I am such a softie... Should I turn vegetarian?

[Mahonri]

I haven't been able to harvest any of my birds yet... but I have so many roos in the brooder I'm going to have to do it in about 14 weeks.

 

[NorthCoastChick]

I read every one of the posts. I'm planning to get some meat birds later this year, and I'm still learning. I'm pretty sure I can handle the slaughtering and butchering. The only reason I can assume this is because I have been raised a hunter, trapper, and fisher-woman. On the other hand, I love animals (even though I choose to kill them sometimes!) and almost hope that I will not become attached to the chickens, even though I think I will. Even so, I believe, like so many others on this forum, that giving an animal a contented, healthy life (even if it's short) and a quick, humane death is a better thing to do than buy chicken from the grocery store and look the other way when shown the cruelty of factory farm operations.
In addition to the thoughtful responses on this forum, I came away with two thoughts:
First, I am amazed at the respect the forum members have extended to eachother, especially in regards to the vegetarian/meat-eater debate, which would have blown up with accusations on many other forums.
Second, I'm surprised at all the references to "higher powers" and such here. I agree wholeheartedly, if you are spiritual in any way, with thanking an animal for providing for you. I have actually knelt next to a dead moose and whispered a prayer to it, and then enjoyed moose steak later that evening. To some people this may seem like justifying murder by saying a few words, but I believe it's a heartfelt thanks.
I've been lurking on the BYC forums for a couple months now, and hope to learn more in the near future, as I get closer to getting my own flock.
*Sorry this post has been so long. I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

 

[SillyChicken]

Quoted East Coast Chick: "Second, I'm surprised at all the references to "higher powers" and such here. I agree wholeheartedly, if you are spiritual in any way, with thanking an animal for providing for you. I have actually knelt next to a dead moose and whispered a prayer to it, and then enjoyed moose steak later that evening. To some people this may seem like justifying murder by saying a few words, but I believe it's a heartfelt thanks."


You're not alone ECC!

I've hunted for 30 years, I've always thanked the deer for the essence of his body and wish his spirit a safe jouney. I love animals, I highly respect the roles they all play in our world. I look at the taking of an animal in a realistic manner and don't feel guilty about it. I'm playing a natural role and so will you!.

It's OK to feel sadness, it's what makes you human, but don't allow yourself to feel culpable for taking a chicken for your family.

 

[peterlund]

Hi Jeff.
I am new to the BYC forums and have prepped and am getting ready for a smaller flock coming in the next week. I am in Eastern Mass, and they will spend a while in my basement til they can survive the cold, but they have a nice coop waiting for them. Back to my question: If you dispatch so many birds, how do you go about it? I will have a few meat birds (Cornish X) that will need to be done, and any tips from someone who does it with efficiency would be appreciated. I am all for the "off with it's head" way of doing it quick and easy.... But read so much on the slit throat and bleed out process... I guess I am simply asking your opinion. I am sure you have written on this (as may have others on this forum) but this paragraph caught my eye. Not meaning to hijack the thread either. You can email me at peterlundstrom@comcast(dot)net, or post here. Thanks a bunch!
Quote:

 

[mistyfeather]

Quote:
i flinched on that part! it gave me the heebee geebee's

they can even eat human bone and not leave anything behind ( i think they are the only animal that can actualy prosses EVERYTHING

 

[Armageddon]

I intend to process my extra birds....I think of it htis way......I went to my local hatchery and picked up my chicks.....they literally had thousand of chicks for the hatch that were NOT sold. I asked what they did with them...

They told me, some locals knew their hatch day was Monday, Sell day Tuesday so oin Wednesday many would come to buy "extra chicks" on Thursdays "sometimes" they had a guy who took them to auction....the rest, just die...

Better to have life with usm who love them and cherish them for all they give.....


With all that being said....I am very attached to my chicks....I grew up a butcher's daughter, I STAND STRONG!! (I hope)

 

[bibliophile birds]

my first processing day is this Saturday. no one in my family thinks i will be able to do it. i was a vegetarian for 6 years and i'm a big softie. but i'm VERY passionate about sustainable, ethical, clean food. i got my chickens after reading an article about how 3 million day-old male chicks are put through meat grinders (completely legal) every year because they are useless to the egg business and are Legherns, so they aren't valuable in the meat industry. that was enough for me to bow out of that racket.

my cockerels that are up for the chop have lived really good lives. i wholeheartedly believe in loving on my chickens (well, the ones who want loving), but i distanced myself from the cockerels as soon as i could distinguish them. i had been getting more and more nervous as they got closer to slaughter age, but a couple of them have become problems- aggressive and obnoxious. that has given me a lot more courage.

i am 100% determined that each of them will die by my hand alone, at least this first go round. i don't think anyone else would appreciate their sacrifice and respect them the way i can since i've been caring for them from day one. my father is going to help me with processing since i don't exactly know what i'm doing yet, but i've assured him i can do the killing. i've watched lots of YouTube videos to get the techniques down and to desensitize myself a bit.

i'm nervous, but excited too. this is the first big step into my life as the foodie/farmer i want to be.

 

[dancingbear]

Leah, I applaud your determination. I had a hard time butchering at first, but now it's easier. It's a good feeling to know that you have what it takes to do the job, and provide good, healthy food for yourself and your family.

I hope all goes well, I wish you an easy processing day.

 

[comp6512]

Update from the OP:

A couple, my uncle and aunt "from the village" visited last weekend, and we asked them to show us how to process a rooster. So they did.

It was done very fast and efficient. I did not witness the culling part, but DH did, as he was learning. Uncle took a rooster, laid him down on a log and chopped his head. Boom. Then he held it for a couple of minutes while the blood was draining and that was it.

Aunt boiled a pot of water and mixed that with a half a pot of hot water from the tap. Water was mixed in a 5gallon homer bucket. She dunked the rooster while plucking it. The whole plucking took maybe 10 minutes if that. Then uncle and DH burned off small feathers with a butane burner.

Aunt gutted the chicken and showed me how to do that.

I did not have any emotions about it, strange..... Maybe because in all but 15 minutes the what used to be a rooster looked just like a normal chicken from the store.

That was it! And oh, I saved the feathers for the future pillows.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Yay for Uncle & Aunt! Comp6512, I'm glad you had such excellent & experienced help to get you over this first hurdle. I hope your bird cooks up deliciously.

Bibliophile Birds, let us know if you would like our cyber support for your endeavors this Sat. What videos have you watched in preparation? I think this one:

is extremely helpful. I admire your stance to want to do the actual dispatching on your own, and there's no reason why you cannot. So read up on the different dispatch methods, and also be prepared for the way the birds reflexively move & flap right afterwards. It can be a little upsetting for beginners, with concerns that perhaps you didn't complete the process. Because you care so much about their welfare, you're a great candidate for processing your own birds. You can calm & comfort them up to the finish, and provide a quick & humane ending.