Hugh's Chicken Run, etc.

Obviously for the dairy cow breeds, there is culling of the males.

Often male calves become veal calves.... 

I'm looking into veg boxes and sourcing my meat from a local humane organic farm now. Thanks Hugh!

Obviously for the dairy cow breeds, there is culling of the males. I don't think that's the case with cows bred for meat but I'm not sure.

No, it's not the case for beef. Those males are kept for about a year and then slaughtered. (My aunt and uncle rent out a couple of fields to a local farmer who keeps beef cattle there.)

Obviously for the dairy cow breeds, there is culling of the males. I don't think that's the case with cows bred for meat but I'm not sure.

I don't *think* sheep have to be culled due to sex but I'm not positive.

There would be no point to keep loads of male sheep. You only need one ram to a herd of sheep.  Ewes fill two purposes-breeding and wool.  That where the lamb we eat come from. 

All the meat on our plates is going to be a dead animal that was killed in a not especially pleasant way.  That's just the way it is.

Often male calves become veal calves.... 

Not all.  Most are just sold for regular beef, pet-food, etc.

Often male calves become veal calves.... 

I was under the impression that veal could actually be raised quite humanely now and is a good answer to the culling that would normally occur of male dairy breeds?

There would be no point to keep loads of male sheep. You only need one ram to a herd of sheep.  Ewes fill two purposes-breeding and wool.  That where the lamb we eat come from. 

All the meat on our plates is going to be a dead animal that was killed in a not especially pleasant way.  That's just the way it is.

Not necessarily, surely?  If it's a wool sheep, males grow just as much as the females, and if it's meat, surely you can get just as much off of a male as well?  But perhaps having too many males is a problem socially, with fights and such.  

Not necessarily, surely?  If it's a wool sheep, males grow just as much as the females, and if it's meat, surely you can get just as much off of a male as well?  But perhaps having too many males is a problem socially, with fights and such.  

But they're simply not needed.  One ram could breed many ewes.  Ewes that are good breeders not only give wool but also keep replenishing your herd with new lambs. The male lambs are the lamb that we eat.  Farmers have to make a living .  You can't keep an animal if it's not economically efficient.

But they're simply not needed.  One ram could breed many ewes.  Ewes that are good breeders not only give wool but also keep replenishing your herd with new lambs. The male lambs are the lamb that we eat.  Farmers have to make a living .  You can't keep an animal if it's not economically efficient.

Mindy!! Who knew you were such a sheep expert!!? 

Not many people know this, but I am a farmer's daughter.    We tend to be pragmatists.

I wonder why we don't eat mutton anymore.  It's meant to be quite tasty.  Give the poor lambs a chance to live a little....

Not many people know this, but I am a farmer's daughter.    We tend to be pragmatists.

I didn't know that!

Mindy!! Who knew you were such a sheep expert!!? 

Aren't those her farmer's daughter traits coming thru?


Xposted with Mindy's confession!!

I didn't know that!

It is not something I advertise.

Thanks for the inside scoop, Mindy!