Suggestions, Help or Insight??

[nmred]

I would just put them in the freezer for a while until they forget who/what they were and then slip them into a meal and not say anything to the kids. I got this idea from a book on raising rabbits for meat. The author says they put their rabbits into the freezer until they forget who it was. It then becomes anonymous meat and no one thinks about it.

With our kids we also found it helpful to make it clear from the beginning (way in the beginning--before we even ordered) that these were food birds, not pets. No holding and playing with the chicks, no naming, etc. This is totally different than how we handle (literally) our layers. Those we try to handle as much as possible so they will be tamer.

The first couple of birds it is a little hard. But after that it becomes "normal" and you just don't think about it...until you eat them all up and have to buy store bought. Then you can't wait to get the next batch going so you can eat "real chicken" again!

 

[Jacky'sMamma]

Thanks nmred, that sounds like a plan! : )

 

[ninjapoodles]

When our 5 year old daughter was playing with the fuzzy baby chicks, we reminded her that, down the road, the extra roosters were going to be food. We asked her if she'd be able to eat these chickens that she was taking care of. To our surprise, she didn't hesitate--she pointed out one chick, and said, "I'm gonna eat THAT one!"

Since then, she's tickled us on several occasions when we've overheard her talking to the cockerels, saying things like, "You guys better watch out. Only two of you are gonna live, you know."

 

[Jacky'sMamma]

Quote:
<giggle> Too cute! ::UPDATE:: One of the boys had turned to the dark side and said they he would, indeed, be willing to try them! Only two more to go...

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

I agree mental prep is the best way. Tell them from the start like you are that some birds will simply be for meat. I would encourage them to understand that the factory food is hormone and antibiotic treated so they are not as healthy to eat as what you can produce yourself. I would not however go so far as to give them the video tour of some farms, not all that stuff on the net is truthful, nor will it promote healthy eating, it's all against eating meat period.

Don't force them to care for the birds but don't let them bond either, start small in numbers and leave them rest in the freezer a bit. Just use them as you would any chicken you buy now at first, don't make a big production of the deal like roast one whole with the announcement it was home grown. Basically don't rub it in. I converted hubby by doing the cuts of chicken that he liked from the store, skinless boneless breasts and thighs, and keeping the rest for soups, stews and precooking it for pasta dishes or casseroles. He got over the idea when he admitted that they do taste better, and sending him some links to the nutritional information on grass feed birds over grain fed sealed the deal. Now I can cook any way I want, and he is a huge supporter. He sees the freezer getting half low he tells me I better get chicks!

He used to have nothing to do with them, could not even see them now he helps care for them, builds pens and runs and does fencing to maximize their range. Give it time but don't push, I think force is counterproductive. I did however eat a few meals alone, like suggested serve it up and if they don't eat their loss. They can find their own dinner or go hungry. I did not accommodate hubby in his decisions to not eat home grown, no cooking 2 meals just so he can duck out. Also I did not buy any store bought chicken either, so the nights he cooked he had to face up to it as well, or serve vegies. Mostly he cooked chicken that somehow did not look like it at all anymore, like a stir fry where it's chopped up fine. He had the option of beef until we got that going here at home too, but now that's another face up for him.