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| Mork at 2 weeks old |
Today is Mork and Mongo’s last day here. Tomorrow morning they go to the slaughterhouse. Mork I’ve definitely grown close to. He reminds me of my cat, Jack, who is bossy, headstrong but surprisingly affectionate. Mork was the very first kid I’ve ever helped bring into this world and I’m going to miss him a lot. But he’s taught me a lot about the ethics surrounding meat. Mongo, on the other hand, I never really got close to. His mother is pretty antisocial, having never been handled as a kid by their previous owner, so he’s picked up a lot of her animosity. He doesn’t try to kill you like his mother does, but he’s also not all that friendly. I’m still going to be sad to see him go though.
I knew this day was coming since the day Mork was born last March. It doesn’t make it any easier though. We just don’t have the space for the boys, and unfortunately, it’s the dark side of dairy. If you want milk you have to breed and with those births come boys – boys that have no practical use outside of becoming food, especially when you have limited space like we do. They are getting big – a lot bigger than their moms – and when they’re feeling feisty you have to pay extra attention to make sure you’re not on the receiving end of a well placed headbutt.
Sure we could sell them, but they aren’t pedigreed and chances are that anyone that would buy them would eat them. I want to make sure that if they are going be meat animals that it’s done as humanely as possible. The only way to assure that is if we have it done ourselves.
They have taught me a lot about the ethics surrounding meat. It makes me appreciate it more and I now have a new perspective about how animals should be raised if we’re going to eat them. Back in April I wrote about that line between livestock and pets and how my view had changed, how maybe we should name them and we should show them love and affection. Now that the time has come for our boys I can tell you that I don’t want to go through this roller coaster of emotion very often. This isn’t easy, nor should it ever be easy.
PDF Tags: goats
It's a sad day, but such an important part of raising animals, thanks for sharing about it.
I'm curious what slaughterhouse you are using, how you found them, and how you determined they would do the job in a way you felt comfortable with. Maybe you've posted about this and I missed it.
Love your blog, thanks for doing what you do!
Eating meat should never be "easy". Unfortunately so many people don't really know what goes into that meatloaf besides "ingredients"; the time, care and eventual slaughter of the animal. I bet that there would be a lot more vegetarians if people knew the details in getting that burger on their plate. I know it's not easy, but you're doing the right thing, IMO.
This particular slaughterhouse we found through word of mouth. It's State inspected, but not USDA, which means it's smaller and they can't sell meat. They can only slaughter animals that you already own.
I think a good rule of thumb when finding a slaughterhouse is whether you can be there while they do it. I personally won't be there though, but my husband will be.
very hard indeed. love to you. glad tom will be there.
I agree with Carolyn, it's not easy, nor should it be, it's what makes us human. I'm not sure if personally I could raise goats for anything other than pasture ornaments though, I know I'd get too attached. I know, you can't get milk without bucks, any more than you can get hens without roosters. I'm just a wimp. I know tomorrow will be hard for you, but you have the knowledge and comfort of knowing how Mork and Mongo were raised. Raising animals, rather than blindly shopping for the end product, causes us all to be less complacent about the source. Honestly, I think everyone should have that experience at least once.
While blog hopping one evening I happened upon your blog. So very interesting. this story however peaked my interest. We once bought a 4-H pig at the Orange County Fair, and also a cow, which we split with the neighbors. So good, but I never understond that part of farming, when after you have raised an animal you need to say goodbye. I'm afraid I wouldn't make a very good farmers wife! However you do!
My brother and his wife, raise about 300 head of certifed angus up in Wilton. Knowing that they are not being slaughtered makes it so much fun to visit their ranch.
They are into the genectices of the beef, so their beef is raised to sell to other ranchers. They have a sale twice a year, one for bulls and one for heifers.
I do shop at grocery stores, but on Saturdays I support the central coast farmers at the UCI farmers market. Better and I would rather support them than the "Safeways" of the world. BTW I loved that article on the desert cities.
Keepup the good work. I started a blog on my wieght loss journey, and having a blast meeting so many new friends. I have only posted 3 times so it's very new! I'll continue to check in with your blog. Also Sandra Bullock has a sister in Vermont that has a delightful blog about her little farm and chickens so if you want to check her out, let me know. Again keep it up!
I name all our chickens. When we have rabbits I'll be naming them as well. It's just something I can't not do for some reason. It adds more depth to what I do to keep them happy and healthy until it's time to harvest them.
Trust me, if more people lived this way, eating only the chickens or goats they raise, more of the country would be vegetarian. The beef propaganda people would spontaneously combust, there'd be no place for CAFOs, and more agricultural land would actually be fit to grow vegetables in.