My last post on this topic, I swear.

[LadyFunnyFarm]

The trick for me is that I don't name them. I love them, I treat them well, and I know from the get-go what I intend to do with them.

You are just fine, whatever you choose to do. My SIL cannot eat hers, but she names them. You are obviously a giving and loving person who has a lot to give your animals. It's a very personal choice what you do with your animals and what you can sleep with. I sleep just fine, but that's me. Whatever choice you make will be right for you, and that's all that matters.

 

[Dogfish]

Even when I cull I place the bird in the cone, slit, and walk away. By the time I have the water heated up, the bird is done. No fuss, a little mess.

 

[Tiffrz-N-Kidz]

I was where you are about this time last year. AND... I processed my first batch on Thursday! Other than feeling a bit - well - odd that I was the one driving them to the processing place, what I felt mostly was accomplishment over producing my own meat. It was like the day we got our first egg, realizing that all that time and feed and care paid off!

I do have to agree that naming them is a huge no-no. The birds we raised for meat were called names like "Curry", "Kiev" or "Cordon Bleu" and referred to collectively as "the mcnuggets". If anyone asked their name my response was always, "It doesn't have a name, it's not a pet. It's going to be dinner soon." The response I got was usually something along the line of "Gross!" or "How can you do that?" Standard response from me, "Where do you think the chicken in the store comes from? *pointing* Yeah, one of THOSE. They call it CHICKEN for a reason." *smiling*

And it's not a simple thing, it's the modification of a lifelong mindset. The people of my generation and socioeconomic strata get their food at a supermarket. Period, that's what we've always done. Change is hard. Bravo for you for even PEEKING outside the box, that's a step few have taken and you are brave to do it. But it's not a do or die thing. Do it when you are ready, or has been said, give it a go and if you choose not to follow through, sell them on Craigslist or give them away. Or barter a skill you possess with someone who raises them for you. There are many right answers, you will have to find the one that is right for you.

 

[halo]

I didnt think I could do it either. Tractor Supply got Cornish X chicks in a few months ago, and on the spur of the moment, I bought a few. Ive raised them up with my other chicks, and they roam their little free range area with the other ones. They dont roam as far, but they do go out, pick grass, waddle around, and even come running for treats.

I processed the first one this morning. I silently gave thanks, hung him, cut his throat, went about my other farm chores, came back when he was done bleeding out, and brought him in the house. I just finished processing him, gave the back and neck to the puppies, and ended up with 4.8 pounds of lovely chicken breasts, legs, and thighs.

I guess the turning point for me was making myself realize what goes into putting those chickens in plastic containers in Publix, and what went into my chicken parts now resting in the fridge. I feel its important to know where you food came from. Too many people think that chicken just shows up on their plate, and dont want to know, and dont care to know.

Now that Ive done one (I have one more to do), I think I will get some more to raise this fall. I can live with the fact that this chicken had a good and fun life, with no trauma, no stress, just a good chicken life. And I can live with the fact that he went from outside playing to resting in my fridge in an hour, so I know exactly where my food came from and what went into it.

Now the final challenge will be if I can cook it properly.

 

[Buster52]

Joel Salatin likes to say his birds have a great life. They just have one bad day.

 

[rarely bored]

My solution to these feelings is to find someone who will do the actual 'deed,' then help with the rest of the processing, and in thanks, he can take some birds home to his family.

 

[Mrs. K]

It helps if it is your attitude from the get go, I raised a clutch last year, and 5 were roos, they were all barred and looked alike, I knew from the beginning it was going to be me, and I just began distancing me from those birds, they were not pets. The pullets, I thought of differently.

The first is the hardest, and what surprised me, was it was NOT THAT HARD, rather scary that it was so easy. It was the worry before hand that was hard.

Mrs.K

 

[GJ_Kate]

We did our first 12 this morning. My DH and 8 yo son actually did the deed, scalded and plucked (although it wasn't a great job of plucking!) then I had the lovely job of gutting. I went to a friends house yesterday to learn how which helped a TON.
Once I got them, they didn't look like a "pet" anymore, they looked like a supermarket chicken. Gutting wasn't fun, but I feel good about what I've learned and what I can do now!
We ended up with 9 whole chickens ranging from 2.5 to 4 lbs and a bag with 4 lbs of legs, thighs and breasts.

FYI: MAKE SURE YOU GET THE WATER TEMP AT 145!!!!!!!! Hubby didn't even look at it and he cooked the first bird and then next several, the skin ripped when plucking.

Good luck, if I can do it, YOU CAN!

 

[Saltysteele]

if you do it right, they will feel nothing. chickens have no souls, one second the lights on, the next the lights off.


grab the head, firm grip on the head and knife, firm motion and it's over before they felt anything

 

[mommas_got_peeps]

Quote:
Ick... so cold .....I am really wanting to process my own but I will have to pray about this a little more