It is Never a job that I look forward to. I get no enjoyment out of butchering my chickens. But I do it in the most humane way I can. With the least amount of fuss and as quickly as possible. If someone enjoyed killing their birds....I would wonder if they were a bit unhinged. I don't believe that any caring owner could honestly say that they look forward to butchering day. I may be wrong but that's how I feel about it. So when the time comes you need to distance you feelings from the task and just get it done. It will make it easier for you and for the birds.I know I am repeating what others have said in the last few posts, but that is okay. I will forgive myself.
Killing a layer is different because even if we plan on killing them "someday" when they stop laying, we do not expect to have to do it soon. We are simply not mentally prepared.
In the past, I have been around to help process my boys. I knew getting into chickens that I would have to accept it. Fisherlady took a few boys throughout the last few years when I was alone, and did not know how to clean the meat (I could break a neck and pluck). When a hen had to be put down, she was buried. My husband could not handle cleaning a "pet". A month ago, a hen broke her leg and was being pecked to death. Thankfully, someone was here that was able to process her for me. I was not "ready" for her to go, and only was able to help pluck a few feathers. It was very hard.
Now that I know how to do everything myself (I am still not a pro, but I can get it done!) I am sure that the next time a hen needs put down, I am going to have to process her. She doesn't deserve to have her life wasted by becoming food for animals and creepy crawly things. I know it will stink having to do it. I know I will not be ready for her to die at my hands. But I will use the unpreparedness to my advantage. I will do it quick before I have time to think, and if it starts to bother me later, she can go in the freezer or to someone else.
Hmmm. Yes, I suppose it will.
Hi there!!! Congrats on getting past the ick factor....I don't know that one ever really gets over that, but I managed to get past it.It gets easier though it never gets pleasant.
Motorcycle chicks are supposed to be tough....this will add to your street cred as a tough lady!
I think the "right age" for processing is between 16 and 20 weeks.
For me the decision is easier, whether I will kill one of my birds or will not....I would never trust anyone else, except maybe my mother, to give them as good a death as I can. I also like to be the one that takes them through their lives from hatch to death, as it's a very personal relationship I have with my flocks....very interdependent, more of a partnership than an ownership. I can't imagine handing them off to a person with whom they are not familiar with for that part of their life, so it's a natural decision for it to be me that takes them out of this life.
