Butchering for first time- tips?

[The Golden Egg5]

Ohhhh that should be fine....it gets dark earlier, as long as you have a lighted area to see to clean the carcass...don't cut your finger off! I'm not a night owl.

Haha! Just as I’m not an early bird. I think I will just clean him in the kitchen. With 3 kids, a bird shouldn’t be much more than what has to be cleaned everyday anyways! I’ll do my best to keep all my fingers intact

 

[BantyChooks]

He is done. Everything went well. He died quickly and painlessly with little stress. We plucked him quickly and started on cleaning him up. His crop was a bit challenging because 1. It was huge! Super full of food. 2. We weren’t sure what we were looking for. Also the intestines broke when piling everything out and it smelled up the house. Other than those things, everything went well. I would change a couple things next time, for example, I would not let them have feed 24 hours before. He is resting in the refrigerator and should go in the freezer on Monday. I’m just glad it’s over and I don’t have to stress about it anymore.
View attachment 1149284
Finished bird
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Kidney and heart. They seemed really healthy, so now I know I’m not over feeding treats.
Overall it was a success and he helped feed my family.

Great job!! I'm proud of you.

 

[BantyChooks]

You're helping motivate me to take care of my extras...

 

[BantyChooks]

Yes, that might be an easier way to go. I feel it might be less traumatic for both of us as well.

Yup. If you miss the first time it just makes it harder.

I think it's better than the throat slit as well.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Do you have pipe cutters and a feed bag? You can cut the corner off the bag, stick his head through, and cut it off with the cutters. Less chance of missing due to shaky hands.

Agree with this BC comment. My husband will ring the necks or stump and machete method. We keep the whole bird if they are big ( after their blood has drained, boil water in a big pot and dunk the whole bird in and then dunk it in a big pot of ice water to pluck the feathers then clean all the insides out of them, them clean them off inside and press and seal and freeze) or just breast them out if they are to small.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

I am now doing it tomorrow when I have more time to set up and get everything ready so I don't have to do it in the dark.

 

[tk10]

Oops, also wanted to post the video.

 

[Feather Fanatic 2000]

I butcher any extra/mean roos and I must admit that the first time was incredibly painful. We use a sharpened hatchet and a large block of wood. A feed bag with a cut corner works really well and also keeps them from flailing around so much both before and after the deed is done. Putting them on their backs calms even the most ornery roosters, but the difficult part is getting them in that position when they are trying to fight you. Good luck and remember that you are doing the right thing. An aggressive rooster is both unacceptable and downright dangerous.

 

[RUNuts]

How did it go?

We did 7 last weekend. Opened the coop and took the ones as they came down the ramp. Lots of posts and hints and tricks. Just takes time figuring out how you want to do it.

Best wishes! And be proud that you decided to do it yourself.

 

[Sara Ranch]

*hugs* It won't be easy, but once done, it's done.

Consider covering the chickens eyes first? I do that to calm chickens that are having a tough time (in general).