Should farm animals be named?
I have had a firm policy for the last few years of not naming animals that I am raising for meat as this has made it easier for me to deal with the loss of the animals.
Some people wonder how I can spend time raising and keeping animals when I know that they will end up as meat but I enjoy looking after animals and I enjoy eating meat from an animal that I know how it has been raised, what it has been fed and how it has been treated.
This year I have raised pigs for meat and I vowed that I would not name them as it would make it easier for me to deal with, however one of our neighbours wanted one of the pigs and decided to name her. From that moment, as I began to identify the pigs and see their personalities develop, I came up with names for them linked to their distinguishing features.
Juliet, Pinky, Rocky – White Stripe, Stumpelina, Perky, Lightening & Spot were all recognisable and although naming these pigs went against my policy of naming animals I am raising for meat I have to say that I do believe that these animals became much friendlier and easier to handle as I spoke to them.
Giving the pigs a name has helped me to bond with these curious and intelligent creatures. I have found that they have responded to their names and it was always the ones with a name that came to the pig stye door first or responded to my voice and this has made the experience of keeping and raising the pigs a much more memorable and enjoyable experience.
My sows are in pig again and I will certainly be naming my piglets again.
Let me know your thoughts about naming animals.
Comment by Rebecca (living sustainably and felting in rural Ireland) – April 1, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
My newest billy goat who I decided not to name as I am not keeping him, has already become Billy Boy.
Comment by Diane – April 2, 2008 @ 2:48 am
Comment by nikkipolani – April 2, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
As you say, you became fonder of the pigs after they had a name. This must make a difference to the quality of life of the pig (even though that life is short).
I admire you Sara. I couldn’t eat my nameless guinea fowl that needed a new home. It’s a subtle shift in consciousness that is needed to provide a happy life and a quick and easy death. I’d like all the meat that we eat to be treated in this way but it requires great strength on the part of the people who raise the pigs.
Comment by Cottage Smallholder – April 2, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
If I had animals now, I’m sure they’d all have names. And I totally agree that it’s nice to know where your food is coming from – how it was grown, what it was fed, etc. I guess I might think that the animal was being raised for a purpose – and deserved my respect and care during its lifetime – and for me that would include giving it a name.
Comment by kris – April 3, 2008 @ 1:49 am
However, with 13 lambs this year I struggle to recognise / remember any names – the only one I know for sure is the orphan ram lamb with a black leg (Chop Chop).
Comment by notaproperfarmer – April 3, 2008 @ 9:36 am
Comment by Jean Ann – April 3, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Comment by Louise – April 3, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Comment by Dragonstar – April 3, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
I expect you are busy this time of the year.
Regarding naming of animals. we always named horses (sentimental) and Dogs (sentimental) but the cows were only named for practical reasons, such as passing information about a certain animal from one person to another, and as for hens, we would have been laughed at if we had named fowls. Pigs were slightly different because we dealt with pedigree large whites, and they were referred to by their Herd book name, which could be rather complicated
Kind regards
John
Comment by John – April 5, 2008 @ 9:05 am
Comment by Jane – April 11, 2008 @ 5:33 am
Comment by junior – September 29, 2008 @ 4:08 pm