Spring has sprung! As you know we have free range chickens, so free range that they sometimes hide a nest of eggs and keep them warm until they hatch. Some of the breeds are more broody then others, but it sort of works out because we get roosters and more hens, and we have become pros at preparing and eating the roosters. Roosters have also become popular with other bloggers. Three of my favorite California bloggers got together to slaughter and then cook a rooster which is just one(of many) cool blogger collaborations that has been hitting the blogosphere; Hank from Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, who was helped by Garrett of Vanilla Garlic and also the famous and wonderful Elise from Simply Recipes.Sometimes I think posting pictures of adorable farm animals and prepared food might seem incongruous to many. My hope is to share the beauty but also to acknowledge the complexity of farming animals. There is beauty in life on the farm, but also there is death. I might gloss over the fact that I love to eat the animals that surround me by showing gorgeous photos but it is not always easy, but life is not, and that is partly why it is so beautiful.
12 comments:
its beautiful when the animals can lead normal lives, not be placed in confined spaces or be feed things they don't normally eat.
its great to hear about farms that raise animals humanely.
omg, those chicks!
It's not incongruous at all! It is probably more congruous than not acknowledging the connection in fact. And by the way I'm very jealous of your fresh supply of eggs!
Michaela: it is great that you understand, sometimes treating the animals well makes it harder to slaughter them. I sorta understand why we have factory farms only because farming animals is fraught with so much trouble:)
Michaela: Wait that came out wrong I do not condone factory farming, but I understand why so few farm now, it is not easy!:)
Lisa:) Thank you, love your new picture:)
Laura, I wish we had more so I could share them with you:)
Thank you for getting it:)
Awesome pics! I have been plotting and planning for a move out to the country next year. My goal is a massive garden and farm animals mostly for myself, friends, and family.
I grew up with grandparents who were farmers and an uncle who still farms and raise cattle. To do this day the quickest way for me to relax is just head to a farm whether it is relative or a friend.
Heck I credit my food snobbery towards meat and food in general to them.
I think everyone who cooks should have contact with a live animal before slaughter. In my opinion it makes people appreciate where food comes from and not waste as much. Also, hopefully as a result they will see cuts like pig's tail, pig's ear, oxtail, etc. and realize those are still very usable parts of the animal and have a great purpose.
They are so sweet, with their fuzzy little feathers!!
jeff,
I SO know what you mean. I feel the same way if only farming was more profitable, but hobby farming is the way to go if you still have a day job, a few chickens, a few pigs and you are set!:)
Thanks for stopping by:)
Reeni: thank you:)
Just to play the devils advocate (so dont take this as a critisism or seriously in any sense), I think most people still miss the connection between the animals you take pictures of and the prepaired meals. The really incongrous thing to do, in our society at least, would be to have blog entries about or photos of the slaughter. Most people seem to consider the ability or will to kill to be reprehensible, disturbing, and antisocial.
check out Offal Good.
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