Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
you've named—is no different from killing and eating your cat. Really, it all comes
down to what these birds are to you. Are they pets? Are they groceries? Or are they
both?
On the other hand, what happens when hens get too old to produce eggs regularly?
Sure, they can live out their years on their roost till they peacefully fall into the straw.
Or you can make the best chicken soup you ever tasted by dispatching them as they
grow too old to be reliable producers. There is no better-tasting, healthier, and more
humane way to be a carnivore than to raise your own meat.
If the idea of raising animals for food doesn't bother you, but doing them in your-
self does, you have options. You can transport live birds to local small butchers who
will process them for you—you just write a check. Or perhaps a friend or neighbor
would “dress” the birds for a small fee or a trade. If you do order some Cornish roast-
ers, raise them along with the layers. In a few months you'll not only have all the
scrambled eggs you can eat, you'll also have roasting birds for your Sunday oven.
WYANDOTTE (Silver-Laced):
A favorite among backyard chicken keepers, the Wy-
andotte is a dependable choice for both eggs and meat. Unlike many other breeds, a
dressed Wyandotte will look similar in proportion to the chicken meat you buy at the
store and may be appealing for that reason
.
