How do you live with yourself eating the birds you raised?

[CoyoteMagic]

Anybody remember that show that was on a while back. 4 Teams of kids out in a town living without adults around. Kind of like a mini survivor?

Even those kids realized at some point that they needed the chickens that they were raising, not only for eggs but for meat as well. I haven't eaten any of my own, my husband would faint if I did something like that, lol. We will be doing so next year but he will have no contact with those chickens so he doesn't become attached.

 

[Beekissed]

chickensducks&agoose :

I think the way the question is asked is part of what is raising hackles... How do you live with yourself? What if it were a 'how do you live with yourself for voting republican?' or for voting democrat? or being Catholic? or being pagan, or how do you live with yourself being obese? not a curious kind of question, but an accusatory one. we all make choices that are the best we can, we do what we think is right, and many times have thought about decisions deeply. sometimes people just do what's easy, but if that turns out to be the wrong choice, asking 'how do you live with yourself' seems a bit harsh.

That's definitely the part that stuck in MY craw!

As for eating dogs? I would imagine they taste something like bear, which is a delicacy here and said to be very tasty. I would have no problem eating one of my dogs and was thinking along those very lines as I am on the verge of having to decide what to do about an older, sick dog. She has been my companion and friend for 8 long years now and I love her dearly, therefore I will not let her suffer and die slowly....but should her body go to waste?

As I am an organ donor, its obvious how I feel about our bodies after we are dead. I'm hoping they can use my organs, my eyes, my skin, my bones and anything else they can glean from my body before it is finally reduced to ashes. Should it be any different for a dog? Shouldn't we process their bodies into food for the other animals or ourselves, their fur into warm coverings?

In another culture this would be common place. I long for such a culture as that...one that is sensible about things and does not equate dog with God.​

 

[NevadaRon]

chickensducks&agoose :

I think the way the question is asked is part of what is raising hackles... How do you live with yourself? What if it were a 'how do you live with yourself for voting republican?' or for voting democrat? or being Catholic? or being pagan, or how do you live with yourself being obese? not a curious kind of question, but an accusatory one. we all make choices that are the best we can, we do what we think is right, and many times have thought about decisions deeply. sometimes people just do what's easy, but if that turns out to be the wrong choice, asking 'how do you live with yourself' seems a bit harsh.

BIG

Thanks for saying what I'm sure many of us were thinking.

 

[fargosmom]

When we moved as a culture from raising our own food to buying it in a supermarket's artificial sterility, we removed ourselves from a basic reality - everything organic on this planet gets eaten by something else, and is fulfilling a necessary purpose by feeding another living thing. This goes for plants, bugs, chickens and even people. Even if it's only a bacterium that's eating you, you can be darn sure that SOMETHING will eat you when you die too. This distance from our food has also led to us eating things that really aren't food at all, in the sense of sustenance - Doritos anyone? (and yes I think they're delicious too but that's not the point). I have a greater sense of gratitude for something I've raised myself, when I eat it. I have not yet raised meat chickens but I am quite sure I could. I too would rather eat something that got to see sun and grass and enjoy life, which trusts me because I've treated it well and with respect, and which is granted a death with dignity and respect. I also think it's far healthier to know where your food comes from and to have some connection to it, rather than to pretend it's just phood that comes in a pretty plastic package. Buying meat in the grocery store allows people to avoid guilt because they can pretend that it was never a living thing in the first place, which to me is far more disturbing than killing it yourself.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Quote:
BIG

Thanks for saying what I'm sure many of us were thinking.

At first glance I thought the same as you, but after reading her post it was clear that what she was asking was how she could live with herself. She made it very clear she didn't think it was wrong but was wondering how and if she could bring herself to do it. Actually an honest and admirable question, and the reason most were very polite with their answers. It is an understandable delima if the only live animals one has been exposed to have been treasured pets, and probably a very big hurdle to overcome.

I have had cat, admittably unknowingly, but on many occasions. When I found out what it was, I found I had to rearrange my very American thinking, because it was the best meat EVER. I have pet cats, I don't consume cat's knowingly, but should need ever become the cause I would view everything but humans as potential dinner. In a repectful and grateful manner of course . . .

But that is because I was exposed to it early on.

 

[Beekissed]

Just think how it would eliminate the overcrowding in shelters, stray dogs and the feral cat population if people could just change their way of thinking about what is food and what is not.

Food for the masses and the end of a big problem....its a win/win situation.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

ahhh, a fan of A Modest Proposal

 

[TimG]

Quote:
BIG

Thanks for saying what I'm sure many of us were thinking.

At first glance I thought the same as you, but after reading her post it was clear that what she was asking was how she could live with herself. She made it very clear she didn't think it was wrong but was wondering how and if she could bring herself to do it. Actually an honest and admirable question, and the reason most were very polite with their answers. It is an understandable dilemma if the only live animals one has been exposed to have been treasured pets, and probably a very big hurdle to overcome.

Yep, I don't see how anyone who read the opening post could think that the opening poster was being critical of anyone except maybe herself.

 

[Beekissed]

You see these birds most every day, right? Don't you get atached to them at all or feel bad you're eating them?For me,If I am in the same area as an animal for a day I get atached but mayby I'm a little sensative. But I love my chickens and I can't eat chicken anymore because I just can't amagine eating an animal so funny and cute and full of personality. How do you do It?

Maybe its because of all the "you's" in the post which normally would refer to the other person and not oneself. The only time she really refers to herself is to assert that she is "sensitive" and "loves her chickens", is attached, and cannot imagine eating one. Followed by, once again, "How do YOU do it?"

I really don't see where this is an innocent plea for just how she can she ever get to the place in her life where she could actually eat a chicken. I see this is a comparison....SHE is sensitive, attached and loving towards her chickens and YOU(the other white meat) are NOT attached, should "feel bad" and just "how do YOU do it?"

Get real...its a slam. I've also noticed the OP hasn't revisited the post in awhile. Was this a post to stir the pot and get folks hot?

 

[NevadaRon]

Quote:
BIG

Thanks for saying what I'm sure many of us were thinking.

At first glance I thought the same as you, but after reading her post it was clear that what she was asking was how she could live with herself. She made it very clear she didn't think it was wrong but was wondering how and if she could bring herself to do it. Actually an honest and admirable question, and the reason most were very polite with their answers. It is an understandable delima if the only live animals one has been exposed to have been treasured pets, and probably a very big hurdle to overcome.

You're pretty smart KatyTheChickenLady! The title was very provocative, but maybe that was to stimulate a lot of responders.

If so, it worked!

I'm going to finish my pork sausage and eggs now.