Thoughts on Birds for Dinner

[Ragtime]

Until I was heavilly into bird watching, I happilly accepted a friends gift of a couple of pheasants, reared to be shot and put on someone's dinner plate.

Now, I have three lying in a bag in my kitchen, and suddenly, it all seems so different! It shouldn't I know..

How do bird lovers generally feel about pheasants, pigeons, ducks or other wild birds as their next meal? Or is it simply the same as chicken and turkey?

[Wild-Woman]

Must admit that I have no desire whatsoever to try them.

[Dan Salter]

If you can stomach preparing it then pheasant is lovely.

And pheasant wouldnt really be here if it wasnt for hunting/eating.

i do eat duck...had it friday...not sure about shooting wild duck/wildfowling...i eat duck and i guess i tell myself it is farmed like chicken and turkey.

I would eat pigeon as they are currently numerous.

Im not sure i agree with the shooting and eating of scarcer birds like woodcock etc?

[nightshade]

They would serve no purpose at all if you just throw them away, treat them as Chicken or Turkey they were introduced as game to be eaten but really brightened up the countryside while they were alive

[Ragtime]

Originally Posted by nightshade

They would serve no purpose at all if you just throw them away, treat them as Chicken or Turkey they were introduced as game to be eaten but really brightened up the countryside while they were alive

That I like.

I certainly won't throw them away. It's just strange how you view these things differently from one day to the next.

[wellies101]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

i do eat duck...had it friday...not sure about shooting wild duck/wildfowling...i eat duck and i guess i tell myself it is farmed like chicken and turkey.

I would eat pigeon as they are currently numerous.

Im not sure i agree with the shooting and eating of scarcer birds like woodcock etc?

I very much agree with you Dan, provided two rules are followed:

1. I would need to make sure their populations are strong (Mallard, Canada Goose, Pigeon, etc.)

2. I wouldn't take any more than I needed. For example, if I wanted two pigeons for me and the neighbour, once I'd shot two I'd call it a day.

I would also like to add that Iwould be much happier eating somthing that I had killed, knowing it had a quick death, and a "natural" life.

[Gill Catton]

I think personally they're better than chicken or turkey because they've had a good and happy life doing whatever they wanted and could even have potentially escaped. You can only hope thier mothers and fathers had a good life too...... Nothing is ever easy!

[Phoebe]

Hi Ragtime, I know just where you are coming from, as a bird lover myself. I used to feel the same when I first started to eat game and game birds. Now I think completely differently about it. For a start I feel more guilt for a shop bought chicken or a turkey. They have been reared under different conditions i.e. not allowed the freedom of a wild bird…

I eat a lot of game and do not feel so guilty. They have at least had total freedom and lived a happy life and there is no substitute for the flavour. I could go more in depth but think there is no need. I always make the most of any bird that I eat, making stock and soup with the leftovers, that way I feel they did not die in vain. It's what I have always done. I would enjoy your pheasants and not feel guilty.

[Jason Green]

I'm against.

I know they are here for this purpose and sport shooting, but I still don't agree with it. Having an interest in birds would make eating a bird on the wild breeding British list feel... canibalistic and unnecessary.

Take care,

Jason

[Ukwildlifeo]

The only problem I can see with it is to do with the live pheasant in the first place - where the native wildlife is killed to protect the non native pheasant. Having seen them wandering across paths, pratically over my feet, I personally dont see the sport in shooting such a tame animal but I can understand the arguement for them having a better life before being killed