Introducing kids to processing

[shortgrass]

I have 2 daughters, ages 9 and 6, and my oldest is starting to show interest in helping process birds... I was curious at what age, and how, did you/ will you start teaching the kids to process? What age were YOU? Tips? Things that can help, since so far, DH and I are big meanies... Because she doesnt get paid for HER chickens..

I have to add...Please have respect. If you are against me, or others, teaching my children to process and/ or learn everything there is to know about keeping and slaugtering their food, then i suggest please being tactfully silent

Thank you in advance for the help

 

[BuckAlorp]

I remember being part in slaughter day for chickens, beef and pork when I was 8 or 9 years old. I don't feel anything is wrong with getting children involved, they may grow a better respect for where their food comes from. I know it did for me. I had every step explained to me as to why it was handled the way it was; grandpa was adamant about that. Aside from the before, during and after hygiene involved a clean kill was most important to him, to eliminate suffering of the animal. Although; I might get them involved in later steps at first, not permit them to witness the actual kill, until they have become accustomed to the process a little more.

 

[microchick]

I was 7 or 8 yrs old when I first witnessed my parents process chickens for the freezer. I was fastinated with the anatomy lesson I received and learned to pluck feathers and pinfeathers. I wasn't forced to watch anything that I didn't want to see, but I was a curious child and 'game' for just about any adventure, even unpleasant ones like butchering.

I see nothing wrong with introducing your children to where their food comes from as long as it is done with sensitivity and respect for all involved.

 

[shortgrass]

I remember being part in slaughter day for chickens, beef and pork when I was 8 or 9 years old. I don't feel anything is wrong with getting children involved, they may grow a better respect for where their food comes from. I know it did for me. I had every step explained to me as to why it was handled the way it was; grandpa was adamant about that. Aside from the before, during and after hygiene involved a clean kill was most important to him, to eliminate suffering of the animal. Although; I might get them involved in later steps at first, not permit them to witness the actual kill, until they have become accustomed to the process a little more.

Good point, the clean kill.... DH has me calm them to help make it easier for him to handle them, I learned hunting, to not let them get scared; adrenaline can ruin the meat, so sometimes I might be a little too "coddly" with them, but keeping it clean and quick is definitely a good point...

I don't think they're ready for the actual act, but they do see feathers and of course, the bodies in baggies...

I was about 8 when my bottle calf got "stored in the deep freeze" ... Lol it did give me a respect for my food, although I was upset for a bit about not knowing that I shouldn't get attached and name him... Norman.. Lol

 

[shortgrass]

I was 7 or 8 yrs old when I first witnessed my parents process chickens for the freezer. I was fastinated with the anatomy lesson I received and learned to pluck feathers and pinfeathers. I wasn't forced to watch anything that I didn't want to see, but I was a curious child and 'game' for just about any adventure, even unpleasant ones like butchering.

I see nothing wrong with introducing your children to where their food comes from as long as it is done with sensitivity and respect for all involved.

Yes, my oldest is like that; she's more interested in how things work...she's a "dead bird poker" ROFL She tells me I'm too sensitive about birds we are getting ready to eat, and then she cries when she finds out that her roos won't be here tomorrow, so I'm taking tiny steps so as not to make her anti-chicken lol... She wants to impress us, and I just want her to not feel pressured to. (I'm overthinking it lol)

 

[microchick]

I can remember my father telling me what would happen when he decapitated the bird but was still shocked/fascinated with the sight of that chicken running around without a head. I can remembering him answering my questions about 'why does it do that?' etc.

I can remember mom pointing out things in the entrails, like unlaid eggs, the crop, liver and even splitting a crop so I could see the pebbles the chicken had swallowed and what it had been eating.

Maybe that was what started me on the path that led to my career choice of being a nurse. Surprised I didn't become a surgeon, LOL.

The only really unpleasant thing I can remember was the smell and I can still remember that to this day, 58 years later.

I haven't helped butcher since then but I imagine I could still muddle my way through the procedure if I had to. Just go slow, explain everything and be patient should they get upset at some point. I remember not being happy with the birds being butchered back then but they told me from the beginning that they were for eating, not keeping and I was alright then.

 

[donrae]

sounds like microchick and I had a similar childhood. I simply grew up with birds being processed. One of my earliest memories is of huge white chickens running around with their heads cut off, and I thought it was hilarious.....but still kinda freaky, right? I don't think most of us literally let our birds run around decapitated anymore

You know your kiddos better than anyone else. If you have one that's a "poke it with a stick" kind, go with that. If you're not overly dramatic about butchering, she'll follow your lead. Be matter of fact, but do feel free to let her know if it upsets you a little. I often still cry some when butchering, my boys are okay with that. Anatomy lessons are great on butchered chickens, as well as discussions on things like body temperature and moisture meeting ambient temp air causing steam. You may choose to skip the actual slaughter for a while, but for most of us once the bird is dead things aren't near so bad. I'd have the older one get involved in picking a recipe for one of the birds, and helping prepare the recipe when you're ready to cook them. A true farm-to-table experience!

 

[shortgrass]

That's cool, microchick.... I try to do the same as your mom, I guess.. I explain every little thing to them and try to nurture any kind of interest they have... The younger one is more of the "herder" and the oldest is the "scientist" lol... Things like that can start a lifetime of love... Or hate lol.

I remember the chickens with no heads, but I was too young to know what they were lol, my mom didnt keep chickens after that.. I was 3 when my sister got one caught in her bike spokes and beheaded it and I didn't eat chicken until I was about 23 I went through a "vegetarian" phase in high school, much to my rancher folks' chagrin ha-ha...

I guess I can let them do what they will; they'll let me know if they're not interested... My oldest is quick to say "no, thanks" when I 'ask' for help mucking the yard lol, they disappear when they don't want to watch

 

[shortgrass]

sounds like microchick and I had a similar childhood. I simply grew up with birds being processed. One of my earliest memories is of huge white chickens running around with their heads cut off, and I thought it was hilarious.....but still kinda freaky, right? I don't think most of us literally let our birds run around decapitated anymore

You know your kiddos better than anyone else. If you have one that's a "poke it with a stick" kind, go with that. If you're not overly dramatic about butchering, she'll follow your lead. Be matter of fact, but do feel free to let her know if it upsets you a little. I often still cry some when butchering, my boys are okay with that. Anatomy lessons are great on butchered chickens, as well as discussions on things like body temperature and moisture meeting ambient temp air causing steam. You may choose to skip the actual slaughter for a while, but for most of us once the bird is dead things aren't near so bad. I'd have the older one get involved in picking a recipe for one of the birds, and helping prepare the recipe when you're ready to cook them. A true farm-to-table experience!

Excellent ideas... She lives to help cook, so recipes are right up her alley... And taking the opportunity to talk food safety, how boiling vs. simmering, both in processing ANS cooking... Really, I think it's unfortunate that most kids these days don't know where an egg comes from, how to make pasta from those eggs, how to can chicken stock... This is about all I can pass on from grandma lol, the GOOD knowledge that comes with livestock. Oh...and learning about the birds and bees....lol no lessons needed, no books