So glad to day was over with. It was as a long day. After running all of my errands, I started processing some of the broilers. My goal was to process 1/3 of them but that didn't work out. We had spurts of rain and drizzle all day, so I wasn't able to stay outside too long. However, I was able to process 4 birds which was ok with me.
I picked out 4 of the broilers that looked to be the size that I wanted. Not too big and not too small. I didn't get the largest ones because I want to see what their weight will be in another week or 2.
So, I picked out my 4. I used the same method that I did the last time as far as the pellet gun. I placed them in a medium size metal can and the bird fit perfect. I then placed the metal can in a feed sack and placed it in a milk crate. The purpose of the feed sack was to catch any blood if any.
Here's what I did.
This method had minimal blood shed.
I didn't even use the chicken plucker because I skinned them. Skinning took no time at all.
The weights were as follows:
Live Weight AND
Dressed Weight
4.43 lbs - 3.65 lbs
4.27 lbs - 3.47 lbs
3.87 lbs - 3.16 lbs
3.79 lbs - 2.98 lbs
Anyway, after skinning and cleaning, I did take pics of the breasts and leg quarters and weighed the breasts. I noticed that the back area had very little meat on it if any at all. So, I cut the backs and necks and will place them in a separate freezer bag and will cook them when I cook beans.
So here are pics and weights of the breasts with the wings on but there is very little meat on the wings.
1.32 lbs
1.39 lbs
1.47 lbs
1.55 lbs
Pic of the leg quarters. One of the leg quarters, you can see some of the back where there is little meat on it.
I will let the meat rest in the fridge for a couple of days, then I will bag the meat up and freeze it.
I'm hoping to get back out there tomorrow and try to do more.
I'm so ready to get this over with and be done with these broilers.
Oh, and they are drinking 11 gallons a water every single day.