I think you need to do it yourself first and get comfortable with the process that way you know what your getting into and if you run into a problem they don't have to see it. You need to be calm cool and efficient when you do it with your kids. Id explain why you can't keep the extra roos and that you don't want their passing to go to waste. They probably played with them as chicks and have watched them being raised up and never thought they'd be without them let alone you processing them and consuming them.
Then you need to get some specific chickens to raise as MEAT birds. Meaties, a couple of DPs or even something as simple as some sex linked layer roos it needs to be a clear and deliberate decision. Something that you can readily identify as the freezer bound birds. Id start out with at most a half dozen. Nothing crazy just keep it simple. You explain from day one that these birds are being raised as food for the family and that it. They need to understand that concept first. You don't name them, don't play with them as chicks. Sure you can see them and touch them but only when doing chores and you keep your interaction to a minimum. They get fed, refill the waterers and we go on with our other chores. You need to create that kind of detachment first with them so when those birds are processed its not a big deal. Then when you get more chicks either ones you bred or ordered you explain that if they end up being roos they'll be food just like the previous birds were raised as food. They have to grasp the concept before you can expect them not to be mad or hopefully want to help.
And while doing that you can explain and show them when you have the birds processed out how they look like the stuff in the freezer or at the store. They'll make the connection. Then take it from there and go with it.
Then you need to get some specific chickens to raise as MEAT birds. Meaties, a couple of DPs or even something as simple as some sex linked layer roos it needs to be a clear and deliberate decision. Something that you can readily identify as the freezer bound birds. Id start out with at most a half dozen. Nothing crazy just keep it simple. You explain from day one that these birds are being raised as food for the family and that it. They need to understand that concept first. You don't name them, don't play with them as chicks. Sure you can see them and touch them but only when doing chores and you keep your interaction to a minimum. They get fed, refill the waterers and we go on with our other chores. You need to create that kind of detachment first with them so when those birds are processed its not a big deal. Then when you get more chicks either ones you bred or ordered you explain that if they end up being roos they'll be food just like the previous birds were raised as food. They have to grasp the concept before you can expect them not to be mad or hopefully want to help.
And while doing that you can explain and show them when you have the birds processed out how they look like the stuff in the freezer or at the store. They'll make the connection. Then take it from there and go with it.
