first time we" culled" a chicken

[A-TeamMama]

We got 5 cornish cross over 5 weeks ago. This evening we let them have time to scavenge and noticed one couldn't stand.

We fussed over her for almost an hour with no improvement. We weren't planning on culling until 10 weeks, but she wasn't doing good.
Anyway, we did it over 3 hours ago and I can't believe what we did. I'm having mixed feelings. Thankful that I will be feeding my family well cared for meat versus mass produced uncared for meat. But I feel terrible that I took this poor helpless baby chickens life.
We weren't sure how this would turn out which is why we started with only 5. I hope when the full 10 weeks arrive we can manage culling the 4 and find them delicious and worth it. If so next year I want 15. Poor chicks

 

[fried green eggs]

Take comfort in knowing - they have a better life with you, than at a factory farm. Keeping them longer than the normal 6 weeks, requires limiting feed to 12 hours per day and you up the chances of them having health issues - heart or legs can give out but, it can be done. I have tried several different methods for culling over the years and I don't like chopping heads off. The method that works best for me is putting their neck under a broom stick, stand on the stick very close to head and pull up on legs and the head pops off easily. There is very little blood and it's very quick.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It gets easier. First ones were hard for me, had to have a neighbor do the chopping and I did the rest. Butchering days still are not my favorite days of the year but it does get a lot easier.

 

[A-TeamMama]

Thank you both

. This morning I went out back to feed them and they were just happy following me around. I know many people don't like them, but I think their darn cute. I woke up only a little sad about my chick, a little happy about how I get to make dinner tonight. But very happy about the four happy healthy meaties running around.

 

[VTChickenQueen]

They are cute arent't they. I have several meaties that are 8 months old. You certainly can keep them going. Mine are laying eggs now but the trick is to treat them like layer birds instead of meaties and encourage a slow rate of growth. Mine get fed between 2.5 to 5 gallons of food a day which is enough for them to eat for 1/2 hour. Way under food for 12 hours. They aren't starving either. My biggest rooster is between 16 and 18 lbs and his legs are super strong and when I cull my birds I found small, healthy hearts with no signs of cardiac problems. I also free range my birds so they spend their days chasing and eating bugs, gobbling up tasty little morsels on the ground and being chicken.

 

[A-TeamMama]

Wow! 8 months? That's impressive. Do you plan to keep them as layers? Or eventually cull them for meat? I know only what I've learned online and from a few friends (very few). So excuse me, but a gal I know says once they lay an enzyme is released into their system and their meat becomes tough and rubbery.
Btw, last night we did have our little meaty. We all (me, hubby, 3 Kids) said how good he was and ate until full. But when I cleared the table, much of him was left. My hubby and I confessed it was strange to eat our little friend. Lol, hope we get past that

 

[A-TeamMama]

I make bone broth, so there is no waste.

 

[VTChickenQueen]

You will. My spouse and I have a little ritual when we strike the first and final blow. We spend a second thanking the bird for his meat. My spouse believes in reincarnation so we choose another animal with a better fate for the little chicken soul to become next. The nicest birds become people . I make sure the bird is comfortable on the table and I pat him until he starts lulling of with closed eyes and then my spouse strikes fast. The body takes a second or two before it freaks out usually. That's how I am reassured that the chick didn't see it coming or felt any pain. I always feel a bit sad but when the feathers are plucked and it looks more like a grocery store bird I remember that they are for the table.

Having a culling ritual makes things easier I think. Plus seeing my birds roam my yard and enjoying their life makes me feel alright about what we have to do.

 

[VTChickenQueen]

Oh yeah, the bone broth is so good. We take what's left of the carcass and boil it for hours. Only bones are left. Sometime in the future I want to invest in a bone grinder and I can make powdered ash from the bones and feed it back to the chickens or to the pigs for the minerals. Nothing goes to waste except for the entire GI track and gall bladder. Those I either bury or burn. The lungs I leave in the bird and I cook the rest of the organs with my gravy, soup, or stuffing.

 

[lazy gardener]

The GI tract and feathers would be good to bury in the garden.