[NickiWilliams]

Hi, would really appreciate any suggestions, help or advice on how to cope with 'that day' when it comes. We're about to take on a bigger small holding (2 acres to 10 acres) and with that comes sheep, pigs and cows -eventually.  As a self confessed newcomer, committed to self sufficiency; all of our animals have all been rescue, all have names and all are pets, therefore so far we've not ventured down that route.

My question is; how do you make the distinction between pet and plated? Even with carrying out abatoir homework, is it possible to ensure that the slaughter process is as stress free as possible? Is it an easy transition to make? Is knowing that they've had an almost stress free healthy life enough when the joints in the freezer or roasting in the oven?

I am aware that these are probably really silly questions but would be really grateful for any insight or help.  Thank you. Nicki x

[Bangbang]

We name all our animals and yes, it is hard to say goodbye to them when the time comes, but we find what helps is the knowledge that in their short life with us we gave them the best care and attention possible. There were certain one's, orphans mainly that you had I would consider a stronger bond with but the logistics of smallholding means you can,t keep them all. We give them a good send off (extra treats and hugs etc) and then return our attention on to the rest of our animals

[goosepimple]

We're hopeless and still hopeless when it comes to that.  My recommendation would be that you either stock so much you don't give them names and are glad to get rid of a few trouble makers, pay someone to take them to the abbatoir (pay them in meat), get boys if its pigs - that way it makes you under pressure to get rid of them (because of the taint in the meat if you wait too long), or just decide you're not going to do it and keep them all as pets - doesn't work though if you breed from them.  I have become harder over the 7 years we've been doing it but picking ones out for death doesn't do it for me, we just sell everything on and let others do that, I stick with the cute feel good start of it all and have learnt not to be tempted to overbreed, stay cool.  If you have only a few of everything you do become attached even if they don't    I think if you start out with a complex about it, it's likely you'll still have it in 5 years.  I can't feed something with one hand and want it to like/approach me and then kill it later, just not me (and if that makes me still a 'towny' then that's ok, I'm no less a smallholder  )

[Sylvia]

I have a leg of Enid in the oven at the moment. I couldn't eat meat if I didn't know it or how it was reared. Enid gave me much joy in her life (even walking her home from where she shouldn't have been ) and she will taste lovely and will have had a happy life and a useful end. What more can you ask?

[Chris H]

We have a smallholding and are veggies, yes we have chickens and ducks and they supply us with eggs and live long and productive lives. We are going to keep a few sheep for wool and to keep the croft tidy but I would no more think of eating them than I would one of the dogs. However if you eat meat then I think you should be prepared to take them through the process, I am just saying that smallholder/meateater are not joined at the hip

[manian]

hi
we give all our animals names; slaughter and those that are staying.
sargents (or elliots) will be nearest for you. We use sargents at marchington (uttoxeter) they are lovely. they know its hard for you and have always been friendly and not rushed us.
just remind yourself why you are doing it (for us its knowing our meat has had a good life).
it does get better after the first time. usually you get to abbatoir earlysothe mornings are busy so no time to worry etc. but when you get home and see the empty paddock it is tear jerking
if you want a hand to hold feel free to ask.
the chickens are a different matter, we do those and my OH does the deed (not plucked up courage) I am there tho'
Mx

[jaykay]

I try hard not to name things I'm going to eat, as that does make it easier for me. Doesn't mean I don't care for them and pet them while they're alive, but I always have in my mind that they're going for meat and somehow that does make it easier.

There is a distinction though since I would never more dream of eating my breeding goats for example, than my pet house animals, but their boy kids did go to the abattoir and always were going to. You need to make the distinction in your own head.


It's not nice on the day, nor should it be really. And because it's not, I decided it was a cop-out to expect someone else to take them for me (or kill my cockerels for me) and that if I were going to farm in a small way rather than keep farm animals for pets, i'd have to make myself do it. So I did. I don't like that bit of it, but I summon every bit of brave I have and I do it.

I have to leave the meat in the freezer for long enough that I can't picture who I'm eating so well.

And unless you're vegetarian, there's the argument that any meat you eat of your own, at least you know it was well cared for and had a good life, can't know that about any other unless you know the farmer very well.

[Sylvia]

Yes, as Manian says, find out what time the abattoir opens and be there half an hour before- so many people will be thinking the same thing. The vast majority of abattoirs are quick, kind and efficient, there is no kinder way of killing an animal unless you do it yourself, at home.

[lachlanandmarcus]

It can be easier to choose breeds where all the lambs for eg will come out the same colour and look similar. we found it very hard to send off coloured ones with funny markings as you do get to know them as individuals. I can still do it but it is harder!

[NickiWilliams]

Thank you, so much, everyone for taking the time to post. Your comments, thoughts and suggestions are both helpful and reasuring. What it has made me realise is how much of a hermogonised society we've become where the meat we eat (sorry Chris H  ) doesn't look like what its supposed to allowing us to make that distinction, until it comes to the point where we're faced with the reality of where meat actually comes from, and its not in a plastic see through wrapper! If we're going to be responsible enough to keep animals then we need to be responsible enough to see it through from beginning to end.

Lachlanandmarcus, that's a really helpful tip. Perhaps thinking of keeping cute Kerry Hills is not the way forward!Sylvia, I hope you enjoy Enid, in all of her glory! First there, first away!
Jaykay, that distinction is really helpful
Manian, Will 'man-up' and take a trip over to look round. Thank you, again, for the advice. May well take you up on the offer!!
Chris H, that's a really interesting point and one that I'd never considered. It may be that as a result of going self sufficient Veggie is the only way forward. At this point it feel like I'd be eating one of the dogs or horses and like you, I'd no more do that than fly to the moon!
Goosepimple, that's really honest and hugely reasuring. Thank you!
Bangbang, thinking we might keep ones for slaughter and ones as pets to balance out!!

Thank you, again everyone

[thestephens]

we got our first "pet pigs" 6 years ago and the thought of eating them was just a complete no no! But as time went on, we bred our first and realised if i wanted to keep going i had to use the surplus, so off Ruby went (husband took her but i went with him to collect) when we sat down for the first meal of sausages i was so proud and we were careful to say "our pork" and not this is Ruby!!!!!!
Dot is lined up to go soon as the freezer is getting pretty low!

[MAK]

Lots of good points about care and slaughter have been made that I won't repeat - but what I would say is that a few weeks down the line when you eat a duck or a pork sausage you will probabley not make an association with the animal you reared. Sure you will have the satisfaction that you cared for it and that it had a good life but by the time the plate is on the table my guess is that like most of us you will have no worries enjoying your meal. Actually you will be so busy and have such appetites that you will eat Red Rum if served up on a plate.
This week I killed a lovely duck who was always first up for breakfast then I killed a large rabbit who attacked and bit the OH then bit my leg as I stepped into the ring.
Both animals have been eaten and enjoyed with equal passion for good grub. ( I do not name my few animals or birds).
 

[lachlanandmarcus]

The allowing yourself to have a few 'pets' does work for me, I have to say, I have a certain number of spaces for pets to act certain roles (wether as ram companion, experienced old ewe whose teeth are still good enough for her to keep herself well to act as teacher to the younguns). That way you focus more on them. But you do have to stop the number of those pets expanding, I tell myself if there is a new one, an old one would have to go, and that stops me.
But it is right to be upset, as I always am, the day you take any off to the slaughterhouse. I just remind myself that the alternative is buying supermarket meat and I know my sheepies have had a much longer, much better life than supermarket lamb. And they taste much much better. For me, that is enough to make me feel fine.
It does help if more than one goes off at the same time and they are similar size/build, by the time they come back butchered, they are joints of meat and you cant tell who was who.

[NormandyMary]

I would really love to have a few sheep in my top field, its well fenced and ideal for a dozen at least. However, my hubby has said that he would never eat any animal that we have looked after. I think its a shame as lamb is so expensive to buy, and our old neighbour often used to graze his sheep in our field and it was lovely to see. I believe that if you were saying goodbye to animals en masse, it wouldnt be quite as bad as if you were saying au revoir to one or two. Unfortunately, Ill probably never find out.

[jaykay]

NM, could you raise some sheep and then swap them with someone else's to help your hubby get over that one?


A friend and I agreed to do this with goat kids, since we both know we rear them well but often there's only one to go, he's been coming in every night with his mum..... Not like the tup lambs when 8-10 go at once.


In the end, we managed our own but the idea helped us initially