My Chickens are not Pets!

[TheMainException]

Quote:
I kinda agree with you there. I do think we were meant to care for the planet, but I do think everything is here for us ALL (animals included) to use. Should we eat animals? We don't necessarily have to, but animals eat animals, so I consider it to be okay when seen in that aspect. When I'm raising animals, I'm serving them. I watch over them and protect them from predators not just because I purchased them and would like to consume their eggs, but also because I feel responsible for their safety. I don't consider them as equals, but I'm not sure they are soul-less either.

 

[TheMainException]

repost.

 

[stanglover2001]

I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a chicken out of city limits to be butchered and then bringing it back home to eat. I think the law is just protecting those who want to butcher from the prosecution of neighbors, because you may have no problem with the killing and blood etc. But your neighbor may have a different belief (think along the lines of animal rights and violence) and may not appreciate if they're kid catches a glance of someone slitting a throat on a chicken and blood squirting out. Just remember how people are now, they want a reason to sue and you just have to be careful when it comes to butchering and that may be why the city does not allow it (people live within spitting distance most of the time). And remember blood is now considered VIOLENT in video games... enough said.
This is how I feel the city looks upon it, and the above is my guess is to why it'd make sense.
Just remember there are reasons why some of us live in the country and others in the city. I myself live in the country but I still let my closest neighbor know when I'm butchering because she doesn't want her kids to see, though she has no problem eating the eggs or chickens I sale to her. Its not that shes against killing and doesn't understand where the meat came from, SHE just can't stand the killing part and doesn't want to see it.

 

[Barry1963]

I butchered two of my reds today, they had names and lived a good life. I treated them very well, they free ranged, listened to me play the fiddle and would jump in my lap and eat out of my hand. I kept their pen and coop clean, fresh straw for their nest box and clean pine shavings regular.I always knew the time would come when I'd butcher them and never lost site of that, but it was no reason to not treat them well while they were alive.

If someone wants to raise them as pets, thats your choice and I respect that. They are YOUR chickens and you do as you see fit. I would have to believe that most, maybe even all of the folks here at backyard chickens treat their birds exceptionally well. If you care enough to join a forum dedicated to raising chickens, then I'd have to believe they'd raise them right.

 

[CowboyColby]

Some of your "pets" might look mighty tasty if someting bad happened and you couldn't get to the grocery store for a few weeks. Why do I have chickens? 1. I like a change from beef every now and then 2. My horses cost to much to eat them 3. I doubt my dogs would taste good 4. I love meat 5. There are only so many recipes for cats

 

[Finn's Mom]

Quote:

Actually, you are right about the grocery store. It's great we have the choice, isn't it.

 

[bywaterdog]

There is room on earth for all gods creatures,


right next to the mashed potatoes.

 

[Lorije1]

My chickens are strictly pets. I won't say "there is no way" or "I could never..." , because if it came down to me or them, they would be dispatched quickly and compassionately. Growing up we would have a steer and raise it for slaughter - parents made us name them "Hamburger" "Tbone" and "sirloin" so there was no question. I remember seeing my dad wring necks of over crowded roosters - but we never ate those (my mom said she didn't know if she'd get hungry enough to pluck a chicken).

After hurricane Ivan we were cut off from the rest of the region - storm surge took out the interstate going East, Gulf of Mexico is our south border, to the west another bridge down for inspection and to the north highways covered in trees (and various mobile home sections). Fortunately it was only a few days before we could get relief from the north and west... but it was over 3 weeks before we had power. Yeah, I 'could' butcher my chickens -but for now I will enjoy their eggs (well, when they get old enough to lay

).

 

[Beekissed]

Chickens are food, not friends...say it with me, Brucey!!!!

I find it interesting that we live in a world where people are getting more and more closed off from humanity by choice and by technology but try to make an animal as simple and dumb as a chicken a substitute for human companionship.

Reach out people...get off your couch, turn off the TV, go visit someone...sit on their front porch and really connect with a human. Actually SEE them....not wait to see what they can do for you.

Animals are very convenient substitutes for relationships with humans....they require little thought or work to make the relationship work. You pet them only when you feel like it, feed them and care for them, but you really don't have to listen to their problems or commit to being a friend.

Its sort of like Facebook....you only check in when you have something to say and you can keep your friends on a page until you feel like "connecting" or "sharing".

Pet the animals, feed the animals, watch the animals....then you can get back to watching the TV. See? Its easy to have animals for friends. Way too much work to actually form bonds and relationships with your family, real people in your neighborhood, etc.

I really like having chickens and its nice to see their beauty on the green grass, to see, feel and taste their rich eggs, to watch little chicks running after mama. I get it. Chickens are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and senses.....but not as equals to humans. They are nutritious food for the masses. Why is it that no other birds~other than a few duck species~ lay eggs on and on all year?

Chickens are a food source, folks. Not friends that can comfort you when you are down, give you a place to stay if you have none, come to the hospital and hold your hand when you are scared, give you a lift when your car dies along the highway, be glad that you were born, babysit your kids, clean your house if you are too ill, help you through a divorce or death, hug you when your world drops out from under you.

Show me the chicken that can offer that and I will call it friend.

 

[dawg53]

To each their own.