When our chickens get old

[RocketDad]

Don't name livestock, and don't eat pets.

A Lieutenant in my National Guard unit told me a sad, horrible story about a lamb she named "Fuzzy" when she was 5. They lived on a working ranch, and her dad felt the need for her to learn a lesson. After dinner one day she went to go feed the lamb, couldn't find it, and her dad told her "that was our dinner."

My wife and kids and I talked about it, and decided that our legal hens, named, will not be eaten. But we've also talked about raising a box of chicks some year that don't get named, and only leave the garage to go to the chest freezer.

 

[thebigroo]

I totaly agree with Rocketdad. I raised rabbits years ago and named them. I then raised rabbitts to sell and eat. I never named any of the for sale rabbits but still felt guilty when I did eat some of the for sale rabbits. Rabbit is very good and does not taste gamey at all. I would raise rabbitsnow to eat but the wife would raise the roof. She had a pet rabbit for about 10 years and we were dating at the time. I have ask about raising rabbits several times and got a NO.

 

[Dar]

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[RioLindoAz]

My two gals stoped producing about 6 months ago. I kinda feel they eat less now that their done laying.

I still plan to keep them though.

 

[chicknjane]

I made certain that only those chickens I'm going to keep forever and ever and ever got names. The others who are meat or replacement hens, are refered to generally as meat or hen. Unfortunately, I named 16. I don't plan on having more than 50 at any one time so, I'm hoping that I don't fall in love with any more. I've been able to keep myself detached enough to designate those for processing. And even gave away three pullets who were not particularly nice to my preschoolers. They were the only three who ever pecked at my kids. One even pecked at my son's ear. In her defense, my son's ears do stick quite a bit. I thought it a waste to cull three beautiful layers before they laid their first eggs, so I passed them on to someone I knew didn't have little fingers, noses and ears that could get pecked.

Just remember some are pets the rest are a food source.

 

[The Zoo]

My hens will live with me until they die a natural death. I'm certainly not going to reward all their hard work and effort with the chopping block.

realized that sounded snotty. I have great respect for people who raise and slaughter their own food - I couldn't do it myself (plus I'm a vegetarian) but I think it's the best way to do things versus feed lots and mass market meat.

 

[rainbowgardens]

I wanted a steady supply of eggs so I have to cull and replace. I get year round quality eggs and some meat for the table. The downside is I have to kill and process them.

You just decide what you need to do, based on your needs, and then follow through. The most important thing is to give them a quality life, and in the end, a merciful death.

 

[Chickenmaven]

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Thank you for sharing that story. There are quite a few of us - who are carnivores with dear, pet chickens - that might benefit from this perspective. I could not clean or "process" anything other than a fish. Could I have old hens "go away" and come "back home" ready for the table, who knows? I suppose I have time to ponder that...

 

[thebigroo]

Thank you for sharing that story. There are quite a few of us - who are carnivores with dear, pet chickens - that might benefit from this perspective. I could not clean or "process" anything other than a fish. Could I have old hens "go away" and come "back home" ready for the table, who knows? I suppose I have time to ponder that...


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That's a great way of putting it going away and coming home ready for the table. Franado is a good friend and he is trying to teach me some spanish. I get the best of everything. He is a good guy and he is a Legal if anyone is wondering. He thinks everyone should do as he did and do it the right way. He has been in the USA for over 25 years and I have known him for about 5 years. He also helps me when I need a hand around my home. I have a bad back and a he is a great friend to lean on.

 

[momreda]

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I felt the same way about eating the eggs! We did butcher 3 of our Roos and have decided that it is not for us. I can't imagine doing it to the girls that I truly do adore.