Put out to pasture

There is an old saying that I'm sure you've heard - "He had to be put out to pasture."  Some animals, like old workhorses, when they are unable to work or contribute due to old age or poor health, are taken away from their work and are literally put out to pasture to graze the rest of their lives away.  Oftentimes in humans, if someone is forcibly retired, it is figuratively referred to as "putting them out to pasture".

We have a 2004 Buick Rendezvous, that has 195,000 miles on her.  We affectionately call her Rhonda.  Well, she's been a good vehicle for us and has taken us on camping vacations in the Smoky Mountains and camping vacations in the Rocky Mountains.  She has faithfully served our family carrying us to and fro, from carrying us on family vacations to carrying bags of feed to our animals.  A real workhorse, if you will.

Rhonda

Rhonda developed a loud noise under the hood.  We took her to the auto repair shop and the shop foreman informed us that it was the transmission.  When I got the quote for repair, we realized that Rhonda had a terminal illness and was beyond economic repair.  Rhonda had to be put out to pasture.  We sold her to a junk dealer today and she was loaded up onto a car hauler and taken away.

Now, putting some animals, people or cars out to pasture is perceived to be a bad thing, but as far as cattle and poultry, being put out to pasture is a good thing!  Out in the pasture, animals can graze on nutritious grass and other forage, soak in the sunlight, breathe fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors the way God intended them to. 

Some cows are put in feedlots that don't have a blade of grass and spend their days standing in ankle deep cow poop. 

 

Here's the beef.  Where's the grass?

Some chickens never see the light of day and are raised in small cages, standing in their own feces.  I'd much rather my animals be out in the pasture!



Lynard Skynard sang a song called Freebird.  These are not Freebirds!

 Note the difference between the pullets on grass below and the poor chickens in cages above.  Which do you think is healthier?  Which condition is more humane?



Happy Pullets

 I like the fact that cows and chickens have plenty of fresh grass to eat. 



Content Cow

So the next time you hear the term "put out to pasture", in regard to the cows and chickens, it's a good thing!  If you want your food to be healthy and nutritious, that's exactly where you want them to be.