Do you with hold feed before slaughter?

[litterbitt]

I don't mind a little food in the crop...it's easier to find and grab that way.

 

[Lorije1]

Ok maybe dumb question - but if you are already doing the 12/12 feeding, wouldn't they already be accustomed to being without food during the night??

 

[donrae]

We've had some "spontaneous" butchering and it really wasn't bad. This usually happened mid-day, with free range birds who get fed morning and late afternoon. The crop had food in it, but not so much we couldn't pull it out and get a nice clean bird. Then again, I believe anything that touches the meat can be washed off, I'm not freaked by gastric contents touching the meat. Only thing is, I always feel it's a waste of feed........then again, some critter around here usually recycles it for me

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
Ya, that's why I said just gather them at night. They are already used to not eating, it's not going to stress them too much. As soon as they wake up.... they are processed. By nine all of our birds are usually killed so it's not like they are sitting there are all day.