Joe Sexton

Phil Swindler wrote:Wes, you are absolutely entitled to your opinion.
I am in no way suggesting we mistreat the animals.  Take good care of them, feed and care for them as consistently with their natural habitat as you are able.
I just know, because I've been around it quite a bit, and done it myself a few times, it's a lot easier if you don't anthropomorphize them.
Somebody has to do the dirty deed.  It is a lot harder to be involved in that process is you have made friends with the animal.

Exactly. In my opinion you have to take the bitter with the sweet. If not, what's the sense of doing it in the first place? I hate killing with a passion but that's the price I have to pay to provide for myself. The animals get a good life & kind treatment for their entire life, a quick death and an apology for what I'm doing to them.

Just my 2 cents but bringing a gun into the equation doesn't sound good. A sharp knife won't miss and go thru the neighbors wall.
Years ago an old Portuguese dude told me that they feed Turkeys brandy when they kill 'em in the old country. He said it tenderizes them! Don't know if that's true but I give mine a pan of water and brandy on the day. I do know a good mouthful of Portuguese brandy takes the wobble out of my hand to make the process as quick and stress free as possible.
Another tip I have is to make sure the killing cone is big enough to suit the bird. The first year I raised broad breasted whites I used my trusty 5 gallon bucket w/ a hole in the bottom I'd used on Narragansetts. Long story short, waiting for a turkey to exhale is a b*tch.

Last Summer I tacked two king size flat sheets end to end and covered my greenhouse with it. The difference it made was surprising (to me anyhoo). When it was really scorching outside I was ducking in to the greenhouse to cool off.