Hello Wednesday! I am an urban hobby farmer with just a few hens. A true city girl, I had no experience with farm animals or growing my own food when I started on this adventure but knew I was very interested in learning all about it.
Because I am only allowed a very few number of hens in my area what do with my non-laying birds is definitely an issue. I am not interested in just having pet birds. After a lot of thought and research I decided to process my first bird last year. (I have done 2 now and plan on continuing as my birds age out) I told my wife going into it that this was either going to make me a vegetarian or a farmer so watch out. I knew that it was not going to be easy and that it would effect me.
Farmer it is. Honestly, it could really have gone either way and the experience did make me think A LOT about the food I eat in a very profound way. I completely understand that it is not something everyone feels comfortable doing but it is something I personally recommend to anyone who eats meat -- even if it just one time.
It was both harder and easier than I expected. It was hard. With the exception of the occasional bathroom spider, I had never killed anything and I do name my birds and talk to them and had had this bird for more than a year. I was very scared of doing something wrong and causing trauma or pain and it took me a long time to work up the nerve. It was intense and sad and I did tear up. (both times and I know it will likely happen the next time too)
The actual physical act and process was easier than I thought and it was sort of surprising how quickly my bird went from living thing to looking like regular food -- I know that sounds sort of stupid but I am not sure how else to explain it. I think for a lot of people there is a really big gap between "animal" and "food" because we only ever eat packaged, pretty, neat meat from bright commercial stores. The connection between what we eat and the living thing that it was is very abstract. When you process your own animal with your own hands it becomes something very real and tangible. I am glad I did it. I feel like I learned a lot of respect. I hope that makes sense.
I respect everyone choice to do or not do this. For me, I choose to do it for a number of reasons. Health (my own and the birds), sustainability and as odd as it may seem a certain zen. I feel no less responsible for the deaths of the animals I buy versus the ones I have killed myself and at the very least I can ensure a good life, a clean, stress-free death and a respectful end with no waste. I also feel very grateful.
Good luck on your chicken journey! If you decide you want to try it in the future PM me and I can send you a really good video.
