Wanting to raise chickens.

[Sylvynn]

Hi all!

I've been wanting to raise chickens for a while now and before I make a big commitment, I'd like to ask for some advice. Mostly I want to raise them for the eggs, but I was thinking about the meat aspect of it as well. There's only one real snag...I cannot bring myself to kill them. I'd much rather go out and spend my money on pre-packaged meat. Is there some way I can get around this by asking a butcher or fellow farmer or something?

I guess what I'm asking is has anyone had this mindset or have some sort of arrangement like this that I know it's even possible?

Thanks.

[mattemma04]

I have read of people having friends process the birds.There are some who use the services of amish families.Not sure on the fees charged. I could not kill either even though I watched it many times spending my summers in a small hungarian town.If you go to BYC I bet you could find some fellow chicken farmers that are local to you.

[Tizzy]

We take ours to a local processor and I've said on here before that it's totally worth it to me. DH didn't agree until he did two turkeys. Then reality hit, and that was only two! Now he looks at our flocks of meat birds (30-50 at a time, 3 lots per year) and sees just how many feathers need to be plucked

Unless it's medically necessary, I just can't bring myself to kill a chicken. So this works well for us. And if we have any layers that need to go (egg eaters, non-producers etc.) I just leave them until they can go with the meat roosters. I'm sure that's not the most financially sound idea but it's what I'm most comfortable with.

[Sylvynn]

Thank you all for your advice and making me feel like I'm not the only one in the world. I don't think I could ever really bring myself to kill my own chickens...It's nice to know that I have some options.

[newbymom05]

I have the same question although on a much smaller scale. I'd like to get some hens for my suburban back yard, but only want them as long as they produce. I think I could kill a hen, but ugh, no way do I want to process them. So what do suburban flock owners do? Keep them for their natural life span as a pet?

[MrsJewelsRae]

I definitely will not be killing my own birds, we will be bringing them to an abattoir. According to my friend who had chickens in this area, you cage them up and drop them off with pertinent info and then you pick them up- killed and cleaned- for only $2 a bird! I'd check and see if you have an abattoir in your area.

[newbymom05]

Originally Posted by MrsJewelsRae

I definitely will not be killing my own birds, we will be bringing them to an abattoir. According to my friend who had chickens in this area, you cage them up and drop them off with pertinent info and then you pick them up- killed and cleaned- for only $2 a bird! I'd check and see if you have an abattoir in your area.

Thanks for that info!