Did it, processed 3 non laying hens

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Didn't know if I could really process the 3 non laying hens, but I did it today. Thanked them each for the eggs they had given and for the meat they are providing. Did get the process done before rigor started. Took me about an hour on 2 birds, abut 45 minutes on the last one.
Have them in a cooler covered with ice. Hubby said he didn't want to look at them in the frig. Asked him if he was going to be able to eat them? He replied I guess. I thought he would have an easier time with it than me. But apparently not. Of course as a kid I watched chickens being processed, and watched my dad clean the ducks and pheasants he hunted. Hubby was never exposed to that.

 

[Wezdin]

They always go to auction when they get old in my flock, good job doing it for yourself.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

They always go to auction when they get old in my flock, good job doing it for yourself.

Have no idea where the livestock auction is around here. I tried to give them away. A person called said they wanted them but was a no show.
The six 9.5 week olds (be 10 weeks Thursday) are ready to be intigrated. They have been in see no touch since 4 weeks old. Going to see how the year old acts the next day or two, she is the only one left on the other side of the barrier. She hadn't paid any attention to them since the first week of the see but no touch. That might change now.

 

[Perris]

well done; the first is a real challenge for most of us I think. And good luck with the integration

 

[Doublete]

Better you than me... I can’t do it... my neighbor and their nephew will have to help in an emergency or they’ll go to the Amish..

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

well done; the first is a real challenge for most of us I think. And good luck with the integration

I put it off as long as I could, even tried to give them away. Had 1 call saying he wanted them. Was a no show. So I bucked up and did it. Probably helped that I didn't raise them from chicks. They were given to me a year ago. They ran the 5 acres, having to forage for themselves. No feed was provided, only feed they got was when I would throw them what seed the parrot wouldn't eat. They were very skinny and feathers looked bad. They had a very good, happy loving last year.
Thank You for the nice words and good luck with integration. Shouldn't be too bad 6 chicks to 1 hen. And they have had the see no touch for almost 6 weeks.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Better you than me... I can’t do it... my neighbor and their nephew will have to help in an emergency or they’ll go to the Amish..

Think it helped that I didn't raise them from chicks. Took them in a year ago. They were in horrible shape. They had a good happy year with us.
Also probably helped that my dad, brothers and I hunted. Dad did all the cleaning and we helped. My dad's father had chickens. They processed chicken for their little country cafe. Processing was done every weekend. Chickens ages were spread out for that. I was exposed to the life cycle from a young age.
Now hubby is a different story. No exposure at all. He doesn't want to see them in the frig . Told him it is no different than buying a whole chicken in the store. We just know they were fed properly, and had good care.

 

[Doublete]

That is helpful! I’ve never done it and won’t start on my babies lol