Would/do you kill a chicken to eat?

[Pepperwolfe]

I helped my dad with rabbits, chickens, deer, squirrel, ground hog, etc. But that was when I was little. We had to. Dad couldn't work he was diaabled and Mom had to stay home and keep an eye on us kids and him. It was part of farm life. Now that we have chickens again and with the news talking about recall this recall that in our food.
I'm sure I can do it again. I just hope I still have the stomach for it.

 

[al6517]

Yes I do process some of my chickens that I raise for that purpose. Chickens, Turkeys, and Quail. i do it quick and humane I am very adept at processing and have no problems with it at all. They also taste very very good and are a healthier alternative for my family.

AL

 

[ninjapoodles]

I haven't been able to do the deed myself yet (though I do intend to), but I'm right there when my husband does it. I'll admit, it's hard for me. The chickens are easier than the turkeys, because he can pith a chicken in a way that causes instant "lights out" before cutting the jugular, so the chicken isn't aware of dying. But we have not been that successful with pithing turkeys--not yet, anyway. And that first turkey we processed just about broke my heart. Didn't stop me from eating it later, but man, it was rough.

 

[stormylady]

This is a good question. Could i kill and process my own chickens? Well when I decided to get chickens in the first place a deciding factor was the ecomomy and the way food was raised and processed,. I fully plan to use the chickens for food mostly roos and meat birds, The layers I don't really think I could unless My family was starving in which case theres really no choice in the matter. Im looking at processing 5 light brahma roos right now and I have stayed clear of naming them for that reason. I am keeping one little boy (honeycomb).because he is the best little cuddlier ever!
So the answer is yes I could and do plan to but haven't yet, and the time is coming fast when I will have to cross that milestone in my life. I specifically picked breeds that could be used as dual purpose. Sandy

 

[birdsofparadise]

Iʻm a card carrying member of PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals!

But I find it much more frustrating and difficult to catch my dinner than kill it. Now, I just take my .22 out to the chicken yard and take a single head shot. Instant, clean kill and I donʻt have to waste calories chasing the bird or ruining the meat with the adrenalin rush that happens with stressed birds. The rest of the flock squawks for a couple of moments, but then go on as if nothing happened.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

One thing I think is interesting (and I am NOT trying to be rude) is how so many have said their layers are their pets but they would eat them if their family was hungry. I wouldn't. They are family, too. I would find a way to feed my family AND my pets.....from any meat birds I might have, and from what nature provides. There will never be a time I can't go out and hunt down an animal of some kind....even wild dogs and feral cats would become fair game in dire circumstances. Squirrel is really yummy, too.

Once I have named an animal and made it part of the family, the only way it will be killed is if it is suffering.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Hi I just wanted to say one thing about the comment you made about eating laying hens.
One is that if I or my family is starving then it is a pretty good bet that my chicks will also be starving or become feral. which pretty much makes then fair game correct? Also my cat is an outdoor cat most of the time, and is skiddish around strangers so in most peoples mind that would make them appear feral correct? My dogs all have been loose at one time or another (accidents) so how would you know if they were loose or lost pets or wild dogs? All of my pets have names though you would not know that so? . There all my family and no I would not eat any one of them. The other question is why would you eat animals like that when you know you have healthy, and by that disease free chickens in your own back yard, when you have no Idea what a so called feral animal has. Im not trying to start anything either just trying to figure out your reasoning?

Sandy
hope i worded this right

 

[PotterWatch]

If my kids were starving, I would even cook the family dog. I would never put a pet above my family, name or not.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I tend to consider wild game safe.....many do. So, using your reasoning, wouldn't it be unsafe to eat a deer? And no, my point was, I would find a way to feed my hens as well as my family, so they wouldn't be hungry. chickens eat meat, too, and grass is free. Trust me, when you have large packs of wild dogs, you KNOW they are not someone's pet. A person who has lived in an area for any amount of time tends to know which animals are spoken for and which ones are not. I know I do in my area. And again, there is plenty of wild game with lots of healthy, hormone free meat. Good, safe food for my family and my animals. The bones could even be crushed for the calcium needs of the hens because even OLD birds will lay eggs now and then.

I just don't see a reason to eat something that I care about when there are plenty of other choices.

 

[h_musick]

I think it would take a while... but i could do it...maybe. BUT I DON'T WANT TO!!! haha!
I just don't think i could kill one of the hens.