I am currently reading a book called The Call of the Farm by Rochelle Bilow. Rochelle is a New Yorker who serendipitously fell in love with a farm and a farmer while working as a fledgling food writer. The book weaves a tale that I know well. She feels kindred to me. As I turn the pages, I long to meet, sip coffee and swap sappy farmer love stories with her.

Then, at about chapter seven, she describes the day when their chickens are processed for the farm customers. She calls them “meat birds” and admits to having a surprisingly laissez-faire attitude towards butchering the animals. This is where we differ.

Imen’s Turkey Journal: 26 October 2014

Our turkeys are just about 14-weeks-old and I cannot see how I will manage letting them go for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They rely on me to take care of them, feed them, provide fresh water for them and keep them warm, dry and safe.

I know that’s all part and parcel, but I swear they have the look of love in their eyes when they see me. Sometimes I peer out the shutters of my kitchen window with a view to Turkey Hollow, secretly hoping a turkey will have found a way out. I’m beginning to think this is not for me.

I know, I know, farmers are not in the business of rearing pets. I mean, my husband tends to the poultry raised on the farm, but those chickens are birds that I’ve never quite connected with. I prefer to spend more time with the dairy cows and calves. Besides, 10 turkeys are different to a barn full of free-rangers. Our chickens leave the farm when they are ready to be processed and the next time we see them they are roasting in the oven.

My turkeys are different. And I am finding it difficult to cope with the fact that I will be personally escorting them to their private undertaker in just a matter of weeks and walking away with packages of Aga-ready dinners.

On top of all the emotion, I keep having a strong impulse to urge all meat eaters that they should have to raise and butcher an animal at least once in their lifetime. But then I question myself: why force this issue? Yes, it is true that more people (especially newer generations) should know where their meat comes from and how it is raised, but I’m not sure having to go through such measures is practical or necessary. Nor, if I am honest, will it help the uneasiness with my endeavour.

On the other hand, our eight-year-old son seems to have no qualms about it. The same goes for all the animals he has met that are being reared for food. He’s very pragmatic about it all, saying these animals have a purpose and we are giving them a good life while we can.

He’s right, but can someone please pass the tissues?