Farm Auctions (Gardiner, Guilford: to live, auction, eat)

[Maine Writer]

We can do them but they can't be sold if they aren't done in a USDA facility. We don't eat them. Imagine raising thousands of rabbits and not eating them. Thanks for the offer! I hate the alive to dead part. I worry that I won't do it right the first time. I've been "rabbit shy" since botching the last attempt.

[bignhfamily]

Originally Posted by AliceT

Wait, wait. Stop the bus. Maine Writer, I can understand having a pig processed, but a rabbit? I can do your rabbits for ya. I'm not a USDA inspector, but I don't mind doing the deed fer ya.

The only trouble I have is making them go from alive to dead. That's what my pistol is for.

A pistol? for a rabbit? huh, that's a new one to me. Actually sounds a little dangerous.

Usually and preferably, the head of the rabbit is dislocated (neck is snapped).
This is considered the quickest, easiest method. Though, I'm no pro, I was able to process around 10 an hour. I'm sure this is slow for commercial operations but compared to chickens it's easy work.

[Maine Writer]

We break necks too. A pistol would be easier for me psychologically. Killing something with my hands makes it seem worse. It's ridiculous because dead is dead no matter how I've done the job.

[AlisonL]

I always broke necks and did our processing for our own use. Any orders were taken to West Gardiner Beef and done. The only thing I miss about it all is having rabbit in the freezer. Sure don't miss all the work involved. Before anyone says "alot of work?", you have to realize we raised rabbits first and foremost for show. The culls were for meat.
We kept an average of 125 rabbits at all times.

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by bignhfamily

A pistol? for a rabbit? huh, that's a new one to me. Actually sounds a little dangerous.

My gun, my bullet, my rabbit, my choice. I botched it once, trying to break his neck quickly. It hurt him. He suffered. That was not my intention. So I switched to my pistol for all subsequent rabbits. Rabbit stands on the ground. I hold him lightly in place, barrel of the pistol aims at his head and the bullet travels through the head and into the ground. Done. Works first time every time.

Read Maine Writer's quote below. She understands. It's a woman thing

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

A pistol would be easier for me psychologically. Killing something with my hands makes it seem worse.

Oh, and sorry Maine Writer, I thought you just wanted the meat for yourself. Fully understand now.

[Submariner]

I use a pistol for goats and pigs, and I use pruning shears for rabbits, chickens and turkeys.

[KiddinAroundFarm]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

KAF, do you have your rabbits processed in Guilford? I wouldn't mind raising a few to take in when I take the pigs in the fall.

Nope, I wish MW. The ONLY place we've found in the state even willing to take a rabbit for slaughter, never mind USDA is in West Gardiner. We use Guilford for goats. Of course, this is all for meat that we sell at market, etc... since we do all our own slaughter here for our own use. Or at FB's house, depending on the critter and space needs.

[KiddinAroundFarm]

Originally Posted by AliceT

My gun, my bullet, my rabbit, my choice. I botched it once, trying to break his neck quickly. It hurt him. He suffered. That was not my intention. So I switched to my pistol for all subsequent rabbits. Rabbit stands on the ground. I hold him lightly in place, barrel of the pistol aims at his head and the bullet travels through the head and into the ground. Done. Works first time every time.

Read Maine Writer's quote below. She understands. It's a woman thing



Oh, and sorry Maine Writer, I thought you just wanted the meat for yourself. Fully understand now.

I understand this as well... I can't do the killing. But I can do the rest. I just can't actually KILL something. Don't know why, maybe I could w/ a gun. But not by hand. I understand, and yes, I think it's a woman thing, for most women anyway. I think if something was truly suffering, and I had to act fast, I could do the act, but not just "because" I wanted it dead, catch what I mean?

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by KiddinAroundFarm

I think if something was truly suffering, and I had to act fast, I could do the act, but not just "because" I wanted it dead, catch what I mean?

Yup, I believe MW, you and I are singing from the same sheet of music.

[bignhfamily]

Originally Posted by AliceT
My gun, my bullet, my rabbit, my choice. I botched it once, trying to break his neck quickly. It hurt him. He suffered. That was not my intention. So I switched to my pistol for all subsequent rabbits. Rabbit stands on the ground. I hold him lightly in place, barrel of the pistol aims at his head and the bullet travels through the head and into the ground. Done. Works first time every time.

Originally Posted by Maine Writer
We break necks too. A pistol would be easier for me psychologically. Killing something with my hands makes it seem worse. It's ridiculous because dead is dead no matter how I've done the job.

Originally Posted by KiddinAroundFarm
I think if something was truly suffering, and I had to act fast, I could do the act, but not just "because" I wanted it dead, catch what I mean?

This reminds me of an old episode of "All in the Family"

In the episode, Gloria was debating the importance of gun control with her dad Archie. She goes on to state some facts about the number of people murdered by handguns.
To this Archie replies "would it make you feel any better, little girl, if they were pushed out windows"