Just boxed 12 hens for the butcher... I feel awful

[Davaroo]

They HAVE had very happy free-range lives -- I don't think a bird could have a happier life than here since I let them go anywhere and do anything they want on this farm. I may find homes for about 5 or 6 more nearby. As much as I love them, I know I need to accept the inevitable and move forward with downsizing.

You've done as much as any one, or any chicken can expect. Take heart.​

 

[chickenannie]

Thanks everyone for your words... I'm trying to be very "conscious" in ALL my actions, which means I have to acknowledge my feelings about these hens. I did take the hens to the butcher this morning. Funny thing is, once I handed them over to him, I wasn't sad anymore, but it was just a practical matter after that. Picking up the box of stew hens for the freezer an hour later just felt like shopping at the store, even though I had raised them. When I came home, I was glad I had gone through with it.

Bionic, what you said is really true -- I would buy chicken off the grocery shelf without thinking about it, especially in the form of soup or as frozen chicken nuggets or as filling in a chicken taco -- yet that was a life too.

And these hens had a great life weighed against one (very) bad day. It was helpful hearing your stories that living into old age does not necessarily make a hen's life better, and death lies at the end anyways. Thanks for the supportiveness everyone. We are hear to support each other in our chicken ventures and BYC does a great job at that.

I'm feeling ok about it now.

Those of you who asked about a butcher -- I heard of this guy through word of mouth. There's a lot of custom butchers in this area because its rural. I would suggest you look up farms that sell chicken in your area at www.eatwild.com (put in your zip code) and then call the farm and ask them if they know any custom butchers.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[greyfields]

Remember that your hens were in the top 2% of birds in the US simply by being able to enjoy sun, having felt grass under their feet and having scratched at the earth. They were immensely lucky to have had you.

 

[chickenannie]

Thanks greyfields. That is such a sad statistic, too....

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Aww I could not do it either! I told my hubby NO meat chickens...and only chickens for laying eggs. I KNOW I would cry my eyes out and have the dumb things for eternity! LOL Just know that you gave them a REALLY good life compared to what they could have had! YOu did good! They were happy healthy chickens and they did not have the life of a confined chicken.

 

[cjeanean]

I would have to do the butchering myself, that way I know that it's done right. Also, to save the chickens the experience of going to some strange place after living years at another. I know they are food, but they're still life, and I would like to see them dealt with in a clean and humane way, in life and in death. Good luck with your next butcher!!!