First experience butchering - Goat Warning, possible high ick factor

[ayeshadream]

I'm going to put this write up of the experience behind a cut, as a courtesy to all those on my friends list who may find it unpleasant or traumatic. I chose to help with this both for the culinary & survival experience and the feeling that, as a conscientious carnivore that I should experience this process on every level.

Comments

[mrq_laurellen]

Nobody that I have ever known has enjoyed the experience of butchering. Really, it's just downright nasty. Although there was this one cow that I particularly enjoyed seeing become burger... we wrote her name on the outside of all the packages. I liked her a lot more in the freezer than I did chasing me across the pasture.

Butchering is an invaluable experience to have, especially when the Revolution comes.

[ayeshadream]

Yeah, pence kind of self-selected for this fate. K has a female goat who was extremely pregnant and Pence kept doing things like knocking over fences and injuring people. Even though we wound up having another person cancel and I felt like total crap we stuck with doing it that day so it was done before the new mother and baby had to deal with him.

M had been knocked into the hardware of a fence hard enough to bruise his ribs in a couple of places and was not sad to see him go.

[corbaegirl]

I feel that way about most chickens; they're much better off dead and on my plate than trying to peck the crap out of me.

Butchering's not fun, but it is a satisfying skill to have.

Oh, we always gutted before we skinned.

[the_thread_lady]

Most of my butchering experience is with much smaller creatures. It is a smelly, messy process regardless of the size.

I think anyone who eats meat should assist in butchering at some point in their lives. It not only gives you an appreciation of the work involved, it gives a connection between the plastic wrapped package in the supermarket and the real, live creature it was. It lets you give respect to the beastie you are consuming.

[endlessrarities]

Gawd, you're brave!!

I've been veggie for twenty years, am contemplating having to eat the occasional bit of meat/fish now due to iron problems, and I really don't think I could go through all that - even though I think this is really how all conscientious carnivores SHOULD be doing it.

Look the animal in the eye, then eat it. That's the honourable way. I am in serious awe...