How many people here raise their chickens as pets?

[jenniferlamar70]

You are definitely not alone! I live in Minnesota where farming, fishing, snowmobiling, and hunting ... Well, you get the gist ... Oh, and high school sports - are #1

It's so true. I've never heard it worded better. I think it's the only way someone could hunt and butcher. If their heart was complete and it wasn't drilled into them that animals are just food then they couldn't do it and all the lobbyist couldn't make their money anymore..

 

[Mrs. K]

Some people love having a flock, some love individual birds. Most I think are as Orchid, some birds are pets, some birds don't fit the plan. I have had kids in 4H, a great organization that teaches responsible husbandry, the importance of chores, and the reality of life and death. In rural communities, children are routinely taken to funerals, as there is less distinction between age groups. My children have worked livestock with people of all ages, gathering cattle, sorting cattle, feeding and birthing cattle. The people grow old doing this and die. The children go to these funerals of people that they have know well. It is an act of respect. The final respect.

A lingering, tortuous death is not something to be tolerated by anyone in animal husbandry. Illness can endanger the whole flock or herd. Quickly quarantining sick animals, takes experience, and sometimes the coop de grace is the final act of respect a human can give an animal. It is not easy, but it is respectful.

Keeping a flock in size of your ability to care for it, is a responsibility too. Just being alive is not more important than having adequate feed and space to live in healthy conditions. For those of us that hatch, culling has to be part of that responsibility.


Many people on here have old flocks, that live out their lives in peace with out giving eggs. That is their choice, those are pets. Some people on her are more about food production and they are determined to be responsible, to give their birds a safe, healthy environment. They provide good food for their table, is a joy like that first tomato in August. That is their choice. I am a mix of those, I have had birds that did not work, too many cockerels, and an occasional sick bird that needed to be removed. However, right now, my old pet, Butter is once again broody on a nest. She does not lay often any more, but the chicks she has raised for me, well she gets to stay.

As long as we are keeping our birds healthy, fed and in sanitary conditions, lets not be judgmental about which group you are in.

Mrs K

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Some people love having a flock, some love individual birds. Most I think are as Orchid, some birds are pets, some birds don't fit the plan. I have had kids in 4H, a great organization that teaches responsible husbandry, the importance of chores, and the reality of life and death. In rural communities, children are routinely taken to funerals, as there is less distinction between age groups. My children have worked livestock with people of all ages, gathering cattle, sorting cattle, feeding and birthing cattle. The people grow old doing this and die. The children go to these funerals of people that they have know well. It is an act of respect. The final respect.

A lingering, tortuous death is not something to be tolerated by anyone in animal husbandry. Illness can endanger the whole flock or herd. Quickly quarantining sick animals, takes experience, and sometimes the coop de grace is the final act of respect a human can give an animal. It is not easy, but it is respectful.

Keeping a flock in size of your ability to care for it, is a responsibility too. Just being alive is not more important than having adequate feed and space to live in healthy conditions. For those of us that hatch, culling has to be part of that responsibility.


Many people on here have old flocks, that live out their lives in peace with out giving eggs. That is their choice, those are pets. Some people on her are more about food production and they are determined to be responsible, to give their birds a safe, healthy environment. They provide good food for their table, is a joy like that first tomato in August.  That is their choice. I am a mix of those, I have had birds that did not work, too many cockerels, and an occasional sick bird that needed to be removed. However, right now, my old pet, Butter is once again broody on a nest. She does not lay often any more, but the chicks she has raised for me, well she gets to stay.

As long as we are keeping our birds healthy, fed and in sanitary conditions, lets not be judgmental about which group you are in.

Mrs K

I don't think this is being judgmental just because it doesn't follow your beliefs on this. This post was put out there to find others with like minds to talk about our feelings on the subject. It's not meant to hurt others but I'm not going to change my beliefs because someone doesn't like them. I don't have to like butchering animals or believe in ranching. Doesn't mean I think people who do are bad. It just means it's not for me and I don't agree with it. I feel like animals are meant for more. Nothing personal against anyone who lives the other way. Finding people who think the way you do are easy. I'm surrounded by farmers and ranchers. I've grown up with them. Hunting,fishing and butchering your own animals is not uncommon where I'm from. I don't share those beliefs and it is much more difficult to find others who feel like I do. That's why I posted this. So hopefully no one is hurt by this. Definitely wasn't my intention.

 

[centrarchid]

I don't think this is being judgmental just because it doesn't follow your beliefs on this. This post was put out there to find others with like minds to talk about our feelings on the subject. It's not meant to hurt others but I'm not going to change my beliefs because someone doesn't like them. I don't have to like butchering animals or believe in ranching. Doesn't mean I think people who do are bad. It just means it's not for me and I don't agree with it. I feel like animals are meant for more. Nothing personal against anyone who lives the other way. Finding people who think the way you do are easy. I'm surrounded by farmers and ranchers. I've grown up with them. Hunting,fishing and butchering your own animals is not uncommon where I'm from. I don't share those beliefs and it is much more difficult to find others who feel like I do. That's why I posted this. So hopefully no one is hurt by this. Definitely wasn't my intention.

The judgmental part is easy to demonstrate with the repeated statements of disdain for approach that differs from yours.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

The judgmental part is easy to demonstrate with the repeated statements of disdain for approach that differs from yours.

Didn't realize I'm supposed to like it lol. I do disdain the method but not the people. Are you telling me you like the vegan lifestyle? I bet not. Doesn't mean you hate the vegan. I strongly dislike ranching but it does not mean I dislike the rancher. I'm friends with plenty. I'm also not ignorant. I know what goes into ranching and farming. It's a tough life of very hard work but I still don't have to agree with why it's done. The only people who are offended are people that have chose to live that lifestyle. This thread was not meant for those people. It was just to make friends with people who have similar lifestyles as me. Why is it such a big deal to make an effort to meet others with my views? If you don't entertain the same feelings you can scroll past my post and talk to others. I'm not trying to start a debate. I'm not going to other people's post and telling them how to live. I'm just here trying to make friends with common interests and beliefs just like everyone else..

 

[Leigti]

My niece is in 4h. They do have lots of involvement with their animals. They have to raise them. The difference is they are taught from the time they are born that animals are food. Nothing more. They do learn to care for them in the way of being humane. My niece would never harm or hurt it but she has always known they would eat it. My kids have been raised differently and the thought of killing an animal to eat repulses them. We plan on doing 4h this year though. Not all of them are for eating. My kids are going to raise a chicken for showing. They don't have to sell it at the end.

I think there is a huge difference between kids raised on farms and ranches in those in cities or suburbs. It's basically two extremes, there's not a lot of people in the middle it seems. If I lived out where I could have livestock, I probably would raise a steer, a pig, and some chickens for food. But I know that I could not name them, and I would know from the very beginning they were going to be food. But I would also take as good of care of them as I could write up until their last second on the planet. I would have somebody else do the killing and butchering though. I hope that for H is doing something to teach kids humane treatment of animals. All animals. Proper handling of the animals can greatly reduce their stress.

 

[mjbws]

Hi to all! Okay, well first off, I believe that some of you may have misinterpreted the original post. The poster was seeking out other like-minded individuals. Her view was clearly stated; it was a thread meant to safely express her opinion with other compatible thinkers. I'm fairly new to this site, but I had absolutely no trouble running into plenty of other threads such as the best way to butcher, culling, best cooking methods, etc... pertaining to viewpoints that I'm pretty sure don't align with the poster's stance. I for one, have never gone on any of those threads to disagree, out of respect. Common sense told me that they probably didn't need a vegan pet turkey lover on their thread commenting. If you read my post, I stated that I didn't "understand." I will always stand up for those who don't have a voice. Thank you for those who took the time to offer another side, even though I still respectfully disagree

Also, the original poster even expressed that some people she knows ... "don't have the same lifestyle as hers, and that's okay!" So I'm perplexed where the "judgemental" comes in when the thread was hijacked away from the original inquiry (???) Anyways, I hope there are no hard feelings! Have a great night everyone!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

I think there is a huge difference between kids raised on farms and ranches in those in cities or suburbs. It's basically two extremes, there's not a lot of people in the middle it seems. If I lived out where I could have livestock, I probably would raise a steer, a pig, and some chickens for food. But I know that I could not name them, and I would know from the very beginning they were going to be food. But I would also take as good of care of them as I could write up until their last second on the planet. I would have somebody else do the killing and butchering though. I hope that for H is doing something to teach kids humane treatment of animals. All animals. Proper handling of the animals can greatly reduce their stress.

I don't think any rancher or farmer I know mistreat their animals. They are cared for very well in my opinion. I also do agree about where your raised having an impact on a person's views. I grew up eating meat in the country around ranchers and farmers who love to hunt and fish. I still turned out this way though lol. My environment didn't effect my views because I was raised to also think of livestock as food. I just couldn't. I love them like I love my dogs. I feel like they have feelings. It's my personal beliefs and I don't try to make others feel the same way. It is always nice to meet people that feel the same though. It's easy to feel like an outcast in a world like ours. My views are not shared where I live lol. I feel like that's helped me to learn to coexist with other views. It is nice to be able to have a conversation with someone else who shares your beliefs. It's just so much easier because they understand your feelings.

 

[mjbws]

Oh, and some insight .. I have a sister and brother-in-law who farm, plenty of friends in the farming industry, a father who was huge in the rodeo circuit - oh my goodness, don't get me started with THAT!!! haha - a brother who hunts, meat eating family and friends ... And guess what??? I love them all!!!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Oh, and some insight .. I have a sister and brother-in-law who farm, plenty of friends in the farming industry, a father who was huge in the rodeo circuit - oh my goodness, don't get me started with THAT!!! haha - a brother who hunts, meat eating family and friends ... And guess what??? I love them all!!!

Lol yup same here!!