Advice on processing first chicken

[Buckeye Amy]

lol @BuckeyeAmy69 amy we were typing that at the same time

Great minds think alike!

 

[Pullet Press]

There's a local chicken farm that processes their own meat. I want to ask them if I can use their equipment to butcher some. I want to try to find some family members who want meat birds so I can raise some fresh organic meat.

 

[K0k0shka]

There's very little blood. Maybe a spoonful or two in the bucket after it's all bled out, and then once you start gutting there's no blood at all. Chickens aren't a very messy animal to butcher.

 

[3KillerBs]

I used the broomstick method. The only equipment I needed other than the same knives and scissors that I use in the kitchen to cut up grocery store chicken was a spare ax handle DH had bought at a yard sale in case he ever broke one.

Once you get them undressed it's just like a grocery store chicken.

Reading some threads on the meat bird forum might help you gain confidence.

 

[aart]

The link posted above is very good. Here's another one: https://ramblingredneckmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-process-chickens-at-home.html
Take your time and don't feel rushed. The hardest part is the first time you kill a bird. After that it gets easier. There's something about doing this yourself that really makes you feel connected to your animals, and your food.

That blog was one of the most helpful I found before my first slaughter, shows clearly where to slice and how to remove vent....tho it may not be as clear with a layer breed bird.