friendly meat birds

[ladyrua]

I just finished raising and butchering my very first chickens ever - 20 Cornish X. I went into it knowing that I'm an emotional person, I get attached to animals, etc. So I was careful not to "love" them, but still showed them the same care and attention that I do my layers. I think the "love" part is just that - plenty of food, clean water, attention to their health, safe place to sleep, comfortable run, etc.

It worked, I successfully butchered them all over the course of two weeks. I only cried once - on my very first one. I'm slightly mentally scarred by having one loose it's bonds after losing it's head...didn't know that old saying was actually true!

I even killed two myself, without the DH's help. *That* felt the final exam on homegrown meat!

 

[FisherMOM]

congrats lady! I don't know if I could do it myself!

 

[snowydiamonds]

All of mine are extra friendly, yes they are after feed but they are not mean at all. I had a hen who's legs gave her prob's so she used her wings and could stand while beating her wings so she'd get around but I put her in an extra large wire dog crate in the house, she was so sweet, but I butchered her last night along w/a young cockerel whose legs gave out last weekend. He was ready to just give up so he was done, too.

I wanted to test myself and see how it'd be this weekend when the other 8 are due at exactly 2 months. I remember how clean and yellow and perfect they were when they arrived. They are huge beauties now. The other 8 are only half grown and have till the beginning of August.

I learned I'll have to be careful about the hot water to loosen the pin feathers, too long in it and the meat can begin cooking. I also think it'll be a bit harder with the healthy ones...I worried about my geese and layers seeing me do the deed so I found a place none could see me/us in the yard off the deck.

I just got 10 ducklings in on the morning of the 15th and figured out the water problem. Took my 80# male weimaraner's flat bottom and large steel bowl (he wasn't happy about that!) and filled it w/grass clippings like it was a beautiful bowl of ice cream then poured water in so they have kept the bedding dry and you can see/hear them happily slurping They are a mix so I'll post a pic to see if anyone knows what I've got...