Butchering for the first time today

[mradam]

You don't need courage, just borrow some from this board, that's what I did! It wasn't as bad as I feared. And it was VERY interesting (in a good way) once the skinning and quartering up began. Kinda neat then.

 

[Cyberous]

You did good!

I agree on the sharp knife. I did a test run on an old RIR and I THOUGHT it was sharp but not even close. I purchased a NEW box cutter for the deed on my next batch.

Are you going to let it rest before eating?

Don

 

[JenEric Farms]

Quote:
Maybe I will give a go for the fall...maybe...

 

[MagicNoodles88]

I just tell my neighbor to do it xD ....the face they had on when I asked them... they were like wow..we live next to a crazy lady!!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

great job!

i kinda snickered when you said you did it where you neighbors couldnt see. my buddy that i farm with uses his kid's swingset for hanging when he butchers.. we always got kind of a laugh about that. his wife doesnt think its funny AT ALL

glad that you did it and that you found out that its not as bad as you imagine. i'm spreading the word for folks who think they cant do it. oh yes. you can.

 

[mradam]

I heard to let it rest in cooler w/ ice or refrigerator for a day or two. Does that sound about right?

 

[mradam]

HA!
I thought about the swing set. I nixed the idea because of the blood cleanup and 3 neighbors nearby... plus the misses hadn't approved of it.

 

[Southerngirl]

Another great tip if you are processing a bunch is to purchase some of those rubbermaid containers. We fill them with ice and water and stick them by the airconditioner to rest. Great job !!!!! The first time is always the hardest because you are "learning" what works for you.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

swing set works like a dream! my hubby and my buddy are both 6'4 ish so its the perfect height for them. we did 3 turks and 2 lambs last winter and it was great - his kids helped and they are 4 and 6. you might be surprised by your kids... its more interesting than anything and a good chance to learn. however, YOUR wife might have a stroke...or who knows, she might stand in the 'splash zone' like me
;-)

 

[mradam]

Yeah, my wife wasn't interested in coming back and watching, but she looked at the pictures and wasn't grossed out. The kids had a doctor appt today so they were gone for most of it. I told my son what had taken place and he was like "Yeah, OK. When can we have a snack." Didn't bother him at all.

Funny thing: When I carried the meat birds back, one at a time as I needed them, my egg layers were strangely enough absent, hiding in the coop... kinda like they knew something wasn't right.