How to mentally prepare for butchering?

[digbychris]

No doubt the first time is the hardest. For me, after doing it many times, it's still a consideration. I take a moment to recognize their sacrifice and that appreciation carries through to eating (and selling) them. My SO, who grew up doing this had a weird reaction to my guilt when one time didn't go as planned. It's not a part I enjoy, but it is necessary.

 

[trudyg]

My first time was in anger. At the young cockerels ganging up on that one, poor old hen. She had been hiding for over a week because they'd get her if she came out and I'd been carrying her tuna and other good treats for the entire time. Poor thing came out at dusk for a stretch and I heard her screaming. Snatched her up to safety, then grabbed at the one still trying to get at her and caught him by the tail feathers, then used that anger to do the deed. It wasn't easier to do the rest, but at least I had one under my belt and killing him was pretty easy. The butcher job didn't go so well, but I didn't care. I soon got the others done and that was that.

 

[RoosterML]

My first time was in anger. At the young cockerels ganging up on that one, poor old hen. She had been hiding for over a week because they'd get her if she came out and I'd been carrying her tuna and other good treats for the entire time. Poor thing came out at dusk for a stretch and I heard her screaming. Snatched her up to safety, then grabbed at the one still trying to get at her and caught him by the tail feathers, then used that anger to do the deed. It wasn't easier to do the rest, but at least I had one under my belt and killing him was pretty easy. The butcher job didn't go so well, but I didn't care. I soon got the others done and that was that.

Yep that would work.

 

[Maeschak]

I like to start off my butchering with the jerks first. That always helps my emotions immensely. Wait until one of your cockerels starts terrorizing you or the other chickens and then butcher him first. (That is how I started.) You might be surprised at how much easier it is to do when the chicken is mean and you will get a bit of practice so you can be sure that your technique is up to par when it comes time for the rest of the chickens.
Then, after the jerk (usually a rooster) is gone, you will see pretty quickly that there are absolutely benefits to culling the flock beyond chicken and dumplings. Flock dynamics will immediately improve, egg production may go up, and the coop will seem so much more peaceful. In essence, you won't regret butchering one bit and will wonder why it took you so long.
After that, it is a bit easier to migrate to butchering chickens that aren't jerks.

 

[Mosey2003]

Then, after the jerk (usually a rooster) is gone, you will see pretty quickly that there are absolutely benefits to culling the flock beyond chicken and dumplings. Flock dynamics will immediately improve, egg production may go up, and the coop will seem so much more peaceful. In essence, you won't regret butchering one bit and will wonder why it took you so long.

Excellent point!

I wanted to cull my older 8 hens in order to make room for my last 7 younger ones in that coop. I did four the first time and the overall feeling in the pen was MUCH more relaxed, the younger girls actually started to roost, etc. Plus, some of the older ones actually had really sick livers that just crumbled, so I was happy that I culled them before they actually became sick or didn't feel well.

 

[Rysktal]

I find harvesting day emotionally and physically draining, so I need to make sure I will have time to recover afterwards.

Your muscovy drake will be delicious. We raised 20 this year and wow...so so tasty. (All 20 were well loved...such an experience actually *loving* your food!!