We processed 4 of our cornish x 30 more to go

[dancingbear]

Your DW is right, you can't process them without killing them. I usually say butcher, because it indicates killing for meat, rather than killing for, oh, pest control, sport, or some other reason.

Many say cull, even though they usually aren't really culling at all, which is the removal of unwanted, unfit, or excess animals or plants. If you raised them for meat, and are butchering when the time is right, they aren't excess, unfit, or unwanted. They are fulfilling the purpose you raised them for, that of being killed for food, as intended all along.

There is a desire to try to make it less harsh or disagreeable. Calling it culling, processing, or harvesting is part of that. I can't help but feel that this is a way of trying to avoid the realities involved in eating meat. It's similar to the idea that meat in the supermarket is somehow separated from the act of killing an animal to get it.

No matter what you call it, you are killing a live creature in order to eat it. And that's ok. We're omnivores. If we take responsibility for our own meat, instead of hiring a hit man to do it for us, that's the cleanest, most honest, and most humane way it can be done.

(Note that I acknowledge those who raise birds for sale as meat are forced by law to use an approved processor. That's not what I'm talking about.)

 

[Acre of Blessings]

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Thanks Acre! I can see blood all day long but I am very sensitive to smells and a weak stomach to some smells.

jackie

I know what you mean when you say "sensitive to smells". I can handle most any smell, but you put me in a room with a rotten potato

and boy, I get so sick to my stomach. But the smell from scalding the birds outside wasn't that bad at all.

 

[Bassleg]

If you don't like the smell put some vicks vaporub under your nose!!

 

[SandraMort]

It's been cold here so I process inside (after killing outside anyway). My vegetarian 7 year old came into the kitchen the first time and said "Wow, there's NOTHING like the smell of a dead wet chicken!" It was pretty funny

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[SandraMort]

I don't know about PC but harvest doesn't seem appropriate for an animal and process (If I understand correctly) involves the whole process from live to freezer ready. Killing is just one step of it.

As for my opinion, thee are animals we are killing to eat. That's just how it goes. If it bothers you, perhaps you might be happier not eating them?

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[Acre of Blessings]

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We butcher them around here

 

[greyfields]

I'm a weeney. I go to a processor to get them processed. There's always a part of me who wants to turn around and let them all free into the wild.... to be eaten by coyotes and die of starvation.

I haven't turned back yet. Chicken meat is too good.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Good job Jackie!! Every culling/harvesting/butchering is a new
experience. I have and old Italian friend who cuts the tongue and
twists the knife. I bet he is pything like you say.

As for the smell many are sensitive to it. I always wear nypril gloves
to keep it off my hands.

The difference in weight baffles me. We usually lose a pound or two
but never as much as you. I suspect your scales are off.

We still have some cornish that must be 15 weeks old by now. They
just look at me and smile when I pass them. Smart birds.

 

[willheveland]

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Might I suggest the word "harvest" or "process" rather than kill?

DW says well kill is what it is, I suppose I'm getting too PC.

I like "process" better too.We kill bugs and varmits,but the food we eat is processed(not with chemicals.we hope).I think it's better for the youngins' and makes you less of a target for anti-s. But to each is own. Will

 

[Southerngirl]

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That's what I use too !! We processed our Cornish X's between 8 and 9 weeks and we skinned them pretty easily. Had some trouble with the wing area and this spring DH is building a Whizbang plucker. Congrats are in order to you for processing your own!!