Butchering about 8 hours after last feeding

[Heather01]

I decided to butcher a couple of younger roosters today, however, they did get some feed in this morning before I made my decision. Is it best to wait until tomorrow, or is their digestive tract likely cleaned out enough to butcher later today?
I am a doing this for the first time, so any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Ridgerunner]

When people hunt wild ducks, geese, or pheasant they do not withhold food before they shoot them and clean them. That just would not work.

I personally do not withhold food before I butcher. If I have any accidents I jut rinse very well and keep going. Some people withhold food so the digestive tract is empty. A few even feed them shortly before they butcher them, they say it helps find the crop for easier removal. I haven't had that problem. We all do these things differently.

I've never done that but I'd think 8 hours would be long enough to clean them out pretty well.

 

[Heather01]

When people hunt wild ducks, geese, or pheasant they do not withhold food before they shoot them and clean them. That just would not work.

I personally do not withhold food before I butcher. If I have any accidents I jut rinse very well and keep going. Some people withhold food so the digestive tract is empty. A few even feed them shortly before they butcher them, they say it helps find the crop for easier removal. I haven't had that problem. We all do these things differently.

I've never done that but I'd think 8 hours would be long enough to clean them out pretty well.

I appreciate your response- thank you so much! I do feel better now about butchering today.

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

I can’t help you because Ive never butchered a chicken and could never bring myself to do so. Good luck!

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

I can’t help you because Ive never butchered a chicken and could never bring myself to do so. Good luck!

Same I could never do that. I love them to much

 

[Heather01]

I can’t help you because Ive never butchered a chicken and could never bring myself to do so. Good luck!

I understand- one of the chickens I got from the farm store is obviously a meat chicken (and a roo besides) and the other is also a roo. These are two chicks that were supposed to be sexed, and no on in my area needs/wants roosters so the best thing is to feed my family with them.

 

[Heather01]

Same I could never do that. I love them to much

I understand- one of the chickens I got from the farm store is obviously a meat chicken (and a roo besides) and the other is also a roo. These are two chicks that were supposed to be sexed, and no on in my area needs/wants roosters so the best thing is to feed my family with them.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I don't withhold food - mine are free ranging till the moment I grab them up and head for the butcher station and the hanging scale. As @Ridgerunner said, just hose real well and you'll be fine.

I found this link to be useful the first time I butchered. I don't do it quite that way, but still, I found it helpful reference.

Do recommend you sharpen you knife till its SHARP! not Sharp, sharp or worst of all sHArP, but truly SHARP! A good cutting board you can bleach, a table you can bleach, some plastic baggies for sorting parts, and a good source of clean running water. All your friends.

The only green thing you can't just easily wash away is attached to the liver. Be very very careful there - that stuff is radioactive. (not really, but NOT good eats) The rest you can pretty well manhandle rather roughly and fix later with a hose.

Fortune favor your endeavor, may their passing be quick and painless.