First time

[blue lotus]

I just wanted to congratulate you on taking the plunge with butchering your own birds! We did our first about 2 weeks ago, and it ended up being less stressful than your experience (and less stressful than what either of us expected). I think that having help makes it easier. Our first time we did just one bird. Then a few days later we did 7 chickens. We also started with our chickens (several extra roosters we raised for that purpose).

You mentioned one bird the skin was coming off, I think that is a sign of your water being too hot. I believe you are supposed to try for 140 degrees or so (I know there is a lot of info on the web). We ended up having the same problem, and I think we are going to go back to dry plucking the majority of the bird next time. It just seems easier, and then we can dunk it to release the wing feathers better.

We had the crowing thing happen too. Very unsettling.

But I am looking forward to processing some of those extra drakes now, and our first turkey in another month or two!

 

[Glenmar]

Quote:
I have a friend helping. We are going to skin some and pluck some. We are planning to do all 11 in one day. I will be hand plucking. I am sure it is going to take a while.
I have some that will be 15 weeks old on Oct 9 and some that will be 19 weeks. Should I let them get older or set the date for Oct 9th??? They are Marans, Orpington and large mixes.

 

[Glenmar]

I like the wiskey idea. I may have to stock up for that weekend.

 

[booker81]

Quote:
The "clucking" isn't abnormal at all, and can occur in all sorts of critters with vocal cords after they are really and truly dead. I've had deer do that to me when I'm gutting them - that has a tendency to really surprise you sometimes!

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
I apologize. Wasn't trying to be sarcastic, just kidding around.

 

[Noymira]

Quote:
I felt much the same way after my first processing last weekend. After a few days it subsides. I think it's normal and will get a bit easier.

I also think it's normal if it never is something that is easy or that you enjoy, but the quality of life of a bird you raise is generally going to be much better than that which you buy in a store.

 

[Tony101775]

I know exactly what you mean Noymira.
I know my birds have a better life than a supermarket bird.
I hope it does get easier?
Time will tell.

Bigred feather:

I am sorry i took your comments the wrong way.
i dont want people to think I am a drunk chasing my pets around with a cleaver.

I really do care and I find it very difficult to process.

I was simply passing on my experiences.

I too am sory i took your comments out of context.

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Excellent post. Looks like you have identified places you could have done better but that will always be true. You did it. Well done. Somewhere here I've written a couple of how-to postings. Each of them leave room for emotion. My first chicken was emotionally difficult and I felt sick. I went through many of the same things you said. "If I stop now, I've wasted the animal's life." Not only did you get through it, you went back for more.

I lift my Dr. Pepper (no whiskey) in your honor! Well done.

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Quote:
Emotionally? Yes. Physically? Yes, but it's always work.

Three of us will process and package 150 birds in one day in mid-October. At this point I don't even think about it. I'm beyond any feeling concerning chickens, other than minimizing their discomfort. They get 50 wonderful days on my farm then they pay the rent. But the work...the sheer amount of work! Lifting and carrying crates of chickens, killing, scalding, plucking, evisceration, composting mountains of remains and feathers. Chilling, checking, packaging, shrinking the bags, weighing, labeling, freezing. Calculating the tax! Packing up the crates for winter storage. Putting away the chicken tractors for the year. Stopping to greet customers as they arrive, giving tours, answering questions. "No, we didn't keep the gizzards this time." "Yes, we're sold out until next April."

The emotional cost of the work lessens over time. Through research and experience you'll become more skilled at killing, scalding and evisceration. The work is still work though and it's never easy.