Before I got my first chicks I knew I wanted dual purpose birds. In a playful argument with my parents, I told them I'd have no problem culling any, and they said I'd never be able to do it. I thought sure I can! It means food for the table...besides, there just gonna be chickens. It's not like I'd be killing a beloved pet, like my dog.
Then I got the chicks.
The babies are now almost 9 weeks old and out in their permanent home. I raised them from a day old. Held them, cuddled them, spoiled them...and realized that, to me, they ARE like beloved pets. Even after realizing I had 4 cockerels instead of 1, and that three of them would end up in the freezer, I still love them and spoil them rotten. How in the world am I going to be able to kill any of them?
Then one bit me.
Last night I went out to shut the run door for the night. They were all lined up on the roost, waiting for their "dinner" (I used it as a bribe to get them in the coop at night, and now it's routine...it's their mash concoction I make which is just their chick start with some yogurt and unsweetened applesauce). All but one jumped off the roost and tore into it. The lone cockerel still up on the roost kept talking to me, looking for a way to jump down to get his share. So I helped him down. And he drew blood.
I have never had a problem handling my chicks. Sure, some of them squawk and fuss when I pick them up, but after the initial "touch", they calm right down. This cockerel (Boring Boy) bit me so hard that I actually cried out...and he didn't. let. go. I tried pulling the skin of my hand out of his beak but it hurt even worse. So I turned the little thing upside down and flicked his beak with my other hand. He finally let go, and I was bleeding.
Guess who's first in line for the chopping block?
Yep. This guy.
And I don't think I'm gonna have any trouble doing it.
Then I got the chicks.
The babies are now almost 9 weeks old and out in their permanent home. I raised them from a day old. Held them, cuddled them, spoiled them...and realized that, to me, they ARE like beloved pets. Even after realizing I had 4 cockerels instead of 1, and that three of them would end up in the freezer, I still love them and spoil them rotten. How in the world am I going to be able to kill any of them?
Then one bit me.
Last night I went out to shut the run door for the night. They were all lined up on the roost, waiting for their "dinner" (I used it as a bribe to get them in the coop at night, and now it's routine...it's their mash concoction I make which is just their chick start with some yogurt and unsweetened applesauce). All but one jumped off the roost and tore into it. The lone cockerel still up on the roost kept talking to me, looking for a way to jump down to get his share. So I helped him down. And he drew blood.
I have never had a problem handling my chicks. Sure, some of them squawk and fuss when I pick them up, but after the initial "touch", they calm right down. This cockerel (Boring Boy) bit me so hard that I actually cried out...and he didn't. let. go. I tried pulling the skin of my hand out of his beak but it hurt even worse. So I turned the little thing upside down and flicked his beak with my other hand. He finally let go, and I was bleeding.
Guess who's first in line for the chopping block?
Yep. This guy.
And I don't think I'm gonna have any trouble doing it.
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