We live in such a different society now. We no longer “have” to butcher to be able to eat. 150 years ago a vast majority of the county had no choice (unless you were rich) and had to butcher and preserve the meat to live. Today we cannot go for an hour without seeing something on TV/video regularly that humanize animals. They talk, have homes, sell insurance, and make movies (yes, Babe, I’m talking to you). We have been steeped in this from our childhood! So, yes, we’re going to have a tough time butchering animals. I have a friend that won’t even shop at Piggly Wiggly because they have signs that offer a “squeal of a deal” and she can’t abide the thought of a pig squealing.
All of this works out wonderfully for the gigantic animal processors that handle our meat. People don’t have to face the reality of the conditions of their meal or even the fact that it once was alive! They just pick a piece out of a case at the store.
Up till three years ago, I was one of those people too. I finally got to move out to the country. We raised and my husband butchered our first batch of meat birds. THIS is when I had to think about why it was so difficult to do this. We hadn’t really thought it would be. There’s the fear of messing this up coupled with the up close & personal taking a life that we’ve NEVER had to do. It can really shake you up.
We are getting to butcher our 3rd batch of meat birds tomorrow. Will it be difficult? The first one, especially. I won’t be able to eat any of the “new” meat for several weeks, burying it in the bottom of the freezer. But we will know that we can provide good, clean food for ourselves and that will make us feel a bit better when we sit down to the table.
One day, we’re hoping to raise pigs. Now those are going to a butcher!
