So, after a good amount of Vodka

I butchered my first quail... Thanks to the vodka I felt pretty confidant, I knew I was raising these birds for meat, and I knew I'd have to be the one who does the dispatching because DH said it's YOUR hobby, you do it... So I did. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be! My only regret is that my kitchen shears are apparently a little dull... I did the bop and top meathod, but it took me 4 cuts!! and the poor guy seemed to know...

Well anyways, I'm sure I'll be a little less clumsy next time, and for tonight, Our first taste of quail!!

The closer you get to the head with the shears the better it seems to work that and as soon as you cut if you squeeze 2-3 times they bleed out a little better/quicker I skin mine because it is a lot quicker for me this way as I skin and clean I toss them into a cooler of ice water. I usually do 8-10 at a time.

vodka... i should try that..
my quails are "ripe" but haven't had the guts to try it yet..
i bet quail meat is delish how was it?

How did it taste?

Sorry your first experience was a little rough. We went with the hatchet method, but are thinking of switching to snips for the next one. Glad to get a little extra advice on that score, because it's awful if it doesn't go quite right.

Our experience was great--very quick and easy. Totally worth it. So for anyone who is "working up the guts," just do it. It's really not bad at all. We kept ours in a carry case facing *away* from the action, and took them out one at a time. They had no idea it was coming and then it was over. We'll be doing it again in a couple weekends, with a larger group this time.

Just make sure your tools are sharp. We love our Spyderco sharpening set--it sharpens everything from kitchen knives to hatchets to saws and razor blades and scissors and snips--anything with a sharp edge--and it really does give a razor sharp edge if you want it to, and it's quick and easy. It even works if you have a long-overdue job with nicks and gouges in the blade (the way our hatchet looked before we got the Spyderco). Comes with a little instructional video that shows you how to do all the unusual shapes and types of blades. And it's simple enough that even the kids sharpen their pocket knives on it (even my six-year-old can do it).

So, sharpen your tools, and go do it. Quail is yummy.

Good job!

My first bird went about like yours . . .
The 2nd, I moved really close to the head, like aprophet said.

The skin tears and peels right off!

Come grab a few chukars, my treat for your nice words on the pickled eggs post!
Dont tell the hub

Quote:
must be time to pop a few more eggs in the incy

I don't think I could ever do what you guys do being grown adults with buying meat from other people and never have even experienced someone process an animal. I'm a youth and I sure am happy I grew up with different animals being processed around me... just did 2 rabbits the other day in like 6 minutes it was pretty crazy.

Quote:
I find with my Darling Daughter that she is absolutly OK with it all as long as "MINE DONT GET EATED!"

But as they all look pretty much the same her quail are the friendliest of the breeders. "THAT ones MINE!" she declares FIRMLY when ever one lets her pick it up

Oh, and as to taste?

They taste GREAT!!!

And NOT LIKE CHICKEN

I use most anything that comes to hand to take the heads off really, garden snips or sissors uaually. And dull isnt a problem as long as the neck bones go crunch. I know they struggle but as long as the neck is broken or severed the head is dead, even if bits of skin keep it on.................

All that sounds a bit grim now that I read it but its really quite easy to kill and process quail, just remember to bop their heads on the edge of your counter so they stiffen up. Makes it all MUCH easier!