Mentally Preparing For Processing Meaties

[Sunny Side Up]

I don't think anyone should get to the point of enjoying the actual killing part, that should always be done with thought, care & consideration. But you can get accustomed to it so it doesn't make you cry so hard you can't see what you're doing. My main concern is that I do a quick & efficient job so that the birds die quickly without pain or stress. And I can get them so calm beforehand that there's very little to NO fuss or protest from the bird.

And you must remember that there will be some reflexive movement after they are dispatched -- where the classic "running around like a chicken with his head cut off" saying comes from -- which is why I use duct tape & zip ties, others use the cones, to keep the movement to a minimum. But that's all from their reflexes, it's not them flapping from pain or fear.

Butchering is never going to be my favorite chore around here, but I do feel proud and satisfied when the job is all over. Remember the movie Cast Away when Tom Hank's character, a former executive, finally made fire just from rubbing sticks together? How he danced around and shouted to the skies "I...made...FIRE! Me!" Well, I don't go around dancing & shouting, but I feel very good knowing I've conquered this basic human survival skill. "I...made...FOOD! Me!"

I am in Palm Beach County, FL and I'm going to be butchering at the end of May, and every couple of weeks throughout the summer. Let me know if you want to come watch, and learn alongside me and my processing pal.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:
I can see me now... "Honey, can we take a vacation to FL this year?" "Why do you want to go to FL, to take the kids to Disney?" "No, I want to go to Palm Beach County and watch someone butcher some meat chickens!" Oh my gosh, my life is getting so sad.

 

[codybird]

Withhold food from yourself for 14 days before processing the chickens.

After day 7 you will actually look forward to butchering day.

 

[agnes_day]

i have 4 roosters that i will be doing in a couple of weeks..they are so pretty and very well behaved but when i bought them, i knew that i would use the boys for meat and the girls for eggs. doesnt make it any easier though, mainly because they are so well behaved.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

It does seem a shame to dispatch such handsome birds, but instead you can just be grateful that your dinner comes wrapped in such attractive packaging!

 

[Deannep36]

This thread has really helped me a lot. Now I know i'm not the only one who feels this way. I love my meaties, but I know i'm going to love the way they taste.