I think the main issue here, sixshooter, is where people have raised quail or other animals, as pets ,like a cat, dog, or horse. In my mind an effort should be made not to get attached to animals intended for slaughter. I've had some pretty unconventional pets, so I can understand this and I'm sure I'll get a little attached to my breeder birds. But like Bfrancis said my birds will be seperated into breeders that are ok to get attached to and the birds I'm growing out to sell or butcher.
thats how i have all mine right now as well, One coop of breeders that are my pets and i play with. and another of all pharaoh colors, purely for meat/money/eggs.
i did butcher some today, one bird freaked me out. i guess it was egg laying time, i didn't pay much attention to the time when i was doing it, so as i remove the head and start to peel the skin off...what do i feel....an egg in the body UGH@!!@!@ so i gotta push that sucker out GAH now that was freaky.