We just off'ed an 18 week old Splash Orp. He tore one of my girls combs trying to mate with her, just rough and terrorizing them. My husband did the deed (his first time). I cannot do the killing part. But I did everything else by myself, once it's dead I have no problem. He's now soaking in the fridge.
I agree on growing up in hunting families making this stuff more normal. After all an animal dies either way, but we're raised that it's not socially acceptable to kill your own food. Neither my DH or I grew up in hunting families, and I think it makes it harder to handle as adults. The first ones we butchered, (step dad did it but showed my how) I was literally shaking. My step dad grew up on a chicken farm and has been a hunter all his life, so no biggie to him. I thought my 6 year old would be traumatized by it, but he responded "yum, I don't want the drumstick." (neither of my kids like the drumsticks, they both want breast meat)
I agree on growing up in hunting families making this stuff more normal. After all an animal dies either way, but we're raised that it's not socially acceptable to kill your own food. Neither my DH or I grew up in hunting families, and I think it makes it harder to handle as adults. The first ones we butchered, (step dad did it but showed my how) I was literally shaking. My step dad grew up on a chicken farm and has been a hunter all his life, so no biggie to him. I thought my 6 year old would be traumatized by it, but he responded "yum, I don't want the drumstick." (neither of my kids like the drumsticks, they both want breast meat)
