I participated in a slaughter
I really didn’t know another way to put that… I mean, other than the obvious statement. My friend raised ducks and then he needed help with the slaughter.
When I first became a vegetarian I felt that I was “better” in many ways than any other type of carnivores. Meaning, better than a lion, or tiger, or bear – because I could choose to not eat meat. There were many reasons that I chose to be a vegetarian at 15, and continue it till recently. Now? I currently buy 99% of my meat from local, responsible farms – the vast majority of which I have personally visited. That 1%? Typically comes from meals eaten outside of our home, and even then I tend to eat vegetarian.
Recently, I felt that I was ready to accept personal responsibility in my meat eating – because I think that for myself, if I am not willing to kill an animal – then I shouldn’t eat them. It was important to me to participate in the slaughter, because if I couldn’t do it; then to me, it would be a sign to stop eating animals.
Once you make the decision that you’re able to accept the responsibility that comes with meat eating it’s hard to find a responsibly raised animal and participate in the process of “animal to meat” or I suppose “farm to table”. It’s probably illegal for most farmers to allow you to participate, and for larger animals it’s the law that they must be processed in a plant.
This post so far has been about my decision to participate in the slaughter, which Nick would prefer I refer to as “taking care of the ducks”. For me personally, I need to refer to it as a slaughter – because that is the truth. For the ducks it was quick, and for me? A bit less so.
I did not take any photos of the slaughter. I brought my camera, but decided that it was ultimately something I did not want to document at the time. The process and images are burned on my brain, and that’s enough for me. I woke up that morning so nervous that I didn’t eat breakfast for fear that I would vomit while participating. I didn’t get sick… but I also didn’t eat till 3pm that day.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to write about the day on here… but I think I will. I’m still processing the whole event, because killing an animal takes a lot out of me (as I think it would anyone).
July 8th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Growing up in HK I’m used to watching animals getting killed at food markets. Never actually participated, but it might just as well since I was standing right next to the guy who was slaughtering the animals for my dinner. So guess my point is I’m so used to seeing things like that, it doesn’t really kill my appetite, but I totally see where you’re coming from, if you’re not used to seeing things like that, it takes quite a bit to recover.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Hello!
I stopped eating meat 2 years ago for the same reasons you did. I confess I did not stop eating fish/seafood, so I guess I technically stopped eating “land meat”. I’m not “vegetarian” by that definition, so I guess I’m pescatarian.
I have not re-started meat eating. But I respect that you did, and I don’t disrespect people who do eat meat. When I ate meat, we often got locally sourced meat. Not always … um, where can you find locally sourced hot dogs? But we got all meat hot dogs, which in Canada means they cannot have cartlidge or ears or whatever in it. I’m with you: meat eating should mean ethical eating.
And I completely respect your decision to participate in the slaughter. I have friends who have a beef cow farm, and I have some family who hunt. In their case, seeing animals live and either actively participating in or directly killing the animal means (for the people I know) that you respect the animal and treat it with dignity. You shoot to kill, you aim to minimize pain, and when possible, you try to ensure it is completely painless.
Thanks for sharing this post. I don’t know how I’d react in your situation, but I completely respect and am humbled by your participation in this “taking care of the ducks” aka slaughter.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
I like your attitude about how you should accept responsibility for the meat that you’re eating. I’m looking forward to hearing your experience and I hope you do blog about it!
July 8th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Wow – I am seriously impressed, and I really do like your viewpoint. I wish that I could say that I could do the same. I stopped eating red meat about 10 years ago. I went completely vegetarian a few years back, but I was having a hard time with getting enough protein in my system, so I reintroduced chicken/turkey and fish into my diet. I think it is amazing that you wanted to take part in “taking care of the ducks,” but I fear I could never bring myself to do it. I have a hard time killing bugs in our apartment because I feel awful. I am actually notorious for capturing nasty spiders and other bugs and releasing them back outside because I don’t have the heart to kill them. I really hope that you write about your experience!
July 9th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
i’m really interested to hear about your experience. we try to buy just responsibly raised meat, but have not made the step of visiting one of the farms. i really admire that you’ve done that. and i’m curious to hear how participating in the slaughter affected your attitude towards meat (as i stay here safe in my cocoon).
January 7th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
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