Butchering single chicken without cone, needing advice

[humblehillsfarm]

I got him out of the coop this morning. He’s a sweet boy. Such a shame the neighbors decided against taking him in. I’m still working on psyching myself up.

 

[deidreg]

Been following. We're here for you.

 

[iwltfum]

rooster are misunderstood creatures there the one most forgotten and killed ones there the ones who fight to protect there flock they even die while doing it egg farms usually kill gas and grind male chicks they suffocate them in trash bags its not his fault he was born a male and cannot lay eggs its not his fault his hormones hits its god decisions the next time you look to a male you will undertsand the leader the one who is in charge of the flock the most killed unwanted fighters that do what they can to protect if a rooster fights you its okay hes is doing it out of self love for his flock if a rooster harms a hen he dose not have a complex brain enough to logically think hes just doing what first though is he dose not control it nor is it his fault you wanna kill a rooster why everyone wants to right? your not a bad person and im not telling you what to do im just saying it for me you could separate him usually rooster will get along great if there is no hens you can live him to someone that sees what rooster is there are also lots of sanctuary in the country area and suburban next time you sit down to a rooster think of all thiese things and most roosters hardly make life because everyone wants one rooster and they others die sierosly sorry my grammars bad

Ahh I'm sorry, but this reasoning is atrocious. This is like not eating a cauliflower because of how amazing it is that it can grow from just a tiny seed and form a beautiful nutritious ball of goodness. Yes it's beautiful and amazing and incredible and deserves a feeling of amazement at it's life, but I'm still going to eat it. Would you ask a mountain lion to starve because deer are too conscious and wonderful to be killed? I've seen your name pop up here on the meat bird forum before - always trying to get people to not eat their chickens and trying to convince them to give them away to someone. This chicken is the result of someones hard earned money, hard work, dedication, and mindfulness. They deserve to benefit from that.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

He weighed 3 lbs 6 oz dressed out, not including feet, liver, and gizzard. I didn’t cut as smoothly as I would have liked. He was so calm and died slower than I was hoping, but for my first time I feel it went well. I cried like a baby and my right leg started unexpectedly bouncing around uncontrollably. I don’t have any regrets, but I don’t imagine my reaction will get any easier in the future. Thank you all for your support.

 

[AntiqueB]

I've been following. I'm glad it went well for you.

Hugs for the emotions.

High five for doing it well.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

It probably will not get easier for you, as much as you build stress and expectation before the act. That probably makes you a good human, certainly more empathic than me. But the fact that your worries did not overcome your willingness to act demonstrates valued character traits as well.

Skill will grow with practice, so you can confidently butcher in the knowledge that your bird had a good life, with a brief, clean, and humane end.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I've been following. I'm glad it went well for you.

Hugs for the emotions.

High five for doing it well.

It probably will not get easier for you, as much as you build stress and expectation before the act. That probably makes you a good human, certainly more empathic than me. But the fact that your worries did not overcome your willingness to act demonstrates valued character traits as well.

Skill will grow with practice, so you can confidently butcher in the knowledge that your bird had a good life, with a brief, clean, and humane end.

Thank you all! I was surprised that I even slept last night because I laid in bed thanking about him for a long time before falling asleep. I just wanted things to go well for both of us. Emotions are still running wild right now though. Whew.

I did wrap him with a towel and held him in my lap as the woman did in the video posted on the first page of replies. I actually think the broomstick method would probably be better for the chicken, but I’m not sure I could do it just yet.

 

[Xouie]

He weighed 3 lbs 6 oz dressed out, not including feet, liver, and gizzard. I didn’t cut as smoothly as I would have liked. He was so calm and died slower than I was hoping, but for my first time I feel it went well. I cried like a baby and my right leg started unexpectedly bouncing around uncontrollably. I don’t have any regrets, but I don’t imagine my reaction will get any easier in the future. Thank you all for your support. View attachment 2480707

Beautiful! You did a great job. Now my advice is for dinner: pizza. Or a giant salad. Or spaghetti. Something far removed from the process you’ve just completed. The chicken needs to rest in the fridge for a day anyway.

Speaking of... Have you decided a recipe? When we have a flock member to dispatch, it gets used in something extra tasty. It’s a way to well.... honor or celebrate the gift we received. That may be silly but it works for me.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Beautiful! You did a great job. Now my advice is for dinner: pizza. Or a giant salad. Or spaghetti. Something far removed from the process you’ve just completed. The chicken needs to rest in the fridge for a day anyway.

Speaking of... Have you decided a recipe? When we have a flock member to dispatch, it gets used in something extra tasty. It’s a way to well.... honor or celebrate the gift we received. That may be silly but it works for me.

Absolutely not silly at all! I’m going to brine him in a salt brine for four hours then rest in the fridge until Sunday. I will probably butterfly him where you cut the spine out and flatten out the breast for more even cooking. I have a dry rub recipe where you mix orange zest, thyme, sage, rosemary, and salt that’s always been a winner. I grow all of those herbs here. I still have some beans and potatoes from the garden. I feel serving foods I’ve grown is a good way to honor him. The very first time I cooked a chicken freshly dispatched, I didn’t do the aging process and I over roasted it. The meat was very rubbery. I felt awful about that but I’ve learned a lot since then so I’ll be a lot more careful.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

^^^ resting, for days, is a great recommend. I shoot for four days, actually. Gives you time to really consider your recipe plans.

and who doesn't love Pizza??? (Actually, a pizza w/ chicken, red onions, feta, green pepper, olives, and artichoke hearts, a bit of fresh basil...) OK, you don't need much chicken for that, and using dark meat helps ensure it stays moist in the heat of the oven. So, its a way of stretching that last thigh into a full meal.

and splitting the bird, then laying flat to help assure even cooking and browning? That's "spatchcocking". A technique which should be employed much more often than it is. Good call.