Tomorrow is butchering day for half of my meaties. It's the first time we are processing more than 1 bird, and I am nervous and have a ton of questions.
1. We are butchering them first thing in the morning, so they will have had at least 12 hours with no food. It is helpful/important that their crops be completely empty? I want to give them a very small amount of sprouted wheat fodder, just to get them all congregated around the food dish so I can collect them easily.
I use a fishing net to catch mine it is fast and easy. Mine would congregate at my feet because they live to serve me....OR cause they think I am going to feed them. A little treat to keep them close will make no difference on their crops just do not over feed it.
2. How long do you have (50 degree weather) between killing them, to get them plucked, gutted and on ice before meat quality/spoilage becomes an issue.
I remove the heads off 5 at a time. I take off the head then place a half hitch rope/line around their feet so they can hang upside down and drain blood. I then scald them and pluck them in the same order. I found if I do over 5 the water gets colder and the feathers are harder to get off. I do not think spoilage is a problem if you are reasonably fast and sanitary.
3. After they are plucked and gutted, do you do anything other then put them in the refrigerator? I've read that some people soak the birds in a water/salt brine for a few hours first. Has anyone done that?
As soon as they are gutted I put them in a cold water soak. My water comes out of the well at around 45 degrees. I let that water run over them while I clean the rest. I have had it be as long as 2 hours. I have never had a problem yet.
4. How long do you let them rest in the refrigerator before shrink-wrapping and freezing. I was thinking of 48 hours.
I put mine in shrink wrap bags as soon as they are fully cleaned. I clean them twice, once before going in the cold water bath and once after the bath, the second cleaning I do in the house, in the sink under running water. I then pat them dry and put them in the shrink wrap bags. If I am going to vacuum pack them I do it after the resting period. I rest for 2-3 days. I just do not like the idea of them being in the fridge unwrapped. (Germophobe here) But then I also wear sterile surgical gloves to put dishes in the cupboard from the dishwasher.......My family makes fun of me for this. May the germs teach them a lesson!
5. Do you tightly cover them in the refrigerator when resting, or is them some value in letting air circulate around them?
Read above. I see no reason for the air to circulate around them and spread germs, I just want them to be cold and resting.
I'm sure I'm going to shed a few tears. I know this is light years better then buying chicken in the market, but emotionally, it's going to be a hard day. They are such friendly and trusting birds.
And now you will see why God made booze! It helps. BTW make sure you have a new box of surgical gloves, I go through a lot of them on cleaning day.
A good comedy on TV helps after the sad day. Once I get the birds into the house so they look like a chicken from the store the pain starts to diminish. Or is it the Schnapps kicking in, one can never be sure.
Thanks, everyone.
