You took my question! Awesome! It's like winning the lottery only instead of money I get THE KNOWLEDGE THAT RABBITS DIED BECAUSE OF ME. But seriously thank you very much for all the practical advice about butchering and your thoughts behind it. I also really enjoyed hearing your philosophical points about death being part of the universe and human life being worth more than animal life. I have always believed that killing animals is something that should have some deep thought behind it. Every (normal) person has such a deep revulsion towards death and killing that you can’t just brush it off with “well I’m hungry and stuff dies anyway.” And that just proves the point that human life is unique and worth more than animal life. Animals have no qualms about killing each other. The cat positively delights in torturing the mouse. Only humans think it’s wrong to cause death and suffering - hence our talk of “humane” treatment of animals. The fact that we all feel this way says a lot about mankind having a special place in God’s creation, and I think it also gives us a hint that one day, difficult though it may be to imagine, there will be a world without death. But I digress. For the present there is death, and also bacon (and we may hope the later may somehow exist when the former is done away with). I’m going to take your advice and start on the path of butchering with fish. Hopefully I can then work my way up to chickens and then, one day when I’ve got the nerve, on to ducks! Thanks again for the great video. I will most certainly come back and let you know (through my tears) how butchering my first animal went. -Keith A.
Humans are the only animals who fully worry about death and the death of things around. It's a modern misconception as part of the cult of Gaia mostly by dis-informed people who have no real connection to nature but try to impose their righteousness that we should worship the earth and everything in it. Respect, yes. Idolize, no.
Can I also recommend looking up the farmstead Meatsmith's page here on UA-cam. He's a butcher that has lots of helpful videos and advice on the mentality and philosophy behind killing animals for food.
You two compliment each other so well when discussing a sensitive/tough topic like this. Austin gives great comparisons and K is blunt/to the point yet gentle and nice with the delivery of the facts.
I think the death of the meat you consume should not be easy. I've killed many many animals, none have been easy. I take no enjoyment out of it. I don't kill for sport, don't kill for the wall hanging. I kill to survive and knowing that when I raise them a look at them as sustaining my life. I am great full and sad. It makes me waist less meat knowing I took it's life. You get used to it but it's easier. I am a pellet gun user when dispatching rabbits.
This was I credibly helpful,thank you so much! My husband has just been learning to butcher these last few months. He had a couple lessons butchering someone else's sheep, and just over the weekend he finally did our first sheep from our own paddock. I helped, and as much as there was nothing happy about it, I was so thankful for how quickly it happened and how the sheep was just quickly taken from grazing to death...not herded in a truck and traumatized w hundreds of others at the works. Proud of my husband, who doesn't delight in hurting anything...but he did a good job and now we have our own meat that we raised in our freezer!
I completely understand this. I grew up on a farm and have been a hunter my whole life, yet it’s still (at 35 years old) is the hardest thing I do in life!
We named our first calf, who was destined to end up in our freezer, Wienerschnitzel. Half Jersey, half Hereford, the meat was delicious, but we sent her to a butcher and got back packages for the freezer. Second calf was named Steak Diane.
I was lucky, the first time I did the actual "killing cut" was on a chicken I had to dispatch for mercy. the next 4 were roosters from a friend so I wasnt emotionally invested and after that its been just roosters from my own flock who were excess. so I got a good ease into it. My friends are all a bit shocked I can do it all by myself as a 28yr old female, but they are city kids and that's never been me.
When we do it ourselves, we have more control over the humanity of the process. A lot of commercial farming facilities are no necessarily as humanity as what we attempt to do it on our own farms because of the difference in perspective. I watched a homesteading video one day regarding butchering meat chickens and she talked about how humanely these birds were handled and what a wonderful life they lived out on the range pecking at dirt and bugs and doing all the things day in and day out and then they have one bad day.
I made a delicious rabbit stew for myself today as a mother who can't be with her son and grandchildren in the US on Mother's Day. It was delicious btw. Also, rabbit if raised well is a very healthy animal to eat. Here in Italy, rabbit is a popular meat.
Have you ever thought about the feelings of all the animals you ate up till today. Imagine you being separated up with your families and end up on someone's plate.
I'm raising ducks. I bought a kiddie pool for them and the cashier said " I hope they are pets." I responded that the breeding pairs were treated like pets, but the eggs I hatch will be for meat." She gasped ," you're going to KILL them ?!" I kinda blinked and responded without thinking." That does seem more humane than cooking them alive." LOL. So far I haven't killed any because mine are pretty and people are buying them, which is nice, too. But I do deal with issues over killing soft, furry bunnies. I'm afraid I'll have nightmares.
Living Traditions Homestead has an easier way to kill rabbits, also it a series Processing rabbits for meat, episode 8 killing the rabbit, ( Kevin and Sarah) take a look
I am trying to talk my hubby into getting meat rabbits. I think I will have him watch this video. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this subject!
Austin This is great! I just butchered my first goat yesterday! I was excited and nervous. It was so much easier than I expected. I think we will be raising our own meat from now on! Thanks for all the advice!
I was thinking about how I worded this comment and just wanted to clarify. When I say it was easier than I expected I don’t mean the dispatching part. I had to really prepare myself for that. But the actual butchering part wasn’t as hard as I had imagined. Going to another farm to learn on an animal you aren’t familiar with is great advice. That’s exactly what we did.
Wow. It's actually really helpful to find out it always hurts inside when killing an animal. I don't know if I would have ever conemplated doing this without this video
thanks for this. I don't have any animals yet, but I've been wanting to get into homesteading/farming so I've been thinking about this for a bit. I really love that your channel exists. Love ya'll
Great vid. I am an animal lover. Recently I started out with quail. Getting ready for rabbits. Im in an urban city. You told exactly how I feel. Gotta separate pet..from food.
I have never killed an animal in my life and I had to look for something that gives more understand about killing for food. The way you explained everything helped. This is also the first video I came across. Thank you very much. Going to look more into your channel! Keep up the good work!
I'm hunter and I'm on your side agree 100 % it a way of life and it the same way when you get food from the store first kill the animal to get the meat to survive so have food on the table
Having jumped out of a plane, the process was made easier by having an experienced skydiver with me (tandem jumping.) I think having someone who has done this before, like you suggested, would make it somewhat easier the first time. (As someone who is trying to figure out how I'm going to do this myself in the future.)
@@Homesteadyshow It is a whole lot of feelings in a short period of time. It was exhilarating. It's feels like about thirty seconds of rushing wind, cold, and adrenaline. And then, you feel this catch, as your parachute opens. Then, there was this period of floating, where you get to contemplate everything below you and question your sanity for having done it.
GREAT VIDEO- Austin and Kay- next week we will be butchering our 2nd flock of meatbirds. " Start with Cornish Cross-they're a ticking time bomb"....Hilarious. A couple of weeks ago I had to dispatch a 1+yr old rooster from our layer flock and it was soooo different from cornish cross. It took forever for him to go as it was not a good 1st cut- so I had to make another on the other side that did not work either- so much tougher. My hubby had to come and finish it for me. When you were talking about mistakes my daughter gave me a hug because she new it was hard for me. What you said made me feel better. And its good that my daughters are listening to this in preparation. Hoping next week goes better. You never do get over it ...just get thru it. That's why we start with a prayer. Thanks for all of the thought you both put into your videos.
This couldn't have come at a better time. We just started raising meat chickens and wanted to butcher ourselves, but we're nervous having to actually...kill them.
I always feel raw and shaken after I butcher. I don't even like having to feed the roaches I raise to my exotics and birds. It doesn't really matter how much I understand that it's not my call, this is how nature works, I'm still am empathetic human and I don't have to like this part of my dream of being a homesteader. Just try to be understanding and love yourself, it really sucks but you're not doing anything wrong.
You took on this topic so well. This is always how I've felt about killing and harvesting. In our area we have people who hunt just for the antlers or the head and leave the body behind; whenever we see that it's just sad. It seems completely pointless to end that life. When our children have unfortunately seen we do get to explain the difference between just killing for sport and killing for survival and food.
The question you raise is a great one. I raised Quail summer before and last year raised two batches of Cornish cross chickens. I have not done “the deed” as I’m scared too. I have cleaned though. I knew when raising the goal. It was a huge eye opener for me on the true farm to table movement and my appreciation for life that is given was heightened. Plus the fact I knew what h they ate and how they were raised gave me solace. Still took me weeks to eat my first chicken but second batch I did cook one fresh.
As a person who is a bit of a flexible vegetarian (I don’t buy meat or fish, but will occasionally eat it with friends or family), I completely really respect people who raise and butcher their own animals or hunt for their food. People are disassociated with the concept of life and death and act like it’s more “morally righteous” to buy meat that has been killed by someone else. I feel people who raised animals or harvested a wild animal (unless they do it for the thrill of the kill) have a greater respect for life than all of us. I know the food and products I buy have involved both animal and human suffering, and I hope someday I can have my own homestead to enjoy the work of my own labour and not someone else’s. I completely respect what you are doing and I hope more people watch your video and get off their hypocritical butts.
Everything you said mirrors exactly how it goes for me and how I feel through the whole process. Mental preparation is so very important, because in order to get through it, you have to be honest with yourself about what to expect and walk yourself through each step. Thank the animal for what they are about to give you, and if you are religious, say a little prayer for a quick, clean death. That being said, every time I process a quail or chicken, I am shaking like a leaf by the end of the first cut. I eventually want to get pigs and maybe even meat sheep once I find a larger homestead than my current 1/3 acre lot. Hopefully, before I get to the butcher stage on any larger animals, I can find a butcher class somewhat close by.
This was a very needed video and so comforting, even to someone that has been doing it for years!!! I will watch it again when I need support!!! Thanks!!!!
Thanking God and the animal for the gift we are given gives us the strength to harvest our food, despite our tears. We just processed 5 cockerels last week.
Wow dude. I'm with you 100%. Great video. Only animals I've slaughtered so far are fish. It's a little sad every time. Part of me has felt it's weird that as a society many folks will never slaughter the animals that they consume. Something's missing and it's not the delight of slaughtering. I think it's a deeper level of appreciation for food and the purpose it serves.
Thanks for the link to watch. I appreciated the personal impact and struggle. I have watched similar presentations and think I can. However, now I know I can because my hesitation is respect for life. All part of the circle.
Thank you for sharing the link! I've done everything at home myself from quail to cows. No its never easy. I have to admit rabbits - UGH- I can't bring myself. Wild rabbit no problem. What bothered me most was the "kill methods" others had shown me. This was much less stressful and now feel I could do this.
I agree wild is easier, I don't even think about it. I would scout the prey, report back to my hunter boys and prep everything and have it all set. They would hang it out back and bring to me for final butchering and clean up. No issues with that, but I do prefer fish.
The work of harvesting the animal helps to "resolve" the action to cull. It makes you much more grateful and appreciative of this, and no, you will NOT throw meat away anymore. I would even say it has a spiritual component to it, it is a good experience for those who do the work. I was very apprehensive and did not want to do it, but i decided to learn the skill and it has changed my appreciation for meat.
I’m a new subscriber I’ve been binging on Homesteady vids. My husband and I are city slickers from Houston we have recently moved to North Texas for my husband’s job and bought 14 aces!!! We believe it’s all God’s plan for us because we’ve always wanted to provide as much food for our family as we can like your last baby our last one is allergic to everything and has serious eczema and asthma. I was raised with a pet bunny rabbit and I have to realize like you said “for us to live something had to die” it’s all part of why God placed us high in the order. Please pray for our progress.
Hey Austin- I broomstick them myself. It's easier without the head on the broom. The other thing is since you have a family member who does metalwork you should try to see if they can rig you up a rabbit wringer. It's easier on your back and easier on the rabbit since they are not likely to try to scamper or explore. It also makes for a cleaner carcass up on the neck/shoulders.
I’m with you there, I expose my children to the realities of where our food comes from, we produce our own meat & as many vegetables as we can on our homestead therefor they know the entire process of everything from start to finish.
LOL - no, the first thing you learn when skydiving is....how to land safely....from old Army nurse who used to put soldiers back together after they landed wrong....before they ever got into a parachute.... PLF - parachute landfall.
I literally got a PETA ad in this video talking about rabbits being used for experiments and how we should not experiment with them, eat, wear or use for our entertainment. Not the best ad given the circumstances hahaha
Born with purpose dies with purpose. Everything,including people, are truly lucky and blessed to experience life at all short or long life. No need to complicate
My daddy was my butcher buddy lol the first year I did our own chickens my dad came and helped now he grew up in this life so he's a pro but I felt so much better with him there .. now I can do it by myself and sometimes my husband does as well ... my first rabbit however was a disaster ... I thought I had a good plan and didn't . ... after I was finished I went inside and ordered a hopper popper and have not have another bad day butchering rabbits again ..... the right tools are everything y'all get them.
****LONG COMMENT**** I got into breeding meat rabbits this year… and before I even had my first kits to even grow out, I had to make the decision to mercy cull one of my beautiful breeding does… she hadn’t even been bred yet, but came to me just two months ago…. With a slight head tilt I noticed right away… so I checked ears and immediately began the treatment for mite in my entire herd… 10 rabbits…. Yeah I guess I started ambitiously… but in fairness, my entire setup including rabbits, cafes, carriers, hay and feed, (to start) was a gift. I did name all of my buns, and this one was Margot. I figured if these were my breeders, I wouldn’t be harvesting them, and treat your animals well, after all, they are going to take care of you, in return… Margot was sweet but I think only because her tilt got so bad after numerous failed attempts to make it better, that she got used to my what became hours daily with her in my arms trying to care for her, console her, medicate etc… now I am with my rabbits about 50% of my waking hours so just thought I would throw that in there… this was the first time I had ever ever killed anything more than a bug. Not even a fish. I have watched many hours of “harvesting” videos and I knew that I couldn’t just put her down, I needed to inspect her organs for the safety of my herd… my husband, a one time hunter (meaning hasn’t hunted in years now) had me do the killing, not realizing I needed to do a postmortem on her. I called him out to help me and his method was not at all like I had watched and at first I was a bit traumatized… then again, I wasn’t ready to process animals at our home, I didn’t have a single thing set up for that yet, and still was deciding on if I would outsource the processing or if I wanted to take it on myself…. It is determined with my very limited knowledge that Margot’s head tilt was from a stroke, and not from E.C. Quite possibly from the trip down to Florida from Pennsylvania… It’s only been a few days since Margot’s departure, and I do miss her and wish I could have found someone in my area who took in disabled animals but I wasn’t able to and after the last time I held her, this time for more than an hour, she pushed up against me and gave me the look. I told her when she was ready, to give me a sign, and I felt it deep within me, that this was it. I used the broomstick method, and with head tilt it didn’t go exactly to plan, but I quickly adjusted and before I knew it, it was over. I wanted to save her fur, but I didn’t have any alumn, (sp) and I only have two mini fridges so no freezer space to put her hide in… again, I don’t even have kits yet so I still have time to get the freezer from down south. All things in time I’m sure of that. Best advice I can give to my long heart wrenching story is, yes it was hard. The right thing to do, but still hard. If it doesn’t affect you, yes you may need to see someone about that… on the other hand, knowing I am giving my animals the best care, the best food for them, taking care of them, so they will take care of me, is worth so much more now having that peace of mind that good for my family is safe and good for us. Thank you so so much for making this video, and all the others you make. I have enjoyed watching you grow in the short time that I have found your channel and watching from your earlier postings. Gods peace and continued blessings to you and your family!
Those comments about Disney are so true. My kids didn't watch television until they were 6. When they were 7 and 9 they stayed a weekend with their former nanny in her village. When I picked them up they proudly told me how they helped butchering 2 chickens. They are braver than I am...... Or less brainwashed. I am close to buying farm land so I guess soon I will have to face life's realities.
Thanks for this video, I can tell that from your face that youre having a hard time "before getting it done". I have just bought some land, started planting this spring, there will come a time, I will do this too... you gave me some courage and something to prepare for..
I pray over my rabbits before I kill them, that the Lord will help them to die quickly and pain free. My dad taught me how to dispatch and harvest. Great video
We got our first turkey this year. About a month ago I saw my daughter in the yard taking a selfie with the turkey. She said she knows its got to die, but now she may not want to eat it. Next batch I will have a conversation about not making friends with the turkey.
I'm a Vegan dude coming here to nit pick things about killing animals. But honestly, I found it refreshing listening and interesting about your thought process when killing and harvesting. Obviously,I still dont agree with killing animals for food, and sure there's things i would disagree with you on. Thank you for the insight.
I just found your channel about an hour ago, it was a recommendation from one of Lumnah Acres videos, and I absolutely love your videos. It was crazy because I was doing some research on raising rabbit colonies and there was video on the horror of rabbit colonies. The videos I've seen so far are so informative, you hit the topics I've been looking for and tiptoe on the subjects. I have a family of 4 that includes two small children so it's also amazing to see young kids on the homestead. We hope in the next couple years to be able to transition into a homestead. We've already taken the first steps and have started gardening over the summer. Perhaps our first mistake is that we just recently got two rabbits with thoughts of eventually raising meat rabbits. We already see them more as pets than breeders so we'll probably have to get different rabbits with the mentality "these are our breeders and their offspring will go towards feeding our family". Me and my husband both have doubts on whether we'd be able to "cull" rabbits we've raised but this video has helped me immensely. Especially when you mentioned butching fish, it reminded me that I've done that in the past and made me feel more confident that we'd be able to do this when it came time. Thank you!
When I was young I hunted squirrels and fished. Had no problems. I would turn them into good food. A little older and I had to put down a dying pet with a shot to the head. That killed me. Later in life I hit a deer on my way home from work. That killed me. I turned it into food, though I still felt bad about hitting it. I know it would have died anyways but at the time I couldn't shake it. To some degree I still can't. I think your words are going to help me when I begin my homesteading journey. I also have to thank Keith for asking this question because it shows me that others struggle with the idea as well. Also nice to see you are versed on the true way the totem pole works.
This video was fantastic! I don't know if this is sick, but I watched this and prepared dinner's chicken. It really did make me stop and think a bit more about the gap in the food production chain.
Thank you for making this video. I've been butchering various birds since I was around 10, but I added meat rabbits this year. I have processed two litters so far, and this week I am processing my third and fourth, but it can still be hard emotionally when it comes to the day of.
The first time we butchered an animal it was part of a group, and all of us were newbies and for me, that made it so much harder. We had had advice from other people and knew in theory what we were doing but for some reason all those people standing around watching every step, even if I was not the one doing it, oh my goodness. Then again we started backwards, and the first time we butcher anything it was our sheep. So a large semi "cute" animal that we had raised. And while my children had names for them, leg of lamb, lamb chops, roast lamb, it was still difficult. It was a number of years ago, but I am working on a video talking about that experience.
When we would have rabbit for dinner the preparation of the meal started with going out to get a live rabbit. Our rabbits we're not put in the freezer.
Great video, would love to see more of the realities of homesteading. Keith's question was exactly what has weighed on my mind for my future farm. Definitely starting with laying hens (learn how to raise chicks), then cornish x, and see where we go from there...
I get my chickens drunk on tequila infused fruit first. First time I had to take several shots of tequila too, to do it. Got drunker than Cooter Brown and cried lol. Next day I was fine.
Good Video. I haven’t started yet but I am on my Ranch here in Northeast Mississippi. Cleaning my Property to get ready for my Livestock. On the list now is Chickens on order, rabbits, goats, and cows. God Blessed me with 24 acres Ranch and I got me a 17 acre Lake that I’m got two sets of Beavers I’m getting out, so Beaver may be my first catch, clean and Cook. Just put small game knives cleaning set on order. Wish me luck. Appreciate the video and God Bless.
Thank you for sharing this video, I believe from the homestead, we are more appreciative to animal sacrifice the life to afford us food. It is difficult to butcher the animal you raised, but we all have to learn to overcome that emotional connection for surviving.
I know this will be my greatest challenge once I get my homestead. I want to raise my own meat, at least some of it, because I"m a huge softy when it comes to critters but I also know where my food comes from and I'm no vegetarian. I won't ever be one. I think I"ll probably need a lot of tissue boxes until I learn to handle it well and do the job right. I know it's very important to me to do it right and make it as quick, painless, and humane as possible for the animal. They deserve our respect, even if we plan to eat them.
Use a hopper popper for dispatching ! You can buy them online or make your own ! Very quick and painless for the rabbit ! There are videos on UA-cam on how to use them !
We harvest chickens, wild game. We eat it all, if meat is questionable or gamely or tough, (we dry age our meat) so tough is not usually a issue. But yep chicken feet, liver heart, and gizzard, we eat it all. Cuz caring for that animal or time and patience hunting, you work for that food. I grew up harvesting chickens, rabbits, hogs, and cattle on our farm. We respected and cared for our animals, they only had 1 bad day. But nope we don’t waste meat or veggies from garden!!
If people knew about the horrible and humiliating deaths that animal which live to old age go through they might change their mind about them going through a quick easy death.
One day I want to raise ducks and maybe rabbits and chickens for meat. My friends think I’m a monster for wanting to keep those animals and then kill them, but they all eat meat from the supermarkets. I am a little afraid that I’ll get attached to the animals, but I want to be more self-sufficient and it seems foolish to pay for feed for animals which give me nothing in return.
Solid guidance here. Yes, find a class. Some advise that we over-prepare for something that is likely to be difficult. Heifer International does chicken processing workshops which are so helpful.
I really want to have a homestead when I move out and love the idea of being 100% sustainable but I really don't know if I would be able to butcher them. I love animals so much and put my heart into all of my animals so I really don't know if I could do it. I deer hunt and fish but it would be so different to kill an animal in the woods than an animal I raised. I eat meat every day so I think for me it would just be realizing that it would be better for me to raise them myself. I could give them an amazing life with all of the things that they need and let them live way better than they would if I bought meet from the store. Not to minton that it would be way healthier if I raised it.
We also use every bit of each animal we kill. We had to kill a fox that was in our chicken coop last fall (we had only butchered chickens once prior) and ended up harvesting the meat for a tasty stew and tanned the hide for a hat.
You took my question! Awesome! It's like winning the lottery only instead of money I get THE KNOWLEDGE THAT RABBITS DIED BECAUSE OF ME.
But seriously thank you very much for all the practical advice about butchering and your thoughts behind it. I also really enjoyed hearing your philosophical points about death being part of the universe and human life being worth more than animal life. I have always believed that killing animals is something that should have some deep thought behind it. Every (normal) person has such a deep revulsion towards death and killing that you can’t just brush it off with “well I’m hungry and stuff dies anyway.” And that just proves the point that human life is unique and worth more than animal life. Animals have no qualms about killing each other. The cat positively delights in torturing the mouse. Only humans think it’s wrong to cause death and suffering - hence our talk of “humane” treatment of animals. The fact that we all feel this way says a lot about mankind having a special place in God’s creation, and I think it also gives us a hint that one day, difficult though it may be to imagine, there will be a world without death.
But I digress. For the present there is death, and also bacon (and we may hope the later may somehow exist when the former is done away with). I’m going to take your advice and start on the path of butchering with fish. Hopefully I can then work my way up to chickens and then, one day when I’ve got the nerve, on to ducks!
Thanks again for the great video. I will most certainly come back and let you know (through my tears) how butchering my first animal went.
-Keith A.
Keith, 😂 go fishing this weekend. That’s your homework. Send me pictures or fish fillets.
Wow I never thought about the human life vs animal life but saying that I respect my 20yr old cats life as much as mine
It was going to die eventually. He was already thinking about this moment himself.
Humans are the only animals who fully worry about death and the death of things around. It's a modern misconception as part of the cult of Gaia mostly by dis-informed people who have no real connection to nature but try to impose their righteousness that we should worship the earth and everything in it. Respect, yes. Idolize, no.
Can I also recommend looking up the farmstead Meatsmith's page here on UA-cam. He's a butcher that has lots of helpful videos and advice on the mentality and philosophy behind killing animals for food.
You two compliment each other so well when discussing a sensitive/tough topic like this. Austin gives great comparisons and K is blunt/to the point yet gentle and nice with the delivery of the facts.
That’s us in a nutshell 😆
I think the death of the meat you consume should not be easy. I've killed many many animals, none have been easy. I take no enjoyment out of it. I don't kill for sport, don't kill for the wall hanging. I kill to survive and knowing that when I raise them a look at them as sustaining my life. I am great full and sad. It makes me waist less meat knowing I took it's life. You get used to it but it's easier. I am a pellet gun user when dispatching rabbits.
This was I credibly helpful,thank you so much! My husband has just been learning to butcher these last few months. He had a couple lessons butchering someone else's sheep, and just over the weekend he finally did our first sheep from our own paddock. I helped, and as much as there was nothing happy about it, I was so thankful for how quickly it happened and how the sheep was just quickly taken from grazing to death...not herded in a truck and traumatized w hundreds of others at the works. Proud of my husband, who doesn't delight in hurting anything...but he did a good job and now we have our own meat that we raised in our freezer!
You should be proud lauren!
Your last point resonated with me too, no herding to slaughter - just a wonderful life with one bad day.
I completely understand this. I grew up on a farm and have been a hunter my whole life, yet it’s still (at 35 years old) is the hardest thing I do in life!
We named our first calf, who was destined to end up in our freezer, Wienerschnitzel. Half Jersey, half Hereford, the meat was delicious, but we sent her to a butcher and got back packages for the freezer. Second calf was named Steak Diane.
I knew a family who named two lambs Lunch and Dinner.
I was lucky, the first time I did the actual "killing cut" was on a chicken I had to dispatch for mercy. the next 4 were roosters from a friend so I wasnt emotionally invested and after that its been just roosters from my own flock who were excess. so I got a good ease into it. My friends are all a bit shocked I can do it all by myself as a 28yr old female, but they are city kids and that's never been me.
When we do it ourselves, we have more control over the humanity of the process. A lot of commercial farming facilities are no necessarily as humanity as what we attempt to do it on our own farms because of the difference in perspective. I watched a homesteading video one day regarding butchering meat chickens and she talked about how humanely these birds were handled and what a wonderful life they lived out on the range pecking at dirt and bugs and doing all the things day in and day out and then they have one bad day.
I made a delicious rabbit stew for myself today as a mother who can't be with her son and grandchildren in the US on Mother's Day. It was delicious btw. Also, rabbit if raised well is a very healthy animal to eat. Here in Italy, rabbit is a popular meat.
Have you ever thought about the feelings of all the animals you ate up till today. Imagine you being separated up with your families and end up on someone's plate.
@@antariksh123 Thanks for the laugh. I'm assuming you're just kidding.
I'm raising ducks. I bought a kiddie pool for them and the cashier said " I hope they are pets." I responded that the breeding pairs were treated like pets, but the eggs I hatch will be for meat." She gasped ," you're going to KILL them ?!" I kinda blinked and responded without thinking." That does seem more humane than cooking them alive." LOL. So far I haven't killed any because mine are pretty and people are buying them, which is nice, too. But I do deal with issues over killing soft, furry bunnies. I'm afraid I'll have nightmares.
This is a very helpful, I’m still not ready but am getting there
Living Traditions Homestead has an easier way to kill rabbits, also it a series Processing rabbits for meat, episode 8 killing the rabbit, ( Kevin and Sarah) take a look
I’ve been slowly working on what it takes to butcher something. Right now I can gut an apple pie without any remorse.
I am trying to talk my hubby into getting meat rabbits. I think I will have him watch this video. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this subject!
I processed 4 chickens for the first time the other day and it was a humbling experience. Funny this came up after I did it!!
Congrats Megan!
@@patc1309 thank you!! I went from being vegetarian/vegan several years ago to wanting to start my own farm. It's crazy where life takes you.
Austin This is great! I just butchered my first goat yesterday! I was excited and nervous. It was so much easier than I expected. I think we will be raising our own meat from now on! Thanks for all the advice!
I was thinking about how I worded this comment and just wanted to clarify. When I say it was easier than I expected I don’t mean the dispatching part. I had to really prepare myself for that. But the actual butchering part wasn’t as hard as I had imagined. Going to another farm to learn on an animal you aren’t familiar with is great advice. That’s exactly what we did.
Wow. It's actually really helpful to find out it always hurts inside when killing an animal. I don't know if I would have ever conemplated doing this without this video
It's weird how people don't mind killing a fish and skinning it but when it's a mammal its a whole different ball game
thanks for this. I don't have any animals yet, but I've been wanting to get into homesteading/farming so I've been thinking about this for a bit. I really love that your channel exists. Love ya'll
Great vid. I am an animal lover. Recently I started out with quail. Getting ready for rabbits. Im in an urban city. You told exactly how I feel. Gotta separate pet..from food.
I have never killed an animal in my life and I had to look for something that gives more understand about killing for food. The way you explained everything helped. This is also the first video I came across. Thank you very much. Going to look more into your channel! Keep up the good work!
I'm hunter and I'm on your side agree 100 % it a way of life and it the same way when you get food from the store first kill the animal to get the meat to survive so have food on the table
Having jumped out of a plane, the process was made easier by having an experienced skydiver with me (tandem jumping.) I think having someone who has done this before, like you suggested, would make it somewhat easier the first time. (As someone who is trying to figure out how I'm going to do this myself in the future.)
Miranda... you officially have nothing left to fear! 😎 is it fun? Half of me wants to buy the other half will not allow it ever ever 😂
@@Homesteadyshow It is a whole lot of feelings in a short period of time. It was exhilarating. It's feels like about thirty seconds of rushing wind, cold, and adrenaline. And then, you feel this catch, as your parachute opens. Then, there was this period of floating, where you get to contemplate everything below you and question your sanity for having done it.
Thank you for linking an uncut version. I appreciate the knowledge you are passing forward.
GREAT VIDEO- Austin and Kay- next week we will be butchering our 2nd flock of meatbirds. " Start with Cornish Cross-they're a ticking time bomb"....Hilarious. A couple of weeks ago I had to dispatch a 1+yr old rooster from our layer flock and it was soooo different from cornish cross. It took forever for him to go as it was not a good 1st cut- so I had to make another on the other side that did not work either- so much tougher. My hubby had to come and finish it for me. When you were talking about mistakes my daughter gave me a hug because she new it was hard for me. What you said made me feel better. And its good that my daughters are listening to this in preparation. Hoping next week goes better. You never do get over it ...just get thru it. That's why we start with a prayer. Thanks for all of the thought you both put into your videos.
Kelly C. I begin all of my butcher days with a prayer as well.
I always say a prayer of thanks to God for the life I must take for feeding my family. After this I butcher it care and respect.
This couldn't have come at a better time. We just started raising meat chickens and wanted to butcher ourselves, but we're nervous having to actually...kill them.
If you are able to drip the chicken blood into a pal of water. Side water your plants in the garden .
I always feel raw and shaken after I butcher. I don't even like having to feed the roaches I raise to my exotics and birds. It doesn't really matter how much I understand that it's not my call, this is how nature works, I'm still am empathetic human and I don't have to like this part of my dream of being a homesteader. Just try to be understanding and love yourself, it really sucks but you're not doing anything wrong.
You took on this topic so well. This is always how I've felt about killing and harvesting.
In our area we have people who hunt just for the antlers or the head and leave the body behind; whenever we see that it's just sad. It seems completely pointless to end that life. When our children have unfortunately seen we do get to explain the difference between just killing for sport and killing for survival and food.
The question you raise is a great one. I raised Quail summer before and last year raised two batches of Cornish cross chickens. I have not done “the deed” as I’m scared too. I have cleaned though. I knew when raising the goal. It was a huge eye opener for me on the true farm to table movement and my appreciation for life that is given was heightened. Plus the fact I knew what h they ate and how they were raised gave me solace. Still took me weeks to eat my first chicken but second batch I did cook one fresh.
As a person who is a bit of a flexible vegetarian (I don’t buy meat or fish, but will occasionally eat it with friends or family), I completely really respect people who raise and butcher their own animals or hunt for their food. People are disassociated with the concept of life and death and act like it’s more “morally righteous” to buy meat that has been killed by someone else. I feel people who raised animals or harvested a wild animal (unless they do it for the thrill of the kill) have a greater respect for life than all of us. I know the food and products I buy have involved both animal and human suffering, and I hope someday I can have my own homestead to enjoy the work of my own labour and not someone else’s. I completely respect what you are doing and I hope more people watch your video and get off their hypocritical butts.
Thanks Yeet!
Everything you said mirrors exactly how it goes for me and how I feel through the whole process. Mental preparation is so very important, because in order to get through it, you have to be honest with yourself about what to expect and walk yourself through each step. Thank the animal for what they are about to give you, and if you are religious, say a little prayer for a quick, clean death. That being said, every time I process a quail or chicken, I am shaking like a leaf by the end of the first cut.
I eventually want to get pigs and maybe even meat sheep once I find a larger homestead than my current 1/3 acre lot. Hopefully, before I get to the butcher stage on any larger animals, I can find a butcher class somewhat close by.
This was a very needed video and so comforting, even to someone that has been doing it for years!!! I will watch it again when I need support!!! Thanks!!!!
Thanks. I watched the full version and appreciated you sharing that part.
Thanking God and the animal for the gift we are given gives us the strength to harvest our food, despite our tears. We just processed 5 cockerels last week.
Wow dude. I'm with you 100%. Great video. Only animals I've slaughtered so far are fish. It's a little sad every time. Part of me has felt it's weird that as a society many folks will never slaughter the animals that they consume. Something's missing and it's not the delight of slaughtering. I think it's a deeper level of appreciation for food and the purpose it serves.
"First kids kinda rock your world." So much truth.
Thanks for the link to watch. I appreciated the personal impact and struggle. I have watched similar presentations and think I can. However, now I know I can because my hesitation is respect for life. All part of the circle.
Thank you for sharing the link! I've done everything at home myself from quail to cows. No its never easy. I have to admit rabbits - UGH- I can't bring myself. Wild rabbit no problem. What bothered me most was the "kill methods" others had shown me. This was much less stressful and now feel I could do this.
I agree wild is easier, I don't even think about it. I would scout the prey, report back to my hunter boys and prep everything and have it all set. They would hang it out back and bring to me for final butchering and clean up. No issues with that, but I do prefer fish.
I'm so glad I watched this. I am not the only one.
“There will be noises, there will be blood. “ 😂 I love you guys. 🐣🐓🍗
The work of harvesting the animal helps to "resolve" the action to cull. It makes you much more grateful and appreciative of this, and no, you will NOT throw meat away anymore. I would even say it has a spiritual component to it, it is a good experience for those who do the work. I was very apprehensive and did not want to do it, but i decided to learn the skill and it has changed my appreciation for meat.
I’m a new subscriber I’ve been binging on Homesteady vids. My husband and I are city slickers from Houston we have recently moved to North Texas for my husband’s job and bought 14 aces!!! We believe it’s all God’s plan for us because we’ve always wanted to provide as much food for our family as we can like your last baby our last one is allergic to everything and has serious eczema and asthma. I was raised with a pet bunny rabbit and I have to realize like you said “for us to live something had to die” it’s all part of why God placed us high in the order. Please pray for our progress.
Bright orange jumper, interesting choice of clothing for butchering day, very impressed though no blood stains
Hey Austin- I broomstick them myself. It's easier without the head on the broom. The other thing is since you have a family member who does metalwork you should try to see if they can rig you up a rabbit wringer. It's easier on your back and easier on the rabbit since they are not likely to try to scamper or explore. It also makes for a cleaner carcass up on the neck/shoulders.
Is that like a hopper popper ?
I’m with you there, I expose my children to the realities of where our food comes from, we produce our own meat & as many vegetables as we can on our homestead therefor they know the entire process of everything from start to finish.
LOL - no, the first thing you learn when skydiving is....how to land safely....from old Army nurse who used to put soldiers back together after they landed wrong....before they ever got into a parachute.... PLF - parachute landfall.
I literally got a PETA ad in this video talking about rabbits being used for experiments and how we should not experiment with them, eat, wear or use for our entertainment. Not the best ad given the circumstances hahaha
Born with purpose dies with purpose. Everything,including people, are truly lucky and blessed to experience life at all short or long life. No need to complicate
Thank you for this video. I needed those words today. I truly did.
awesome vid. Thanks for your honesty and boldness.
My daddy was my butcher buddy lol the first year I did our own chickens my dad came and helped now he grew up in this life so he's a pro but I felt so much better with him there .. now I can do it by myself and sometimes my husband does as well ... my first rabbit however was a disaster ... I thought I had a good plan and didn't . ... after I was finished I went inside and ordered a hopper popper and have not have another bad day butchering rabbits again ..... the right tools are everything y'all get them.
****LONG COMMENT****
I got into breeding meat rabbits this year… and before I even had my first kits to even grow out, I had to make the decision to mercy cull one of my beautiful breeding does… she hadn’t even been bred yet, but came to me just two months ago…. With a slight head tilt I noticed right away… so I checked ears and immediately began the treatment for mite in my entire herd… 10 rabbits…. Yeah I guess I started ambitiously… but in fairness, my entire setup including rabbits, cafes, carriers, hay and feed, (to start) was a gift.
I did name all of my buns, and this one was Margot. I figured if these were my breeders, I wouldn’t be harvesting them, and treat your animals well, after all, they are going to take care of you, in return…
Margot was sweet but I think only because her tilt got so bad after numerous failed attempts to make it better, that she got used to my what became hours daily with her in my arms trying to care for her, console her, medicate etc… now I am with my rabbits about 50% of my waking hours so just thought I would throw that in there… this was the first time I had ever ever killed anything more than a bug. Not even a fish. I have watched many hours of “harvesting” videos and I knew that I couldn’t just put her down, I needed to inspect her organs for the safety of my herd… my husband, a one time hunter (meaning hasn’t hunted in years now) had me do the killing, not realizing I needed to do a postmortem on her. I called him out to help me and his method was not at all like I had watched and at first I was a bit traumatized… then again, I wasn’t ready to process animals at our home, I didn’t have a single thing set up for that yet, and still was deciding on if I would outsource the processing or if I wanted to take it on myself…. It is determined with my very limited knowledge that Margot’s head tilt was from a stroke, and not from E.C. Quite possibly from the trip down to Florida from Pennsylvania…
It’s only been a few days since Margot’s departure, and I do miss her and wish I could have found someone in my area who took in disabled animals but I wasn’t able to and after the last time I held her, this time for more than an hour, she pushed up against me and gave me the look. I told her when she was ready, to give me a sign, and I felt it deep within me, that this was it.
I used the broomstick method, and with head tilt it didn’t go exactly to plan, but I quickly adjusted and before I knew it, it was over. I wanted to save her fur, but I didn’t have any alumn, (sp) and I only have two mini fridges so no freezer space to put her hide in… again, I don’t even have kits yet so I still have time to get the freezer from down south.
All things in time I’m sure of that. Best advice I can give to my long heart wrenching story is, yes it was hard. The right thing to do, but still hard. If it doesn’t affect you, yes you may need to see someone about that… on the other hand, knowing I am giving my animals the best care, the best food for them, taking care of them, so they will take care of me, is worth so much more now having that peace of mind that good for my family is safe and good for us. Thank you so so much for making this video, and all the others you make. I have enjoyed watching you grow in the short time that I have found your channel and watching from your earlier postings. Gods peace and continued blessings to you and your family!
Those comments about Disney are so true. My kids didn't watch television until they were 6. When they were 7 and 9 they stayed a weekend with their former nanny in her village. When I picked them up they proudly told me how they helped butchering 2 chickens. They are braver than I am...... Or less brainwashed. I am close to buying farm land so I guess soon I will have to face life's realities.
Thanks for this video, I can tell that from your face that youre having a hard time "before getting it done". I have just bought some land, started planting this spring, there will come a time, I will do this too... you gave me some courage and something to prepare for..
I pray over my rabbits before I kill them, that the Lord will help them to die quickly and pain free. My dad taught me how to dispatch and harvest. Great video
We got our first turkey this year. About a month ago I saw my daughter in the yard taking a selfie with the turkey. She said she knows its got to die, but now she may not want to eat it. Next batch I will have a conversation about not making friends with the turkey.
I'm a Vegan dude coming here to nit pick things about killing animals. But honestly, I found it refreshing listening and interesting about your thought process when killing and harvesting. Obviously,I still dont agree with killing animals for food, and sure there's things i would disagree with you on. Thank you for the insight.
Yaa i agree with u,coz i,m also vegetarian
I just found your channel about an hour ago, it was a recommendation from one of Lumnah Acres videos, and I absolutely love your videos. It was crazy because I was doing some research on raising rabbit colonies and there was video on the horror of rabbit colonies. The videos I've seen so far are so informative, you hit the topics I've been looking for and tiptoe on the subjects. I have a family of 4 that includes two small children so it's also amazing to see young kids on the homestead. We hope in the next couple years to be able to transition into a homestead. We've already taken the first steps and have started gardening over the summer. Perhaps our first mistake is that we just recently got two rabbits with thoughts of eventually raising meat rabbits. We already see them more as pets than breeders so we'll probably have to get different rabbits with the mentality "these are our breeders and their offspring will go towards feeding our family". Me and my husband both have doubts on whether we'd be able to "cull" rabbits we've raised but this video has helped me immensely. Especially when you mentioned butching fish, it reminded me that I've done that in the past and made me feel more confident that we'd be able to do this when it came time.
Thank you!
When I was young I hunted squirrels and fished. Had no problems. I would turn them into good food. A little older and I had to put down a dying pet with a shot to the head. That killed me. Later in life I hit a deer on my way home from work. That killed me. I turned it into food, though I still felt bad about hitting it. I know it would have died anyways but at the time I couldn't shake it. To some degree I still can't. I think your words are going to help me when I begin my homesteading journey. I also have to thank Keith for asking this question because it shows me that others struggle with the idea as well. Also nice to see you are versed on the true way the totem pole works.
Great job explaining it for everyone across the board, it is not easy or fun, but it has to happen for our success.
Fish are food that moves. Fish aren't people. I'm not sad at all when a fish dies, so long as I get to eat it.
As a fellow homesteader you have my Respect.
This video was fantastic! I don't know if this is sick, but I watched this and prepared dinner's chicken. It really did make me stop and think a bit more about the gap in the food production chain.
When We wash our dishes were killing countless germs and bacteria. 🦠🔬
Thank you for making this video. I've been butchering various birds since I was around 10, but I added meat rabbits this year. I have processed two litters so far, and this week I am processing my third and fourth, but it can still be hard emotionally when it comes to the day of.
The first time we butchered an animal it was part of a group, and all of us were newbies and for me, that made it so much harder. We had had advice from other people and knew in theory what we were doing but for some reason all those people standing around watching every step, even if I was not the one doing it, oh my goodness. Then again we started backwards, and the first time we butcher anything it was our sheep. So a large semi "cute" animal that we had raised. And while my children had names for them, leg of lamb, lamb chops, roast lamb, it was still difficult. It was a number of years ago, but I am working on a video talking about that experience.
When we would have rabbit for dinner the preparation of the meal started with going out to get a live rabbit. Our rabbits we're not put in the freezer.
I understand why! They are not too much of An ordeal to process!
one of my fav videos on UA-cam
Great video, would love to see more of the realities of homesteading. Keith's question was exactly what has weighed on my mind for my future farm. Definitely starting with laying hens (learn how to raise chicks), then cornish x, and see where we go from there...
#ASKHOMESTEDY: What do you do with the hides?
I get my chickens drunk on tequila infused fruit first. First time I had to take several shots of tequila too, to do it. Got drunker than Cooter Brown and cried lol. Next day I was fine.
Did you really get your chickens drunk? Lol.
Oh my goodness, I'm laughing out loud here... 1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila, floor.
Good Video. I haven’t started yet but I am on my Ranch here in Northeast Mississippi. Cleaning my Property to get ready for my Livestock. On the list now is Chickens on order, rabbits, goats, and cows. God Blessed me with 24 acres Ranch and I got me a 17 acre Lake that I’m got two sets of Beavers I’m getting out, so Beaver may be my first catch, clean and Cook. Just put small game knives cleaning set on order. Wish me luck. Appreciate the video and God Bless.
Thank you for sharing this video, I believe from the homestead, we are more appreciative to animal sacrifice the life to afford us food. It is difficult to butcher the animal you raised, but we all have to learn to overcome that emotional connection for surviving.
Thank you so much.
You have answered all of my questions.
The first thing you learn in skydiving is proper form haha, so you dont just cannonball through the air and end up upside down 😂 but point taken
Great post. Nice job of talking through your thoughts and feelings around providing food from start to finish for your family.
I know this will be my greatest challenge once I get my homestead. I want to raise my own meat, at least some of it, because I"m a huge softy when it comes to critters but I also know where my food comes from and I'm no vegetarian. I won't ever be one. I think I"ll probably need a lot of tissue boxes until I learn to handle it well and do the job right. I know it's very important to me to do it right and make it as quick, painless, and humane as possible for the animal. They deserve our respect, even if we plan to eat them.
A brilliant video for us newbies. Thank you for your courage and generosity!! From Nova Scotia
Great show great questions lovely community. Have a blessed year to all
The way this world is going, we all need to homestead and get toughed skinned so we can feed our family
I appreciate your understanding of eating meat.
Thank you so much for this!
Oh to add. I haven’t bought grocery store chicken in a year!!! That makes me proud
Wonderful how you and your wife work together as a team.
Use a hopper popper for dispatching ! You can buy them online or make your own ! Very quick and painless for the rabbit ! There are videos on UA-cam on how to use them !
We harvest chickens, wild game. We eat it all, if meat is questionable or gamely or tough, (we dry age our meat) so tough is not usually a issue. But yep chicken feet, liver heart, and gizzard, we eat it all. Cuz caring for that animal or time and patience hunting, you work for that food. I grew up harvesting chickens, rabbits, hogs, and cattle on our farm. We respected and cared for our animals, they only had 1 bad day. But nope we don’t waste meat or veggies from garden!!
Great job on a respectful training video
Butchering day sucks!! Yesterday 29 rangers went into the cooler. You will defiantly appreciate you food a lot more.
If people knew about the horrible and humiliating deaths that animal which live to old age go through they might change their mind about them going through a quick easy death.
One day I want to raise ducks and maybe rabbits and chickens for meat. My friends think I’m a monster for wanting to keep those animals and then kill them, but they all eat meat from the supermarkets. I am a little afraid that I’ll get attached to the animals, but I want to be more self-sufficient and it seems foolish to pay for feed for animals which give me nothing in return.
To all the people that say “ahah how could you do that?” I ask them “where do you think all the meat in the stores comes from?”
Solid guidance here. Yes, find a class. Some advise that we over-prepare for something that is likely to be difficult. Heifer International does chicken processing workshops which are so helpful.
I really want to have a homestead when I move out and love the idea of being 100% sustainable but I really don't know if I would be able to butcher them. I love animals so much and put my heart into all of my animals so I really don't know if I could do it. I deer hunt and fish but it would be so different to kill an animal in the woods than an animal I raised. I eat meat every day so I think for me it would just be realizing that it would be better for me to raise them myself. I could give them an amazing life with all of the things that they need and let them live way better than they would if I bought meet from the store. Not to minton that it would be way healthier if I raised it.
Proud of yah Aust👍🙌💥 Happy Mother's Day Kay , 😘🌷
JO JO IN VT 💕😄
We also use every bit of each animal we kill. We had to kill a fox that was in our chicken coop last fall (we had only butchered chickens once prior) and ended up harvesting the meat for a tasty stew and tanned the hide for a hat.
It still hurts my heart. I legit wake up holding my 6 month old son with brief visions of him being a skinned rabbit in my arms. 😢
Haha I remember you saying you had a hard time butchering ducks because they’re so cute, I’m assuming bunnies was a mountain for you to climb lol
This was SO helpful. I have 2 meat chickens I get to process this weekend. Thank y’all!