Behind the Scenes at a Slaughterhouse | Large Animals like Beef and Bison | The Bearded Butchers

Bearded Butcher Scott Perkins explains the various slaughterhouse operations that take place behind the scenes at Whitefeather Meats.

Scott explains a knockbox and how to kill a cow under USDA inspection with full humane handling certification. The Whitefeather Meats slaughter process passes its humane handling certification on schedule and all animals are treated with the utmost respect and care. Every ounce of meat harvested from our animals are used to feed animals and families across Northeast Ohio and the rest of the country.

This video is for informational purposes only. Scott is a highly trained butcher with more than 20 years of experience as a butcher and with strictly regulated USDA policies and procedures. No animals were harmed or implied to be harmed for this video. Being a butcher is extremely dangerous and animals are unpredictable. Please do not attempt anything described in this video.

[mattbrown]

If anyone is still not sure how they feel about this process I would love to see how many people would be willing to let people in the facility and see how the process works. Thank you Bearded Butchers for being transparent.

[chrisfisher]

Thank you for your human and compassionate approach to your work. No suffering, just quick and clean. Thank you.

[lotcaue]

This class is second only to my year 8 high school learning back in 1988. When at 13 years old during an agriculture class excursion to the affiliated working farm that demonstrated first hand the slaughter of a sheep. I didn’t think anything of it. Not everyone did I heard decades later. Apparently it didn’t go down so well with some of my class mates.
Since I’ve matured I appreciate the lesson even more. I feel an absolute respect and appreciation for an animal whose life I take so mine can continue.
This channel gives insight into something controversial to some yet ultimately informs, educates and genuinely garners respect not for us but for the lives of those animals that we take so that our lives can continue. If this video doesn’t generate some vegans at at the least vegetarians I would be surprised but ultimately I would understand and respect that response. I respect the production of this video most of all.
Thank you for sharing the opportunity to consider this aspect of meat consumption.

[jeanhawken]

Here in Australia we sell live animals to Asia. A large number die from inhumane treatment on the boats then there is the cruel slaughterhouse processes when they land. All in the name of culture. To see the care the bearded butchers provide that includes Temple Grandin’s advice is gold standard. Wish we had more of the same.

[NeutralGenericUser]

I love how humane and cruelty free this whole process is. This is exactly why you need to support local farmers and not factory farms that inhumanely raise these animals and drag them through a cruel, painful end of life process. Thank you so much for this excellent video. You guys are awesome!

[timblack]

This is a great education for knowing where your food comes from. Support your local small farms, they do it right and taste so much better. Worth the extra few bucks.

[rhondakeller]

This is so good to see. My husband has been in the beef industry for over 40 years and even he said that your videos are accurate and educational. This is a great way to show the public what actually goes on in a beef plant. Thanks for putting a good spotlight on the beef industry. 👍🏻

[Kfish]

The hat tip to Temple Grandin is noteworthy. Thanks for the transparent overview of beef and bison slaughter for food. This is much needed in our education system presently.

[billmeriwether]

I come from 4 generations of cattle raisers - I have been on multiple cattle drives covering sections of land. I have worked cattle pens and squeeze chutes. We branded, vaccinated, dehorned, castrated, ear tagged, and sprayed. I am amazed at your set up. One thing that would happen when you would open the head gate - some animals would try to jump completely through (no matter how small the opening) and get front legs caught up in the squeeze. This problem was compounded with the drop style tail gate in which the trailing animal would lower their head, raise up and join the primary animal in the chute. This work created long wonderful days. I am quite grateful for the experience. I don’t think it’s financially feasible anymore and my sons had little interest. I understand, it’s their choice, so we only lease now. However, “back in the day” it was rewarding. Thanks for the presentation and bringing me back!

[natetallman]

The cost of eating meat (which I'm a fan of) should be known by everyone. People are too insulated about where their food comes from. They should be more attentive and in tune with the fact that something had to die to sustain them. Meat is a gift and should be produced and consumed honorably. Thanks for the great video.

[crisrodriguez]

This video was sobering to watch. I do feel bad for the animals, but recognize and appreciate the efforts to make it as painless and humane as possible. I also value the mental fortitude required by the persons effecting the slaughter. This is an important video that everyone should watch. Thank you for posting this.

[jean-mariehendricks]

I know this 2 years old, but I still feel the need to comment.

First off, hats off for your compassionate and humane treatment of the animals. As an animal lover, it's hard for me to see or think of an animal suffering in any way. So seeing that these animals are quickly dispatched and dont suffer any pain is a tremendous relief for me.

Second, this gives me a new appreciation for the life and sacrifice animals make for us humans to survive.

Finally, I appreciate and respect the educational and openness of the Bearded Brothers and Whitefeather Meats practices, with regards to slaughter and butchering of the animals we eat and enjoy. I personally think this education is vital for all of us to learn and understand. Its a reminder that we all should have respect for the animals whose lives are sacrificed for our own.

Thank you. ❤❤

[kath]

In behalf of the animals: Thank you for being aware of stress, and dispatching quickly. You have a heart.

[solinvictus]

These guys are just like my local farmer and butcher friends, here in Norway. The only thing different is the language. Real pros

[jonna]

I've been a butcher for over 30 years and worked in slaughter houses. U guys are doing an awesome job explaining how things are done. Props

[texicanwife]

Thank you for treating these animals as humanely as possible. I visited a slaughterhouse in 2005, and was never so sick as that day. And I grew up on a farm, and was never bothered by butchering in the fall. And we butchered our own animals. But what I witnessed in 2005 turned me into a vegetarian. I have been an advocate for mistreated animals ever since. What I witnessed went beyond abuse. It was horrible. I moved back home the following winter, and was enraged to find that there was a turkey farm now in the community. They also abused their animals. They were shut down the next year by someone going in under cover and getting a job there, and taking videos of the day to day. Again, it was horrible. So, again, thank you for the humane treatment of these animals. God Bless.

[seasonschange]

I especially like your attitude towards the Animals we consume
Being compassionate and caring is very important. They nourish our bodies and we owe them the best life they can have and their last Day needs to be as painless and quick as it can be. Thank you for doing what's right for them.

[deniseshephard]

Thank you Sir for not just being honest in what you do but also treating the beautiful animals with the respect and dignity they deserve

[wheezy-c]

Really appreciate y’all goin over this step and showin your methods to keep this process as humane as possible. No one ever wants to know how the cow gets to the plate. But I think it’s important for us to know and understand as carnivores. Great job homies!

[perryhughes]

As a 6th generation beef producer I appreciate you explaining the process. We care about and respect these animals...they aren't just a source of income