How to gently persuade someone to kill and eat pets?

[jaj121159]

I didn't read all of the posts, but the best thing to do is when you get them, treat them and have your family treat them as food right from the get go. I just raised a bunch of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If the birds you hae are older I would sell them as to skip the trauma and start with new birds and treat them as you would a garden. Their purpose is food period. Eggs, then meat.

 

[ShadyHoller]

Red&Yellow :

SilverPhoenix, that was wonderfully put.

It's wonderfully put, but that approach only works if you don't eat meat, or if you are willing to buy meat at the grocery store and pretend it doesn't come from an animal. I see SilverPhoenix's post says he/she is a vegetarian. I assume most people on the Meat Birds thread are not.

(edited to fix spelling)​

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
I have to disagree with this. It's certainly not true for my household, and I'm sure it's the same for many other families. I'm happy for you if you find it easy to afford feed for however many chickens you choose to keep.

...the point I'm trying to make is, it's completely up to you how you choose to view your hens.

Of course, I think that's what most people on this thread have said in some form or fashion.

One does not have to view them as only a commodity that one can kill at a whim.

I don't think that many of us who process our chickens take such a cold-hearted view, nor have we made this choice on a "whim".

...Feeling sad or upset about killing hens that you like and are attached to shows compassion and a different kind of strength. A person who kills is not stronger, better, more well-adjusted, more realistic, etc. than someone who chooses not to kill.

This is one point that resonated with me, that there is a tendancy to stereotype folks that process chickens as tough, those who cannot as tender. I do agree that everyone should feel free to keep their own chickens in the way that works best for them, without being critical of the decisions of others.

That's why I initally replied to this thread. I wouldn't try to persuade someone else to butcher their own chickens, especially if they considered them to be pets, if they weren't certain about doing so. And I wouldn't think any less of them if they didn't want to do it. But if they did, I'd be there to help show them how.

This is an issue that every chicken keeper needs to consider, just what they'll do with their hens when they slow down/stop producing eggs.​

 

[Beekissed]

Threads like this one are a cautionary tale for all those people who are even contemplating getting into chickens. Yes, one is free to do whatever they wish with their own chickens....but please have a plan before you ever shop for that first little chick or that first ornamental, fussy little banty that catches your eye and heart.

What will you do if they get hurt and need a mercy killing? Who will do it? Do you have a vet who will if you cannot? How will you treat illnesses? How will you manage the health of your flock in order to prevent illness? How will you house them, feed them, keep them safe? Will they be pets or food~or both?

If you have family, have you discussed your goals with this new animal purchase? Are you all in agreement? Have all been educated as to the possible problems associated with raising that particular animal? Will you be able to afford to keep them? Does your town, city, neighborhood support that kind of animal?

It's all well and good to discuss back and forth the relative merits of chickens as pets or food or both....but the real issue is having a plan and sticking to it. All discussions about such things after you have obtained said animal is moot....your goals may change afterwards but you are still stuck with animals that die easily, are the number one prey for most predators in your neighborhood, and are very expensive to vet. These points need to be discussed with all parties concerned way before you ever obtain a chicken.

Even on a budget, one can easily support feeding a number of chickens.

BTW, I disagree with the above statement also. Just because there are numerous people on this forum who tell tales of $2000 eggs, a lot of people I know cannot fit supporting a number of chickens easily into their budget....especially as pets. There are many people in America who struggle to feed their own kids, let alone "easily support a number of chickens" on their budget!

Not all budgets include the resources this poster seems to have.​