The Chicken Farm

This past weekend during my personal time, I visited
a chicken farm on the island of Alibah. A one hour
boat ride from Mumbai, and then a jeep drive to the
chicken farm's location. I got to see the process of
preparing live chickens for human consumption (as well
as fish food, as to not waste any by-products) under
the supervision of the Chabbad Rabbi from Mumbai, Rabbi
Gavriel Holtzberg.
I participated in inspecting each chicken to insure
it did not have broken bones, and therefore deem it
kosher. A kosher chicken must have been fully
healthy while it was alive. Therefore, if a chicken
had a bone that was obviously broken while it was
alive, it could not be kosher. These bones are easily
noticable even after the chicken is not alive anymore.
Other kashrut ("koshering") requirements include a
specific way to cut its throat, salting the chicken,
and other preparation and cleansing details.
I have never witnessed an animal being slaughtered
before. It was a very graphic experience, but very
educational as well. I can now appreciate eating
chicken that much more, by fully seeing the process it
takes to go from the coop to the dinner table.