Chicken Processing Day at 1737: Difficult, Necessary, and Rooted in Respect

Whew… today was one of those days on the homestead. The kind that sits heavy on your heart, even when you know you’re doing what’s right. Chicken processing day is never easy, and honestly, I don’t think it ever should be. But it is necessary, and it’s part of the commitment we made when we decided to raise our own food here at 1737.

Let me tell you, walking out to the coop this morning, I felt that familiar mix of gratitude and sadness. These birds have been with us from the fuzzy chick stage all the way to full, healthy adulthood. We raised them with care, gave them good feed, sunshine, space to scratch, clean water, and a peaceful life. That’s the promise we make here: if these animals are going to nourish us, then their time on this earth will be respected every single step of the way.

Processing day is quiet. No music, no rushing, no distractions. It’s a day where you move a little slower and breathe a little deeper. You stay present with every task, because this part deserves just as much attention as the hatching, the feeding, or the early morning “good mornings” at the coop. It’s hard, yes, but it’s honest. And that’s the whole heart of homesteading.

Raising your own meat changes you. It makes you more intentional. It makes you appreciate every meal a little bit more. It teaches you that food doesn’t just come from the store, it comes from hard work, responsibility, and choices that require courage. And at the end of the day, it gives you a deeper connection to the land, your food, and the cycle of life we’re all a part of.

I won’t pretend I didn’t tear up. I always do. But I’m also proud, proud of what we’re building at 1737, proud of the values we stand on, and proud that we choose to do things the right way, even when it’s uncomfortable.

So tonight, as everything winds down and the homestead gets quiet again, I’m holding onto gratitude. Gratitude for the animals, for the land, and for this life that continually shapes and humbles me.

Hard day? Yes. But a meaningful one.

— Shawana

1737 Urban Homestead