If we are trying to follow in the footsteps of our homesteading ancestors, let’s be honest: Great-Grandma didn’t give her old hens to the animal shelter. And I do have heartburn over the trend over turning chickens over to animal shelters when they pass their point of usefulness.

Although we are animal-lovers, the main purpose behind us having cattle, chickens, pigs, and turkeys is so we can grow as much of our own food as possible.Īs I’ve mentioned before, I don’t relish killing animals I’ve “known.” It’s not my favorite part of homesteading, but as someone who has made the conscious decision to eat meat ( and I am at peace with that decision 100%), I feel it is important I don’t shy away from being able to grow and process that meat ourselves.Īs much as I enjoy having chickens, I don’t really consider them pets–more like partners, if you will, in our homesteading experience. So allow me to explain myself…įor us a huge part of homesteading ( pretty much the #1 part, in fact) is food production. Some of you will be amused to have a post on this topic showing up in your email inbox…Īnd some of you will probably be horrified that I would ever consider eating one of our chickens. Some of you will be thrilled that I’m writing on this topic, since you have old hens or roosters that need a new “job,”

I realize this post will probably elicit a variety of reactions…

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