Tomorrow is supposed to be his last day.....

[Jamie Molihan]

 

[bobbi-j]

I know that this is hard to read, and I know that it is hard to fathom why some people do certain things in certain ways. I am not upset by the ones on here begging for me to spare his life, I understand, because I want to so badly. This morning went I went out to give them their goodmorning and look them all over to make sure everyone was in good health and spirits not only was Enchilada having a hard time walking but when I turned him over to check his belly and feet I noticed that he is wheezing and breathing so heavy. Of course I broke down like a baby. As for why I decided to raise a bird was because I am moving to two acres of land to live off grid and I thought that I might want to raise meat birds and eggers to help sustain me. I have never taken a life on purpose, I have never really done anything that wasn’t modern consumerism. I don’t want to spend a bunch of money on animals that I don’t know for sure I will be able to keep healthy and cull for food or if something bad happens. I am envious of anyone who, just knows, they can do it; I don’t. So from the emotional safety of my urban environment (for whatthat it is worth) I decided to try it. If I could, then great I can go forward with my plan, if I can’t then I need a different plan. As for getting attached..well, I am and that sucks, but I get attached to everything. Another point to make about Enchilada and his life is this; when my dad had cancer we learned about something called quality of life. We had to watch my dad battle to be alive with chemo until the doctors decided to tell us that we were at a point when duration of life was now passing the quality of life. I had to sit next to my dad and administer medication that would ease his pain until his disease killed him. I am telling you that was a life lesson that was hard to learn. Now I know this is just a chicken and not my dad, but watching Enchilada not have a quality life just because I can’t do what needs to be done for him doesn’t sit well in my heart. So tomorrow....I will, as gently as I can, process him. Or at least that is the plan. Again, I thank everyone on here for their support, their kindness, and for being here with me as I go through this. It means more than I can say.

There is nothing wrong with raising a bird for meat. I also learned the hard way not to name or get attached to my food (my lesson was learned with a steer named Buford). If you're going to live off the grid and eat meat, you're either going to have to learn how to hunt, or how to process animals you raise. I've been raising chickens for meat and eggs for over 30 years. Processing day has never gotten easy for me. Now, I do have the bonus of having a DH that was raised on the farm, so processing chickens was just something you did. He dispatches them, and after that it's easier for me. It's the turning a live chicken into a dead one that I struggle with. I would do it if I had to, but am blessed to not be in that position at this time.

Jamie, I give you credit for looking out for your chicken's quality of life, rather than thinking of yourself and avoiding doing something "hard". If you do decide to raise chickens for meat in the future (when you are on your acreage), I would suggest Red Rangers (or some other "Ranger" type of bird). They are good foragers, and not quite as prone to health issues as the Cornish X.

Also, I think it's great that you're trying it first to see if this is a good fit for you. Let us know how it goes tomorrow, and it's OK to shed a tear or two. Even for "just a chicken".

 

[chickendreams24]

I know that this is hard to read, and I know that it is hard to fathom why some people do certain things in certain ways. I am not upset by the ones on here begging for me to spare his life, I understand, because I want to so badly. This morning went I went out to give them their goodmorning and look them all over to make sure everyone was in good health and spirits not only was Enchilada having a hard time walking but when I turned him over to check his belly and feet I noticed that he is wheezing and breathing so heavy. Of course I broke down like a baby. As for why I decided to raise a bird was because I am moving to two acres of land to live off grid and I thought that I might want to raise meat birds and eggers to help sustain me. I have never taken a life on purpose, I have never really done anything that wasn’t modern consumerism. I don’t want to spend a bunch of money on animals that I don’t know for sure I will be able to keep healthy and cull for food or if something bad happens. I am envious of anyone who, just knows, they can do it; I don’t. So from the emotional safety of my urban environment (for whatthat it is worth) I decided to try it. If I could, then great I can go forward with my plan, if I can’t then I need a different plan. As for getting attached..well, I am and that sucks, but I get attached to everything. Another point to make about Enchilada and his life is this; when my dad had cancer we learned about something called quality of life. We had to watch my dad battle to be alive with chemo until the doctors decided to tell us that we were at a point when duration of life was now passing the quality of life. I had to sit next to my dad and administer medication that would ease his pain until his disease killed him. I am telling you that was a life lesson that was hard to learn. Now I know this is just a chicken and not my dad, but watching Enchilada not have a quality life just because I can’t do what needs to be done for him doesn’t sit well in my heart. So tomorrow....I will, as gently as I can, process him. Or at least that is the plan. Again, I thank everyone on here for their support, their kindness, and for being here with me as I go through this. It means more than I can say.

I just want to add to the sea of people wishing you the strength and courage to not only follow through with your plan, but to give Enchilada an easy end.

We all have to go one day. Everything dies. The greatest we can hope for is to go without knowing we are going. You can do that for Enchilada. We know you can.

Good luck, and remember that somewhere in the world, someone is most likely thinking of you at that moment.

There is nothing wrong with raising a bird for meat. I also learned the hard way not to name or get attached to my food (my lesson was learned with a steer named Buford). If you're going to live off the grid and eat meat, you're either going to have to learn how to hunt, or how to process animals you raise. I've been raising chickens for meat and eggs for over 30 years. Processing day has never gotten easy for me. Now, I do have the bonus of having a DH that was raised on the farm, so processing chickens was just something you did. He dispatches them, and after that it's easier for me. It's the turning a live chicken into a dead one that I struggle with. I would do it if I had to, but am blessed to not be in that position at this time.

Jamie, I give you credit for looking out for your chicken's quality of life, rather than thinking of yourself and avoiding doing something "hard". If you do decide to raise chickens for meat in the future (when you are on your acreage), I would suggest Red Rangers (or some other "Ranger" type of bird). They are good foragers, and not quite as prone to health issues as the Cornish X.

Also, I think it's great that you're trying it first to see if this is a good fit for you. Let us know how it goes tomorrow, and it's OK to shed a tear or two. Even for "just a chicken".

Hi guys. Wow this thread has become something hasn't it. Everyone has such strong opinions and I understand that. I also very very much understand what you said Jamie about your Dad. Just before last Thanksgiving I spent the last days he had in this world by my Grandpa's bedside. He had a 15 year struggle with Alzheimer's and his body just couldn't fight anymore. We were able to keep him home until the last 2.5 years. I spent over 4 years after high school living with and helping my mother care for my Grandma and Grandpa full time. Grandpa with his Alzheimer's, Grandma with dementia. Feeding my Grandpa the last thing he ever ate in this world and giving him his last drink. Using a small sponge to wet his lips and mouth. Rolling him, helping change him. It's given me a new perspective on life and on death. We had some amazing years with Grandpa. He was my Dad a million times more than my real Dad he would never let me down on purpose. I had wanted him to walk me down the aisle and that will never happen.

I learned so much from him even up to his last breath I was learning.

I have also worked in a no kill private animal shelter and I have held dieing cats in my arms and told them through my tears that it's okay to go.

In the end we all had to take turns saying our goodbyes to Grandpa and telling him that it was okay to go home.

I've said it to pets that we've had to euthanize because of cancer.

Death can be a horror there's no doubt about that but more often I think it can be a release, a kindness.

If you find you want to try again I would recommend doing more than one at time and explore your options Cornish cross, rangers, heritage meat breeds.

I also want to point out that I disagree with those who said don't let your meat animals trust you. I care about all of our birds. Yes even those headed to freezer camp. If one gets injured or picked on they receive the best care we can give while they're not pets(some of our chickens are) we want to be able to handle them without too much stress. Again stress makes the process harder on the bird. Not just that but if treating an injury in an animal you don't want it thinking you're a danger. Yes I try to distance myself emotionally from them but it's not always easy.

 

[featherhead007]

To defend myself, I had no intention of making anyone feel guilty about their conduct regarding their animals! Moreover I didn't even know the condition of that poor bird.
As for me, I won't cull, kill, euthanize, or how ever you want to put it, any beloved pets.
And I don't eat chicken.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

Hi guys. Wow this thread has become something hasn't it. Everyone has such strong opinions and I understand that. I also very very much understand what you said Jamie about your Dad. Just before last Thanksgiving I spent the last days he had in this world by my Grandpa's bedside. He had a 15 year struggle with Alzheimer's and his body just couldn't fight anymore. We were able to keep him home until the last 2.5 years. I spent over 4 years after high school living with and helping my mother care for my Grandma and Grandpa full time. Grandpa with his Alzheimer's, Grandma with dementia. Feeding my Grandpa the last thing he ever ate in this world and giving him his last drink. Using a small sponge to wet his lips and mouth. Rolling him, helping change him. It's given me a new perspective on life and on death. We had some amazing years with Grandpa. He was my Dad a million times more than my real Dad he would never let me down on purpose. I had wanted him to walk me down the aisle and that will never happen.

I learned so much from him even up to his last breath I was learning.

I have also worked in a no kill private animal shelter and I have held dieing cats in my arms and told them through my tears that it's okay to go.

In the end we all had to take turns saying our goodbyes to Grandpa and telling him that it was okay to go home.

I've said it to pets that we've had to euthanize because of cancer.

Death can be a horror there's doubt about that but more often I think it can be a release, a kindness.

If you find you want to try again I would recommend doing more than one at time and explore your options Cornish cross, rangers, heritage meat breeds.

I also want to point out that I disagree with those who said don't let your meat animals trust you. I care about all of our birds. Yes even those headed to freezer camp. If one gets injured or picked on they receive the best care we can give while they're not pets(some of our chickens are) we want to be able to handle them without too much stress. Again stress makes the process harder on the bird. Not just that but if treating an injury in an animal you don't want it thinking you're a danger. Yes I try to distance myself emotionally from them but it's not always easy.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

To defend myself, I had no intention of making anyone feel guilty about their conduct regarding their animals! Moreover I didn't even know the condition of that poor bird.
As for me, I won't cull, kill, euthanize, or how ever you want to put it, any beloved pets.
And I don't eat chicken.

I know you didn’t, it’s ok. I understand where you are coming from and I respect your hard line on this issue. This doesn’t seem to be a topic that has much grey area. My daughter in law is like you, she is a vegetarian and is having a very hard time with this. She will be at her moms house with my son tomorrow so she doesn’t have to be a part of this. You didn’t hurt my feelings so please don’t feel bad. I will be doing an update on how tomorrow goes, for me and Enchilada, so you may not want to read anymore after this so you are not hurt by it. I know I am supposed to be detaching myself but I can’t. I care about him even though he isn’t a pet. I will bring him in the house tonight and give him a bath (he just loves to soak in the tub) and cuddle him up. I hope that you have a good night and take care dear.

 

[microchick]

@Jamie Molihan

Last week I had to put down a much loved hen. She was suffering from Ocular Marek's, had gone blind completely and had stopped eating..I promised her I would not let her starve to death and had hand fed her for weeks until I couldn't get her to eat from my hand any longer. I knew it was time.

No, it wasn't easy at all. Not the first I've had to put down so they don't suffer and she won't be the last. You would think that as a retired nurse who has dealt with death her whole career, it wouldn't be so upsetting but I bawled like a baby.

For the majority of us, it never gets easy. That's okay. It shouldn't. But rest assured, you are giving Enchilada the last gift of love you can so that he doesn't suffer and that you have let his little soul fly free in the end.

God bless.

 

[featherhead007]

I know you didn’t, it’s ok. I understand where you are coming from and I respect your hard line on this issue. This doesn’t seem to be a topic that has much grey area. My daughter in law is like you, she is a vegetarian and is having a very hard time with this. She will be at her moms house with my son tomorrow so she doesn’t have to be a part of this. You didn’t hurt my feelings so please don’t feel bad. I will be doing an update on how tomorrow goes, for me and Enchilada, so you may not want to read anymore after this so you are not hurt by it. I know I am supposed to be detaching myself but I can’t. I care about him even though he isn’t a pet. I will bring him in the house tonight and give him a bath (he just loves to soak in the tub) and cuddle him up. I hope that you have a good night and take care dear.

You too, but that want makes me kinda tearful, Good by Enchilada

 

[Jamie Molihan]

Hi guys. Wow this thread has become something hasn't it. Everyone has such strong opinions and I understand that. I also very very much understand what you said Jamie about your Dad. Just before last Thanksgiving I spent the last days he had in this world by my Grandpa's bedside. He had a 15 year struggle with Alzheimer's and his body just couldn't fight anymore. We were able to keep him home until the last 2.5 years. I spent over 4 years after high school living with and helping my mother care for my Grandma and Grandpa full time. Grandpa with his Alzheimer's, Grandma with dementia. Feeding my Grandpa the last thing he ever ate in this world and giving him his last drink. Using a small sponge to wet his lips and mouth. Rolling him, helping change him. It's given me a new perspective on life and on death. We had some amazing years with Grandpa. He was my Dad a million times more than my real Dad he would never let me down on purpose. I had wanted him to walk me down the aisle and that will never happen.

I learned so much from him even up to his last breath I was learning.

I have also worked in a no kill private animal shelter and I have held dieing cats in my arms and told them through my tears that it's okay to go.

In the end we all had to take turns saying our goodbyes to Grandpa and telling him that it was okay to go home.

I've said it to pets that we've had to euthanize because of cancer.

Death can be a horror there's doubt about that but more often I think it can be a release, a kindness.

If you find you want to try again I would recommend doing more than one at time and explore your options Cornish cross, rangers, heritage meat breeds.

I also want to point out that I disagree with those who said don't let your meat animals trust you. I care about all of our birds. Yes even those headed to freezer camp. If one gets injured or picked on they receive the best care we can give while they're not pets(some of our chickens are) we want to be able to handle them without too much stress. Again stress makes the process harder on the bird. Not just that but if treating an injury in an animal you don't want it thinking you're a danger. Yes I try to distance myself emotionally from them but it's not always easy.

It really has. I did not expect that. I am so sorry about your grandpa, it was very brave and loving to do that kind of work and stay close to him through all of that. I think the hard truth is that most people can’t do what you did. I don’t know if I am the kind of person that can compartmentalize. I care very much for my chickens, I am proud of them, I even talk to them, so I am going to either be able to do it anyway...or not and I have to figure that out before I have a bunch of birds that are neglected and left to die of illness and injury. I think that you are right about the breed, if this goes ok then once I move to my land I will look at heritage birds or the Rangers.

 

[featherhead007]

@JamieMolihan

Last week I had to put down a much loved hen. She was suffering from Ocular Marek's, had gone blind completely and had stopped eating..I promised her I would not let her starve to death and had hand fed her for weeks until I couldn't get her to eat from my hand any longer. I knew it was time.

No, it wasn't easy at all. Not the first I've had to put down so they don't suffer and she won't be the last. You would think that as a retired nurse who has dealt with death her whole career, it would be so upsetting but I bawled like a baby.

For the majority of us, it never gets easy. That's okay. It shouldn't. But rest assured, you are giving Enchilada the last gift of love you can so that he doesn't suffer and that you have let his little soul fly free in the end.

God bless.

Try being a retired US Marshal, we cry too! Just don't tell anyone! God Bless as well!