Cull him, or wait for protection?

[Kglassmo]

Personally, I would kill him and make a pot of chicken soup.

Here's how I would do it:

--cut off the head to kill the bird

--after the body stops flapping, cut off the feet.

--for each wing, cut of the last two sections (lots of feathers, little meat)

--along the belly, where it meets the leg, pinch a fold of skin and stick a knife in to make a cut.

--start removing the skin: pull, rip, cut when it's stuck, keep at it until you've got the skin off.

--cut off the legs and the wings (they just need to be rinsed & aged, then cooked)

--carefully cut along each side of the bird, then pull the breast & back apart from each other. This opens up the inside so you can get all the guts out easily.

--remove the guts, trying not to cut any of it open. Make sure you cut around the vent to release it, remove the crop at the front, cut out the oil sack near the tail.

--optional, keep the heart/liver/gizzard. (Liver and gizzard require a bit of special cleaning/trimming.)

--if you do cut the guts by mistake, just rinse extra well after you are done. If it looks clean, and you cook it thoroughly, it should be fine.

--follow any instructions you like for resting the bird and cooking into chicken soup or a similar recipe.

Yes, a lot of work for a little meat.

 

[NatJ]

Yes, a lot of work for a little meat.

I think it takes me about 10 minutes per bird, not counting setup/cleanup.

 

[Kglassmo]

Personally, I would kill him and make a pot of chicken soup.

Here's how I would do it:

--cut off the head to kill the bird

--after the body stops flapping, cut off the feet.

--for each wing, cut of the last two sections (lots of feathers, little meat)

--along the belly, where it meets the leg, pinch a fold of skin and stick a knife in to make a cut.

--start removing the skin: pull, rip, cut when it's stuck, keep at it until you've got the skin off.

--cut off the legs and the wings (they just need to be rinsed & aged, then cooked)

--carefully cut along each side of the bird, then pull the breast & back apart from each other. This opens up the inside so you can get all the guts out easily.

--remove the guts, trying not to cut any of it open. Make sure you cut around the vent to release it, remove the crop at the front, cut out the oil sack near the tail.

--optional, keep the heart/liver/gizzard. (Liver and gizzard require a bit of special cleaning/trimming.)

--if you do cut the guts by mistake, just rinse extra well after you are done. If it looks clean, and you cook it thoroughly, it should be fine.

--follow any instructions you like for resting the bird and cooking into chicken soup or a similar recipe.

I guess I’ve autopsied way to many chickens in my day. Just so much work, guts. hard to forget that Stink.
I keep chickens for egg production, breeding and hobby now. And teach my 4 children good poultry husbandry. My oldest is going to major in genetics this fall. Based on some cool new poultry breeding we’ve been seeing.

 

[Kglassmo]

I think it takes me about 10 minutes per bird, not counting setup/cleanup.

So my background, as microbiologist I specialized in poultry- USDA- specifically human pathogens transmitted by poultry. my focus was Campylobacter jejuni, a little know human pathogen that causes intestinal distress and long term effects including Guillan Barre syndrome. Most people only think of salmonella or E. Coli as potential pathogens. I’ve processed, dissected and autopsied 1,000s of poultry, so just not my thing anymore after I retired from that. I decided to go into genetic studies instead and have a small hobby flock for my family now. I use my poultry experience to help others. Much love.

 

[tripletfeb]

Seriously, just kill the bird and get over it. Either dump the body in the garbage or eat it. Either way, it's needs done. 4 weeks ago

 

[tripletfeb]

When two of my pullets were bullying another pullet and would not stop, off with their heads! I don't have time to deal with chickens that can't play nice. They are a dime a dozen. Might sound mean to some but hey, I don't really care. My flock is a lot less stressed now and so am I

 

[Kglassmo]

When two of my pullets were bullying another pullet and would not stop, off with their heads! I don't have time to deal with chickens that can't play nice. They are a dime a dozen. Might sound mean to some but hey, I don't really care. My flock is a lot less stressed now and so am I

To each their own. There are typically less humane regulations for chickens/poultry than mice/rats used for research purposes. The way commercial chickens are treated can be brutal, with no humanity...after a while it gets to you. I’ve tried my best over 30 years to curb that mindset by educating others. Chickens are not bacteria. They do have feelings. They see colors. They sense smell. Not all chickens are bred for meat. Some are beautiful, intelligent creatures. Depends on breed. Brahmas, Cochins are smart and loving...they hop up, sit on your lap to be petted like dogs. Can live to be 10+ years old. Lay eggs for ~6 yrs, tho of course it slows down. Cochins are good broody hens. Great mother hens.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Seriously, just kill the bird and get over it. Either dump the body in the garbage or eat it. Either way, it's needs done. 4 weeks ago

I agree somewhat. He needs to go. But as an avid hunter, us country folk are taught to respect our harvests and not waste potential food. An aggressive rooster is no different. He's food. Throwing him in the trash is a bit immoral to me, not necessarily mean. I'm just inexperienced and overwhelmed with the process. Not to mention overwhelmed with finding the time to do it that works for me. I just figured giving him to someone who has the time and means to whack & eat him, or someone who may get better use out of him, it would save me the headache. I have no issue with culling him, im just overwhelmed and tend to push stuff to the side that overwhelms me.

 

[Kglassmo]

I agree somewhat. He needs to go. But as an avid hunter, us country folk are taught to respect our harvests and not waste potential food. An aggressive rooster is no different. He's food. Throwing him in the trash is a bit immoral to me, not necessarily mean. I'm just inexperienced and overwhelmed with the process. Not to mention overwhelmed with finding the time to do it that works for me. I just figured giving him to someone who has the time and means to whack & eat him, or someone who may get better use out of him, it would save me the headache. I have no issue with culling him, im just overwhelmed and tend to push stuff to the side that overwhelms me.

Try to use Craig’s list or other social media to rehome or repurpose him to save yourself the headache, stress and extra work. If you’re a young parent of two little ones you’re already super busy!!

 

[tripletfeb]

I agree somewhat. He needs to go. But as an avid hunter, us country folk are taught to respect our harvests and not waste potential food. An aggressive rooster is no different. He's food. Throwing him in the trash is a bit immoral to me, not necessarily mean. I'm just inexperienced and overwhelmed with the process. Not to mention overwhelmed with finding the time to do it that works for me. I just figured giving him to someone who has the time and means to whack & eat him, or someone who may get better use out of him, it would save me the headache. I have no issue with culling him, im just overwhelmed and tend to push stuff to the side that overwhelms me.

I'm a hunter too. Born and raised in the country. That's one of the reasons I said I don't have time for livestock that bullys. We would never accept that on our farm. From the chickens up to the cows, if you don't get along, you go. Give the bird to someone else to butcher if that's what you need to do. Just do it. Your children depend on you to keep them safe. Keeping the cockerel is not keeping your children safe. I only said to trash the body because it sounded like the butchering was what was holding you back. I misunderstood and apologize if I offended. But it really does need to be done