Dual purpose chickens?

[LovinThisFarmGirlLife]

Thank you all for your input!! I’m almost ready I think!! Just one more question...for now! How do you all kill them? Hubs says to just cut off their head. I was thinking more wring their neck like you do with ducks after you shoot them and they’re not “dead”.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

After you butcher them, they need to rest for 3 days before cooking. That gives enough time for the rigor mortis to release form the meat. The three days can be before freezing or after. But before you cook, lol.
And how you cook it makes a huge difference. If you stew it, don't boil it. Low simmer until tender, it makes a wonderful broth and tender chicken. If you want to roast it, cook it Low and Slow - low temperature for a longer time. For absolutely tender, delicious chicken, I prefer to pressure can the old ones.
If you roast it and it is tough, turn it into soup.

Pork and beef as well.

 

[bobbi-j]

Thank you all for your input!! I’m almost ready I think!! Just one more question...for now! How do you all kill them? Hubs says to just cut off their head. I was thinking more wring their neck like you do with ducks after you shoot them and they’re not “dead”.

We (and by "we" i mean DH) use the hatchet and stump method. We believe it's the fastest, most humane method. It's over in a second. If I were doing it myself, it would be with a killing cone and sharp knife. With the hatchet method, there is some flopping and flapping involved. They are dead. It's just nerve impulses firing.

 

[DaviJones]

I haven't butchered any of my birds but I've heard putting two nails in the stump or board or whatever you choose to use helps, it holds the head in place.

 

[BantyChooks]

Thank you all for your input!! I’m almost ready I think!! Just one more question...for now! How do you all kill them? Hubs says to just cut off their head. I was thinking more wring their neck like you do with ducks after you shoot them and they’re not “dead”.

I use non-ratcheting pipe cutters. If "Wringing the neck" refers to cervical dislocation, then that works too, but you'd better have a sturdy arm if you try it on a large DP cockerel. Broomstick method is a good one to research for said larger birds, but I much prefer bleeding them out.

Other methods of 'breaking the neck' break it farther down and so are not as humane. The bird ends up dead but it's slower IMO.

 

[BantyChooks]

Euthanasia
Here is a good read on killing birds.

 

[1ADAM12]

When I cull a bird I shoot it in the head. I have a .22 hand gun and it does the trick. I catch the bird and shoot it point blank. There is no flopping or running around. I find this to be the most humane but only if you have a gun!

 

[Mimi13]

I usually add 1-2 TB of water but it really doesn't make any difference. Most people and the National Canning website (can't remember real name) say not to use any liquids at all. Just meat and salt! (Salt optional). Don't worry about making nice cuts either as it will all come out like 'pulled chicken' since you are raw packing it. It will also make its own stock right in the jar while pressure canning.
So, to raw pack pressure can chicken I just: cut the meat off the bone directly after butchering, pack it tight into pint jars (about 14 oz of meat), throw in a teaspoon of salt, get bubbles out, clean rims, place lids and rings, and then pressure can.
It looks like dog food when done but it is extremely tasty. To eat, I like to pop the chicken jar (no lids) into the microwave for 10 seconds to loosen up the broth/stock in the jar before removing the chicken. It is the best freaking broth/stock I have ever eaten- even better than the stock I make with the carcasses after pressure canning the meat.

Thank you very much. I do believe I will try this.

 

[BantyChooks]

When I cull a bird I shoot it in the head. I have a .22 hand gun and it does the trick. I catch the bird and shoot it point blank. There is no flopping or running around. I find this to be the most humane but only if you have a gun!

That's definitely a good way to do it. Instant brain destruction.

 

[aliciaplus3]

When I cull a bird I shoot it in the head. I have a .22 hand gun and it does the trick. I catch the bird and shoot it point blank. There is no flopping or running around. I find this to be the most humane but only if you have a gun!

I am so graceful I would be afraid that the bird would flinch and I would get hurt......I prefer the stump and a good sharp hatchet...... we have a couple of strings hanging on a post to let them bleed out