Food removal before processing

[cathyoh]

We're taking our meaties for processing Monday morning. I know we're supposed to remove their feed 12 hours before processing. Since they are outside they can still eat whatever they can scrounge in the grass. Is that ok or should we crate them Sunday night?

Don't want to stress them any more & earlier than necessary.

 

[credmond]

I would leave them out as you have been, just take away their feed.
They will probably not scrounge too much at night.
What kind of birds are they?
What kind of feed are you giving them?

Also, if you are taking them to be butchered by someone who is expirienced,
they are usually carefull to not cut into intestines.
Plus the grass / etc.. that they might eat won't cause a big build up of poo over one night.

Let me know

 

[cathyoh]

They are white broilers from Meyer & are being fed Dumor Starter/Grower.

Maybe someday we'll try processing our own but figured for the first batch, we'd take them to be processed.

 

[PatS]

We have usually not removed food, and it has worked out okay. But removing food does make the job easier and cleaner. Less junk in the tract.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

You are doing fine, they won't eat at night, just some in the morning. Like Pats said, it just make for cleaner butchering.