My chickens.....my friends??? Pics of my meat friends on pg. 13

[Farmfresh]

People say the same about folks who hunt,..."How can you shoot Bambi?" I say,"Very easy,..aim,..fire."

I hate it when people equate my food with a Disney character

Funny they never have a problem setting out traps or poison when a little "Mickey or Minnie" run across their kitchen counters.

 

[Farmfresh]

My animals are pets but I have no illusions....they would all eat me in a heartbeat if I dropped dead in the pen. Even the cats would. Actually, I have one cat that may just settle for me in a sound sleep....

Boy ain't THAT the truth!

I really doubt MY friends would eat me if I got a little out of line or annoyed them, but through a newbie that is younger or smaller into an established flock of hens and they will make a meal out of him or her. They are not too concerned with a "quick and painless death" either. I had one poor bird that his companions completely gutted while he was still alive!!! He was actually walking around hollowed out. All because the other hens decided to start picking at him, since he was new and although he tried to hide and run away they continued to pursue.

Personally I don't need friends who behave like that.

 

[rebecca100]

I am glad I wasn't there. I think they would have all ended up on the block if I had seen that. I had muscovies maim, kill, and eat baby rabbits before but never had the chickens kill another, even though I know it is common. i don't think people really understand how animals can be. Male polar bears kill baby polar bears, rabbits eat their own young, and so on, animals can be very cruel, even cats play with their food while it is still alive. Yet we are put under fire for killing and eating an animal that we took care of and fed and protected and gave a good life and painless death.

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Personally I believe it is due to our "pet driven" society. I mean look at how people treat their cats and dogs nowdays,...like human children in some cases. Any and all animals are just that,..animals,..and I believe we all have forgotten that to a degree.

 

[Farmfresh]

Personally I believe it is due to our "pet driven" society. I mean look at how people treat their cats and dogs nowdays,...like human children in some cases. Any and all animals are just that,..animals,..and I believe we all have forgotten that to a degree.

I agree.

Human life is far more valuable than that of an animal. Yet you hear stories of a dog that maimed a child or we had some near us that actually killed an older man, and people are up in arms about anyone who suggests those dogs be destroyed.

They do not want to destroy truly dangerous animals, but then they change laws to restrict all animals to ridiculous levels to "help with public safety". Example: In our area pit bulls are now banned. Old existing dogs cost $100 each a year to license, and must be DOUBLE collared and leashed, with a steel muzzle on and the owner with them whenever they go outside!!! Some of these dogs have been family pets for years with no troubles. Screwy world we live in.

 

[dragonlaurel]

I'm a vegetarian. My husband is not. We intend to get some livestock when we can get the land for it and already discussed this. I will get a small flock of mostly "dual purpose" breeds.
Broody hens can set and raise babies, until we have as many chickens as we can handle. Roosters will be "Mike's flock" (meat birds). We'll keep a rooster with the girls when its hot enough for chicks, but if a roo' gets an attitude with us- he loses his breeding rights and wont be kept around ... Hens that don't do their job will also join "Mikes Flock".

I will take care of the hen house, dairy goats, etc. All animals get good living conditions while they are with us, but hubby can tend the meat animals, so I don't get attached to them. I wont be crazy about butchering days, but he's got a good heart, so I know he'll make it as fast and painless as possible. He wont tell me the butchering details, and I wont tell him details about things he gets yucked out about.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

I had one poor bird that his companions completely gutted while he was still alive!!!

a very wise woman i know once said "its a chicken eat chicken world"



DL - good for you for trying something new!! and while the butchering days may be hard you can strengthen yourself by practicing deep gratitude... and if you need courage you can come and get it from us. but i'm bettin' at the end of the day you'll be standing there saying "golly that just wasnt what i thought it would be"... and you still dont have to eat it. you'll be too full from all that delightful goat cheese!

speakin' of... i need to get cleaned up and go and give my gals The Squeeze!

 

[bibliophile birds]

speakin' of... i need to get cleaned up and go and give my gals The Squeeze!

you know you are in the company of farmers when someone needs to "get cleaned up" to milk the goats........

 

[Blackbird]

speakin' of... i need to get cleaned up and go and give my gals The Squeeze!

you know you are in the company of farmers when someone needs to "get cleaned up" to milk the goats........

 

[SKR8PN]

Personally I believe it is due to our "pet driven" society. I mean look at how people treat their cats and dogs nowdays,...like human children in some cases. Any and all animals are just that,..animals,..and I believe we all have forgotten that to a degree.

That is very true. The Wife and I have three dogs that live in the house with us, and we consider them our "children", BUT, I still don't hesitate to drop and gut a deer for dinner She even helps in the processing of said deer.
Now,feral cats and stray/wild dogs, don't have a very long life span around here, specially when they start messing with my laying hens OR our family dogs.
I always try to give the benefit of the doubt, by hollering VERY loudly and try to run them off. If they refuse to leave, and they persist in attempting to do bad things to MY critters, they die. Plain and simple. I had a stray Shepard try to harass the hens this A.M. I gave him a good hollering, and he left like someone lit a firecracker under his arse. Smart dog. I had the Taurus Judge in my back pocket, just in case......