This afternoon I have planted out sprouts, spinach, lettuce under cover , and more beetroot. I took a break to call over to my friends the Camerons to give Sandra the news of the next Flower Show meeting.
The Camerons have just had their first pigs butchered and although they found it a little difficult both celebrated the way that they had raised their pigs and looked after them over the past few months.
We talked about the importance of caring for your animals holistically ( which includes culling and butchering them where it was appropriate), and I found it all rather prophetic when I arrived home to find Rogo gasping in his coop.
I have never actually killed one of my chickens personally until today. Bob from the village has showed me how to do it humanely and with dignity, and although I watched him dispatch last year's cockerels and actively got stuck in with the butchering of the carcasses, I had never actually performed "the act" as it were.
This afternoon I had to. It was obvious and was the best thing to do. And in a couple of seconds it was all over. I had raised this lovely bird and I had the opportunity to see it humanely killed.
and you know what.....it felt perfectly fine
Sending a big hug..... you did what you had to do, that was best.
ReplyDeleteOh John, very sorry you had to do the deed.:( Making that decision is so very, very difficult.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you for having the courage to do what was right for him.
You did what was right for Rogo, at the expense of your own pain. You should feel peaceful about it.
ReplyDeleteI feel fine about it, and in some ways it wasa right of passage for me.....before this, part of me felt as though I was choosing to enjoy the nice parts of animal care without the more unpalitable negative parts
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a kindness John...
ReplyDeleteNO FREAKIN' WAY!! Good on you for being able to do it. Mike gets mad that I won't do it. We had a couple of chicks this year hatch out deformed, and unable to walk. Mike had to "dispatch" them. I just can't do it. I can shoot a deer for skinning and eating, but I just can't kill something that was either born in my house or yard or raised of feed I gave it. I...I just can't!
ReplyDelete~Randy
We don't butcher our birds for eating but yes, we've had to put some out of their misery, a sad task.
ReplyDeleteActually, one of our beloved dogs had been very ill for a long period and she was overdue to be put down but we couldn't stand the thought, but one evening, Mike dug a grave and shot her in the head. We were grieving but somehow it felt better to put her down at home by us rather than take her to a Vet's office.
joanna...I couldnt do any of my dogs...to me....I just couldnt.....but I understand the peace you had doing it
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
Well done john, you don't need me to tell you you did the right thing. Poor old Rogo.
ReplyDeletexxx
John, sorry to hear about Rogo.
ReplyDeleteAs the others have said, it was the only thing left to do. Amazing how animals let you know when it is time. Our previous dog, Jessie, just couldn't go on any longer.....she looked up at me one evening and I could sense that she was tired and she 'told' me so. To the vet we went and she very quietly went to sleep.
umm I think about this too. At my childrens' secondary school they do the whole circle - pig rearing ...etc etc etc and cooking the produce.
ReplyDeleteI have been talking to the vet about our old boy Sam & I know it will be left to me to make the decsion that enough is enough - he's so old.
Thanks for your comment - I can't think why you think I have great photography skills - I point & press the button !
I am glad Rogo isn't suffering, its good you did right by him. Its so hard to make that decision by our animal friends, but sometimes its truly the right and loving thing to do...
ReplyDeleteI dispatched 4 cockerels that I raised from chicks. It wasn't pleasant and I did it without any guidance other than from the internet.
ReplyDeleteI'd never hatch chicks again. However I'm glad I did it, as i always say you shouldn't be willing to eat it if you aren't willing to kill it.
Rogo was lucky to have someone who cared enough about him to not only take care of him but to end his suffering when there was no longer any hope.
ReplyDeleteYou did the right thing.
ReplyDeleteShirl x
Sorry about Rogo, John. He was a very handsome and brave rooster. You did him a great kindness.
ReplyDeleteHi- just found your blog via Shirl, and was touched by your concern for The Rooster.
ReplyDeleteLife's a bitch and then you die- sadly never more true.
I agree with you tho that it's a Rite of Passage, and one that you've certainly passed through with dignity and respect.
Hope to follow your blog further on a happier note.
xx
well done JG it's the worst part of livestock keeping, but like you say, when you've done a good job, it does feel somehow right.
ReplyDelete