What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?
When I first started dreaming about homesteading, I knew I wanted chickens. I pictured fresh eggs every morning, happy hens scratching in the grass, and the comforting sound of clucks drifting through the garden. But one thing I was absolutely certain about was this: I could never harvest my own chickens.
The idea of raising a bird and then taking its life felt impossible. I remember saying to myself, “I’ll have egg layers, but never meat birds.” I thought homesteading was only about nurturing life, not ending it. But as I’ve learned over time, true homesteading isn’t just about life—it’s also about the full circle of it.
The Journey That Changed My Mind
Earlier this year, we raised our first batch of Cornish Cross meat birds. I’ll be honest—I was nervous. They were adorable little chicks at first, just like our laying hens had been. I took care of them every day, made sure they were comfortable, healthy, and well-fed. But as the weeks went by, I began to understand that these birds were different. They grew quickly, lived purposefully, and were bred specifically to provide food.
Raising them taught me something about gratitude and respect. I came to see that harvesting animals doesn’t have to be cruel or cold. It can be intentional, thankful, and deeply humane. The process wasn’t easy, but it was meaningful. I learned that I could do it—with grace and appreciation for what the animal was giving us.
Learning What “Responsibility” Really Means
Homesteading has a way of teaching lessons you didn’t know you needed to learn. For me, this one was about responsibility and respect. If I’m going to eat chicken, it feels right to understand what that truly means—to know the life behind the meal. It has changed the way I look at food entirely.
When we sit down to dinner now, there’s a quiet moment of gratitude. I know what went into that plate—the care, the effort, and yes, the difficult decision. It makes me more intentional in how we cook, how we waste less, and how we honor the lives on our homestead.
Grace, Appreciation, and Growth
I don’t think I’ll ever say it’s “easy,” but I will say that it’s right for us. Harvesting our chickens has become an extension of our respect for nature and for the cycle of life on the homestead. It’s a part of our journey toward self-sufficiency and sustainability.
This experience taught me that homesteading isn’t about perfection—it’s about growth. It’s about challenging what you thought you couldn’t do, and finding grace in the process.
So yes, I’ve changed my mind. Completely. And I’m grateful for it.
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