Fattening the cocks

[mr darcy]

Thankyou, now I'm a bit clearer! having read about people sticking things through the roof of the mouth, chopping off heads etc this seems more like something I could do in an emergency.
oddly (for a veggie) i had been wondering if I could actually raise some cocks for the pot, seems to be more acceptable, the idea of eating one, if only you have been responsible for it's life and death, that everything has been properly managed...not sure if in reality I could do it but I do know that it would be better than eating one of those poor creatures raised and killed on a mass scale.

[RichmondHens]

We ate one of our "easter chicks" on Sunday - weighed in at 6 lb 8 oz dressed - with a fabulous flavour. And the lovely thing is he had a really happy life, running completely loose round our fields until only a week or so ago, then kept in a roomy pen till D Day. We also killed and prepped two of his brothers who are now in the freezer.

Although the despatch side is never nice, it is just really good to know what you are eating has been truly happy for its short life and healthily reared.

[Hilary B]

The humane despatcher is OK if it is
a) the right size for the bird
b) adjusted right and
c) you can get it into place without spooking the bird.
It works for some people.
Broomstick method might be a little better if you have several to deal with in a short time (eg, the cockerels, all brothers, that you need to deal with before the neighbours complain about the noise).
If you are considering that chicken reared by your self is acceptable protein (when otherwise you avoid meat), well if I could get meat which I knew all about its rearing etc, I would much prefer it, but I enjoy meat too much to go without for being unable to get the best.