advice for first-time processor

[jennydunning]

Hi out there. My husband and I have 6 Cackles Reds to process and this is our first time. Any advice about equipment? We plan to use a cone and a plucker you hook up to a drill. Are wondering if the 24-finger version is worth the extra money? Any other advice? Thanks.

Jenny & Steve

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My best advice is extremely sharp knives. Watch YouTube videos and have ice buckets, hoses, and towels available.

 

[cafrhe]

Joel Salatin videos are pretty good. There was also one by a kid who had apprenticed at the Salatin farm who made a good video of the whole process.

I have seen a few which include the killing of the chicken--that is something you need to be familiar with.

We raised birds last year and sent them out to be processes. We only had to kill 2 ourselves. This year we are processing on farm. We did our first batch of 10 meaties plus 5 extra roosters. We use a cone and cut the carotids. It seems pretty non traumatic. The plucking was awful...I had bought the $76.00 drill plucker attachment and it was ok, but there was still so much to do by hand. It made it a much longer day than was necessary. We will be doing batches of 15 every other week or so....and after this 1st experience, we ordered a Yardbird plucker.

We use a Havalon knife with a changeable blade for killing and another brand of sharp knife for eviscerating (forget which brand). Sharp knives are vital.

Ice in a garbage can or large bucket for chilling the carcasses asap after processing. garbage can for throw away parts and bowl/s for the keep parts. Freezer bags if you are freezing.

Good luck!

 

[greenfeathers]

I did my first 3 a couple weeks ago. Two mutt roosters I got free and a buff rock from my flock. I skinned them since I don't eat the skin anyway. Used a cone and cut the neck. Sharp knife and a quick cut.

3rd bird took me longer to catch than to process.

 

[cafrhe]

greenfeathers reminded me (catching the last one means it was loose!)----fast them for 12 hours or it will be more unpleasant than you want. I pick up their food in the evening and then process early morning. Leave the water in, but you want the chickns to be empty when you process them. I also pull their tractor onto a tarp so they cant eat grass.

For my extra roosters, they stay where they live overnight and then I take them out of the coop before letting everyone loose and put them in a dog crate in a quiet place until I am ready for them.