Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: Just 6 this year Cora, we've decided to do DP now, we'll see how that goes.

 

[Arielle]

Arielle, sorry I misspelled your name!

lol--- no problem on the spelling! Arielle is my first chicken . . . she is about 4 and still laying. Grabbed her tonight to ck and rooster flew at me-- I calmly talked to him and he slowed down and watched me look up her skirts. He a gooood boy.

 

[Arielle]

ps. yeah for the eggs!

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Funny Rooster!

 

[Penny Hen]

I have a rooster to process soon. He is mean. He an I have had go-tos several times (he jumps me). The only reason I haven't done the deed yet is that it wasn't conveniant to my work schedule and I didn't wish to kill him in front of the other chickens.

He jumped me yesterday and I came close to killing him right then. I was shaking and angry and pulling feathers. I released him because I realized I was not in control of my emotions. I will kill him but I want it on my terms not in the throws of an emotional response to his violence.

 

[fisherlady]

I have a rooster to process soon. He is mean. He an I have had go-tos several times (he jumps me). The only reason I haven't done the deed yet is that it wasn't conveniant to my work schedule and I didn't wish to kill him in front of the other chickens.

He jumped me yesterday and I came close to killing him right then. I was shaking and angry and pulling feathers. I released him because I realized I was not in control of my emotions. I will kill him but I want it on my terms not in the throws of an emotional response to his violence.

The rooster wouldn't know the difference but you would.... I think you did the right thing and your reasoning was very clear headed despite the stresses you were under at the time! It will be the right time soon enough and you'll get it done.

 

[Arielle]

I have a rooster to process soon. He is mean. He an I have had go-tos several times (he jumps me). The only reason I haven't done the deed yet is that it wasn't conveniant to my work schedule and I didn't wish to kill him in front of the other chickens.

He jumped me yesterday and I came close to killing him right then. I was shaking and angry and pulling feathers. I released him because I realized I was not in control of my emotions. I will kill him but I want it on my terms not in the throws of an emotional response to his violence.

Can you put him in a dog crate until you can schedule the deed?

 

[Penny Hen]

Can you put him in a dog crate until you can schedule the deed?

Yeah I could do that. I will probably have to snatch him off his roost at night. They free range and roost in an ancient shed at the moment. I am in the middle of remodeling the bird coop.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: might give you a little peace until then

did you read beekissed article on dealing with a naughty rooster?? great techn to show him who is boss.

 

[Bethel3330]

Hi, we just processed 6 Cornish with 9 more to go this weekend. It was hard as I had never deliberately killed a living creature before. After exploring all the youtube video''s and reading here at BYC what really helped was that I had a hen who had a broken leg. I felt very bad for her and after sitting doing some soul searching realized that I would be helping her, by ending her life I ended her suffering. It was hard until I looked at her unable to walk and I knew it was the right thing. I held her for a bit put a rope around her feet, placed her on an old dog run wire and as she hung down there was no struggle just a sad acceptence for us both. I think it was also easier since this breed will die of health complications. This experience has taught me that the knife must be SHARP, they do struggle a bit when placed upside down, and the after "tremors" and "wingflaps" should not be "helped" by your touching of the bird, it brings no comfort for the bird. Don't be afraid to do what you are about to do - don't hesitate- be decisive or the animal suffers. I have trouble with my hands and am weak so I didn't feel the broomstick method would be quick, also eliminated the axe, no way I could "bash it's brain in". So I choose cutting the jugular on both the left and the right side, cutting away from my body. There was not that much blood and I had a garden tote lined with a garbage bag under them, the first hen died in less than 3 seconds! In all the others death occured in less than 5 to 10 seconds (less with a sure hand). I have meat on my table that will nourish my family and animals, I am grateful and thankful. I am also humbled. I will say the anticipation of killing something was actually way worse than the doing, again maybe because I felt I had to do it and an unexpected rain storm allowed no more time for my OCD (CDO for those truly affected, lol) and morbid thinking to kick in to high gear. I also know that I truly will eliminate the need for someone else to kill for me if I do it myself or go vegan... I like meat so I have to do it. To anyone who is about to undertake this - it's okay and you DID it yourself from egg or chick to the table with God watching you harvest his gifts  - God Bless.

well put! Thanks. I hope I can get up the nerve later. One of the biggest reasons I want chickens is because of the inhumane conditions commercial birds are kept in, never mind the question of safety. I really want to raise meat birds for these reasons.