I know some people use a box cutter with replaceable blade (razor blade) to ensure it stays sharp without actually having to sharpen - the ones that fold up like pocket knives. I think the scalpel would be similar. But the blades on the scalpels are pretty small, you'd need to make sure you're accurate and penetrate deeply enough.
I can't. I use a SHARP! knife to remove the head (which I hold in my hand) / [note I do NOT recommend my method for dispatching birds, too easy to make errors, and most aren't comfortable with the idea of decapitating something while they hold it (hanging upside down from the feet) in their hands. Basically, my hand functions as the "cone" for restraining the neck].
I don’t think I will give up on roasting but learn to pick ones I can. I’m glad I skinned my first bc the whole process for both didn’t take long and I just wanted to get my first out of the way. Thank you for the tip! I wanted to be able to try one in an air fryer since they are smaller.
Proud of youIt’s done. I took my BL first because he came right to me. He was so calm it made it sad. I did it myself and all alone for the first one even though I said I would make my fiancé do it. I carefully put him in the cone and then grabbed his legs and used electrical tape to wrap around his legs bc I was by myself and pulled the tape and wrapped it around the cone. Then I used the scalpel. Cut deep and clean through on both sides with of his carotid. Still held he’s neck and then grabbed his legs in case he started jumping. But he didn’t so it really made it worse emotionally, just quiet, me and him.
The EE I had help and I ended up cutting too bc my fiancé wanted to use a knife and I had watched so many videos of people having to saw and I didn’t have to with the scalpel. So I wouldn’t let him. And they are my birds and my responsibility to make it as painless as possible. The EE kicked a little bit unlike the BL.
Not gonna lie it sucked and I was even a medic for 20 years. But I raised them and the only reason I had to cull them is because I live in a covenant. They established no roosters or “nuisance animals.” I was surprised not a single person said anything about the crowing these past weeks but also not surprised. I did tell one person (there are only 10 property owners scattered a bit apart, we live in a forest). I told them that I did end up with some cockerels but I was going to make sure I made good use of their lives because my closet neighbor has an incessant barking dog and they don’t enforce the rules on that animal. So they can just bear it until I am ready.
The skinning was quite easier than I thought it would be. I followed the video that was posted. Both are resting in the fridge and it seems way to quiet around here now. My fiancé called me a mountain woman and quite surprised I had already done one before he got home. I took care in cleaning them as well and I’m proud of the life I was able to give them. RIP Squirrel and Poopy Butt.
It sounds like you did an excellent job!It’s done. I took my BL first because he came right to me. He was so calm it made it sad. I did it myself and all alone for the first one even though I said I would make my fiancé do it. I carefully put him in the cone and then grabbed his legs and used electrical tape to wrap around his legs bc I was by myself and pulled the tape and wrapped it around the cone. Then I used the scalpel. Cut deep and clean through on both sides with of his carotid. Still held he’s neck and then grabbed his legs in case he started jumping. But he didn’t so it really made it worse emotionally, just quiet, me and him.
The EE I had help and I ended up cutting too bc my fiancé wanted to use a knife and I had watched so many videos of people having to saw and I didn’t have to with the scalpel. So I wouldn’t let him. And they are my birds and my responsibility to make it as painless as possible. The EE kicked a little bit unlike the BL.
Not gonna lie it sucked and I was even a medic for 20 years. But I raised them and the only reason I had to cull them is because I live in a covenant. They established no roosters or “nuisance animals.” I was surprised not a single person said anything about the crowing these past weeks but also not surprised. I did tell one person (there are only 10 property owners scattered a bit apart, we live in a forest). I told them that I did end up with some cockerels but I was going to make sure I made good use of their lives because my closet neighbor has an incessant barking dog and they don’t enforce the rules on that animal. So they can just bear it until I am ready.
The skinning was quite easier than I thought it would be. I followed the video that was posted. Both are resting in the fridge and it seems way to quiet around here now. My fiancé called me a mountain woman and quite surprised I had already done one before he got home. I took care in cleaning them as well and I’m proud of the life I was able to give them. RIP Squirrel and Poopy Butt.
Thank you. I am new to chickens and as soon as I figured they were boys I tried to back off a little and not get attached. But as chicks the BL was my fav and the EE didn’t do well and pasted for weeks hence the name. I’m ready to bring in another 6 this spring and learn how to integrate.Proud of you
First ones are the hardest emotionally. Actually first one every year is harder than the rest. Never easy. I mainly eat cockerels and jakes that have hatched here.
