correct already. We did the deed and the remaining ducks are much calmer and happier, even though we did not realize they were not calm or happy. We are new to ducks so still on the learning curve. We now have a much higher ratio of total females/males (nine females to five males, all three months old).

The processing went fine, we did have trouble plucking but I guess that is just another part of the learning curve. Thanks for all the encouragement. We are having our first duck dinner for Father's day.

 

[malignstar]

Quote:
My feelings EXACTLY. Except my situation is buying the grocery store food for my 2 dogs and 2 cats (I can't eat any meat but seafood as I get very very sick). I have friends and family members that are HORRIFIED I am going to raise animals at my new house but really I would much rather be in control of every aspect of those animals' lives from hatching to death than leave it up to someone who is mass producing and cutting corners to save a few bucks. I want to make sure the animals I use to feed my dogs and cats (they don't have a choice- they are carnivores!) are raised right not only for nutrition sake but because I want to be sure they die as humanely as possible with dignity and thanks. I am grateful for the opportunity, though I'm sure once my animals are ready to go I will be feeling just as bad.

 

[savingdogs]

Well I did have a bad moment when they were so trusting about us putting them on the chopping block. But my husband reminded me that since they never knew what hit them, they never were scared.

 

[DuckDuckGoosed]

Quote:
How did you go about it...as in what method? I'm trying to figure out the quickest least painfull way to process my 2 drakes and a gander, though they have a few more months of sun, fresh air, grass and such before they are of a good enough weight to process. I have to do the deed myself, no DH to do it, though I may be able to get my dad to help (read do the deed for me, while I just hold them).

To make the day easier I did (tongue in cheeck) name them Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, which helps to keep in mind thier intended purpose.

 

[itsy]

I was glad to have read through this thread as I get mentally prepared for the day that I have to process myself.

Congratulations on being able to "do the deed." I know it couldn't have been easy!

 

[Denninmi]

One thing that is important to me emotionally as I prepare to do this in a few months for the first time is the knowledge that the Cornish X and Broadbreasted turkeys I am raising are genetically doomed, and will just suffer if I were to try to keep them alive. I realize its kind of a cop-out, since if I hadn't ordered them in the first place, they probably wouldn't be alive at all. But, the thought of that seems to help me a great deal. Contemplating doing this to something that has the potential to live a full and normal life is another matter at this point.

I did however like the one comment about having too many drakes in a flock of ducks - I have that problem, and I am contemplating the same solution eventually this fall. Got to get through the chickens first, then we'll see.