Official BYC Poll: What Is Your Perspective On Chickens For Meat

[Weetamoo93]

Short answer: I still eat chicken and PLAN to eat my own.

Long answer:
Back in college, I took a broiler class as an elective. I was an Animal and Dairy Science major, but I loved poultry as well and took a few classes to make up my hours. The class had a project flock we raised from day old chicks til processing. I put in extra time with that flock, not because I was attached, but because I cared, often picking up the slack of classmates who treated it like a chore.

When processing day came, I wasn't dreading it because that's what we'd raised them for. But I was wholly displeased with the process. Even mad. It was so mechanical and impersonal and didn't always seem to function properly, if you catch my drift, because it was a "one-size-fits-most" process. Another student and I were very upset because of this and brought it up to the teacher and staff, but they were oblivious to it.

That was the moment I decided I wanted to raise my own. I knew processing day may be difficult, but I also knew that I wasn't giving up meat due to that experience. I had to prove there was a proper way to do it that respected the animal.

Like others have stated, I want the animal that provides meat for my family to have a good life and one bad moment. I want to know that only the barest minimum of that animal is considered "waste" and properly returned to the earth to nourish new life.

I'm striving for true dual purpose birds, though my first generation of Plymouth Rock hens are laying more like a laying breed. I'd rather my hens extend their laying life over the years than drop as many eggs as physically possible in the first few and my cocks to be alert but not aggressive toward my family. We'll probably end up with a pet or two every so often, but the majority will be retired to the table.

It's a project for certain, but it's my passion.

 

[kaydeetee86]

I’m a lifelong vegetarian. But even if I wasn’t, there is no way I could eat my own birds. They’re as special to me as my cats and dogs.

Eating the first egg weirded me out. Like, I knew exactly where it came from. I love the bird that made it. I felt a little bad for all that hard work her little body did so I could have that egg. My biggest layers are my tiniest birds.

I don’t have any trouble eating the eggs now. I thank my chickens, and keep giving them love and treats in return.

I could never go back to store bought eggs. Not now that I know what amazing creatures chickens are, and what battery hens endure.

 

[BlueBaby]

Currently I have only been eating store bought chicken. I originally bought live chicken's a few year's back when the price of the store bought egg's went up too high. I went with the dual-purpose breed's so that I could get egg's, plus I could always have some meat if the prices went up too high or something else were to happen. I had someone come over here a few year's ago to show me the correct way to cull and butcher them if I ever had to.

 

[Cazook]

I am an omnivore on a low-carb diet.

I eat meat, quite a bit of it. I eat chicken. I ate my "packing peanuts" when they got old enough to be annoying. I ate the in-town flock when they got too old to be productive anymore (retired laying hens make the best possible chicken and dumplings).

I'm looking forward to raising at least one batch of Cornish X this coming year.

Once you've gotten a home-harvested chicken undressed it looks just like a grocery store chicken (though chickens other than Cornish X will be scrawny by comparison).

I've never felt weird about it.

Of course I embarked on the chicken-keeping experience knowing from the first that my chickens are livestock, not pets. Providing the family with food is what they are FOR. If I couldn't eat them I wouldn't have them because providing a retirement home for dozens of elderly laying hens is not feasible on the family budget.

Anyone who has a problem with this would either be a hypocrite or an ethical vegan I think. You are giving the chickens a much better life than they would ever have in a factory farm.

 

[woodworm]

I've been vegetarian (not vegan) the last 16 years but I used to eat store bought chicken before that.

If I still ate meat I wouldn't eat my own chickens as to us they are pets first and foremost. We do appreciate their eggs though.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

I eat and raise my own broilers for the purpose of eating. I have absolutely no problem with eating chicken or eggs. I do have my special birds among the flock that I would never even think about eating, but I know that broilers are brought onto the farm for the purpose of eating. All the animals have a job, and for some chickens, that's dinner.

While eating chicken (or even eggs) do you ever feel weird thinking about what your eating in relation to your own chickens?

I think it's quite interesting actually. I've read so many stories of people who have no clue where food comes from, and it's crazy to me.

I was talking to a friend once, standing out in the pasture. I pointed at the CX, and said "You know what I think is interesting? I look at this bird and see the finished product. I look at a rotisserie chicken and see the feathered bird. There are people who look at a chicken and see just that. A live bird. And those who look at a frozen carcass, and see dinner."
It's an amazing viewpoint to have, and I'm blessed to see both sides of the story.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Today, I bought eight black (presumed americana-type) chickens from the feed store, they were sold as good egg layers, and eight whitish/red/light yellow chickens (presumed cornishcross type) as they called them 'engordo' (fat chickens) that they sell specifically for their rapid growth from chick to the dinner table. I eat both eggs and meat from my own flock and find that I eat more of both when it's from MY flock. They taste better. I know how these birds are handled, cared for, medicated (if needed), nurtured and loved. Yes. Loved. I find that I'm very capable of loving them, even the meat birds. I try to make every single day a great day for them, (except for their last day, and even that day is made to feel the same as all the days before it, including food, water and treats). Many 'farmers' here suggest that you quit feeding them a day or two before harvesting, but I've always thought it cruel and I won't do it. My conscience is worth more than the pennies saved by starving them (and making them worry because they're hungry). I want all of their days filled with fun, adventure, bug hunting in my fully fenced almost-half-acre with ample sunshine AND shade yard, healthy treats in moderation and always with an eye to entertain them as well as give them something new to eat. It truly is possible to both love your flock and eat them.

 

[3KillerBs]

My conscience is worth more than the pennies saved by starving them

The actual reason to cut off food 24 hours before slaughter is to empty the intestines for a more sanitary butchering process. It's not about saving money.

 

[animal and duck lover]

i don’t eat any meat but especially my own. they all have so much personality and love and i couldn’t imagine eating them anymore then a cat or dog.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I eat both chickens I raise, & bought from the store. Chicken consumption has been the same for us, & we like the tastes of our own birds better compared to the store bought ones.

Freshly laid eggs from our birds have been the best, for us. We never had a problem with our eggs. Bonus is we never have to run to the store for eggs anymore .

It's best to know what you're feeding your meat birds, & knowing you raised them with love. When we butcher, I think about all the passion I put into them, to get them to that point.