Cornish game hen processing question

[gottsegnet]

We only recently found out that the little game hens are the same as the big ones, just processed younger. My children think it would be a great idea to raise some for Christmas. They love having their own personal chicken.

Question is, how much harder are they to process? We will have done two batches by the time we would be ready to consider this, but it would be a nice holiday meal.

 

[silkiechicken]

They are about the same, just a bit cramped if you want to get your hand inside. But not nearly as cramped as trying to gut a quail!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Double post

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I use two fingers... it took two of us about 3 hours to do 150... so it was super easy compared to fryers. I could pluck 20 at a time which was pretty cool. Not to mention they taste amazing.

 

[gottsegnet]

Ok, that picture may be all the encouragement I need. We have this batch to slaughter and then a batch to raise for 4H, but then I think I'll raise a batch for this.

Yum! Thanks!

 

[danicmeyer]

150 in 3 hours! Wow!

Considering doing cornish game hen's instead of full grown chickens. You would say they are easier/faster to process than an older bird?

Can you give some info on your process you use? We are total newbies

Thanks!

Dani

 

[itsy]

How many weeks are they at cornish size? Looks delish!

 

[Roccomanchickens]

My cornish X were about 3 - 4 weeks when i processed them for game hens. I got 50 chicks and processed 10 at 3 1/2 weeks, 10 at 4 weeks. Unfortunately I lost 12 last week to the heat, and had to process 6 unexpectedly. I have 9 left and will wait for them to get to the 8 lb target. They are really easy to process at 4 weeks, just be careful when you dip them in the hot water to pluck them. They only need about 3 seconds to loosen the feathers (or less if the water is almost boiling). They are wonderful roasted.

Great idea to cook them for Christmas