Facts to convince hubby that processing ou own chickens is a good idea

[rhoda_bruce]

Watched the film.......it was cool. Worth while and all. Even loaned it to one of my co-workers that was interested in it. Now annoyed people.......have a good day. Can we please get back on topic now? Second request. Or kill it....Going to work soon, so take care.

 

[DawnSuiter]

TT - so... what do you say? I need a butchering buddy and it sounds like you do too!

I ordered 25 Freedom Rangers yesterday.. should be ready around July. My next batch after that of dual purpose birds should be ready around September-October and that should be all the chickens we'll need for a year.

 

[joebryant]

Ooops!

 

[DawnSuiter]

Quote:
no doubt!!!!

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Rhoda, I wasn't annoyed with you. I was just saying that people get weird ideas and act against their own good, and it makes no sense. You brought it up, I responded. Sorry if that offended you, that wasn't my intent.

 

[bibliophile birds]

TNTruly and DawnSuiter-

want to come over this weekend and be my cheerleaders while i process my first birds? PLEASE?!?! i'm so very nervous...

the only "help" i have is the legion of family members who want to come by and watch because they don't think i can do it. i have a particularly evil cockerel that i plan to start off with.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

BibliophileBirds, we're too far apart for me to come cheer you personally, but if you start a new thread about your plans we'll all jump on & encourage you from cyberspace.

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Oh dear. That's not what you need! Maybe you could tell them the wrong time...or just accidentally start about 2 hours early before they get there. That way you'll be done with the 1st one or two before they show up.

I'm also too far away. I'll cheer for you in spirit.

Anybody who wants to make the drive up to s. central KY, is welcome to join me when ever I process a few. The weather's been awful, I have 8 roos in waiting for decent weather to meet their maker.

These videos were a great help to me, maybe you'll find them helpful. I'd watch them all at least twice before doing the deed. If I'd watched these a long time ago I could've saved myself a lot of time and hassle.

Slaughter (w/Grady)

Processing overview

Evisceration

I wish you luck, maybe your relatives will be more supportive than they sound.

ETA: I forgot to say that these are broilers, they're young, the skin s soft and tears easily, the joints are fairly loose, the pelvic bones are underdeveloped and so there's plenty of room to get your hand in. If you're processing older birds, it'll be a little harder, and not as fast, but the steps are the same.

Frugal did a tutorial, too. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=109583

Plucking will be easy with a properly scalded bird. If the water's too hot, the skin will tear, too cool, the feathers won't come out. A thermometer will save you a lot of hit and miss. Home Depot has some nubby blue latex coated gloves that are great for rubbing off the pin feathers. They'll save you a lot of time. Another BYC'er told me about them, and they are terrific. They cost around 5 or 6 bucks, I forget, but not much. And well worth it.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Quote:
Maybe so.. DD is out of town this weekend so I don't have the extra responsibility. What city/county are you in?

 

[bibliophile birds]

i'm in Maryville.