Yes. We finally took our 65 roasters to be butchered on Saturday. This might seem pretty routine or like something that is not a big deal, but let me tell you, if you had spent most of your summer feeding and watering (non-stop watering) chickens, you would be jumping for joy with me! By last week, those suckers were drinking over 30 gallons of water A DAY! Talk about a backache. This picture is of my hubby and our friend, Kino (I posted about him awhile back) picking up the crates to put the birds into. I'm not going to post any pictures of the actual birds in the crates - then the animal activists will come and butcher me and that doesn't sound like much fun. However, these birds lived the awesome chicken life, man. As much food as they want to eat, water to drink, never penned up, sitting under the shade tree, eating grass & bugs and basically livin' high on the hog........er, chicken?
People always ask us, "how are you able to kill these animals after you become attached?" For us, we try to have the philosophy that certain animals come onto our place strictly for the purpose of eating. Our kids understand this and they don't have a hard time with it. I have never been able to understand people who DON'T become attached to the animals they will eat. Just because we are going to eat them we aren't supposed to treat them well, pet them and spoil them? I always tell the kids, "we are good to them now and they will be good to us later". If you could see me with our pig, you wouldn't believe she is going to be butchered later next week. When she sees me, she comes over to the fence, lays down and rolls on her side so I can scratch her belly. I love her, but we got her specifically so we could raise and eat our own pork and I have no desire to have a 'pet' pig. But she is cute, isn't she?
So, a lot of people would disagree with me, I know, but maybe everyone should get to know and be good to their food animals. In my mind, it makes for a much nicer cycle in the circle of life.
4 comments:
Hi Angie,
I actually ran across your blogs when Google-ing myself. Since my dad and I have the same name...
I haven't had time to read all your posts yet, but I plan to.
I want to thank you for letting my dad hang out with you and your family. Being far away makes it hard to see family as much as we'd like, but knowing that you have become his surrogate family is great to know. He has spoke of your family often so it is nice to finally put faces to names.
Needless to say, I'll check in often. It's much easier to stay in touch via computer, but since dad doesn't have one, I have to try via other people.
Also, thank you for the eggs. Both me and my wife, Sharon, get stomachaches after eating the store-bought ones with all the antibiotics.
Talk with you soon,
Toshi
Wow - this is a surprise, Toshi. I'm still a little confused as to how you found me - I 'googled' your dad and didn't find any reference to me! I have to say it caught me a little 'off-guard' - but that's the chance you take with the Internet, huh?
Ironically, you are the only one who knows about this blog, my family is not even aware I write it - it is somewhat just an outlet for me.
As for your dad, we feel fortunate to have him in our life. He is a joy to have around and we have learned more from him than we can say. Although he seems to have many surrogate families between Jody, Kim, Sloan and others........
It was good to finally meet you. We have heard a lot about you and your family. Thank you for all your help with our chickens. Not exactly the way I would want to spend my time while visiting, but your help was much appreciated.
If you come again with your wife and kids, we would love to meet them too.
If you ever need to get in touch with me, you can always email me at threesistersorganics@gmail.com too.
Thanks for contacting me and we will talk soon.
Wow I continue to be amazed at the life you live. Its great what you do!
I agree with your animal philosophy completely! I started raising my own chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese etc. because I wanted to understand the whole "cycle of life" and know what went into the meat I ate. Doing the butchering myself really taught me to value every piece of meat! I'm not raising animals anymore, but I have a much higher appreciation for the meat I eat now. I miss having fresh eggs all the time!!! I may have to get a few chickens again.
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