An Extra Step On B-Day

[Oregon Blues]

22 Cornish Cross into the freezer yesterday.

We've had some rain and some mud and the birds were not as clean as I'd like. So, we cut a 55 gallon blue plastic barrel in half and filled both halves with cold water. Birds were chopped and then dropped into the first bucket to soak. Then swished, then dropped into the second bucket to soak.

Two rinses and they were, if not clean, at least cleaner. The scalding water didn't get fouled and we were able to do all 22 with one tub of scalding water.

The cold water can be easily dumped and refilled when it gets muddy. It's not so easy to dump and refill the scalding water because it takes so much time to heat it up to the correct temperature.

 

[Life is Good!]

Great tip! Thanks!

 

[PotterWatch]

We have a large trash can that is dedicated to giving birds a swish after they have left the cone and before they go in the scald water. Definitely helps to keep the scald water cleaner.

 

[booker81]

I don't do a lot, but this is why I hose mine down before scalding Makes scalding much more endurable (especially since I scald in my kitchen).

 

[LilyD]

I don't do a lot, but this is why I hose mine down before scalding Makes scalding much more endurable (especially since I scald in my kitchen).

Definitely I agree I think if I were to want to rinse off my birds I would use the hose rather than a bucket personally just because all the dirt and poop would sit in the water and then get in the other chickens. I would be changing the water every chicken lol which is not very economical since I pay for my water.