Has anyone ever heard of canning a chicken?

[Clay Valley Farmer]

I realy did not think there was a difference between a pressure cooker and a pressure canner other than size. The key is that the correct pressure and thereby temperature is achieved for sufficient time.

Myself I don't think I would risk canning low acid foods like meats and veggies other than tomatoes without using sufficient nitrite/nitrate, salt or acid to prevent botulisum spores from germinating. Issue is that there is not always 100.000% of the time enough heat in the process to ensure that all botulisum spores are destroyed. Packing meat in quart jars for canning is also a no-no as it is difficult to ensure the center of the jar is brought to full temperature.

The health risks of canning or curing meats are significant, really worth becoming well informed before jumping in both feet. There are a number of good books.

 

[Spookwriter]

I really hate to admit the truth in amongst all you canning
people, but my dear wife has it down to a science.

She cans weekly.

We go to the local supermarket and she know right where her
cans are kept.

Beans, corn, ...whatever kind of can she wants, she knows just
where they keep it. She thinks of them as her personal warehouse.

I just never heard of anyone canning meat before...

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

We've canned other meat before with no problems, just never had the guts to can chicken. We started with 4 cans. Followed USDA guidelines. Then while still hot, opened 2 of them OUTSIDE and with no kids around to get hurt. DH refused to try it without being able to open the cans, so he did it wearing his welding gear. Then used the thermometer to measure the temp in the center and in the meat. It was consistant in the entire jar.

We will likely freeze the winter meaties, but come next spring, I'll see how we feel about it then.

 

[feather and mountain man]

We can all meats. It insures that we will be able to keep them even if the power would go out. If we were to freeze it, it would be very likely that we would loose the meat during a power outage. Unfortunately that happens frequently here. I prefer to can the meats in gravy as it flavors the meat and makes it great for quick meals. Plus canning also reduces our storing cost. Freezing requires electricity and we prefer to save the money. It is very simple. Don't you see canned meats and fish in the store all the time? We can fish as well. Cook and can. We love the ready to eat stews, soups, and meat for chicken salads, turkey salads.

 

[feather and mountain man]

I also can leftovers. Sometimes I make extra just to can some for later. Its just a routine I got into. Not to hard.

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

Fand M...thats the way we do our venison. We dont buy much cow meat and when we do its from our neighbor who raises Angus and Herefords.

We usually have enough canned food that we do not have to buy canned veggies from the store, I bet we dont spend $50 a year on canned store items unless they are something we do not grow.

I sure would like to get a few pennies ahead, we do not have a root cellar here and need one. We loose power 2 or 3 times a week, and many times we have put the contents of all 3 of our freezers outside in the snow or in coolers outside when the power has been out over 30 hours.

Canning fruits and veggies saves a ton of money since we grow all our foods but you can even save money buying when they are in season, plentiful and priced better...and have FLAVOR. my brothers kids wont eat veggys at home or when out.....here they gobble them up. Their parents just dont get it LOL. My brother did not get to grow up on the farm with us so we figure he has too much city in him to understand.

Yardsales...you can score big time, same with rural thrift shops and good will stores.

 

[feather and mountain man]

It is good to know there are still other good down home people out there that know how to grow and can. People often think we are crazy when we talk about canning. We have a large family to feed and we have to do what we can and what we know how to do to make ends meet around here. Can't depend on others to do for us what we should do for ourselves.

 

[Noymira]

I have never canned before, just made a few refrigerator pickles. I did see a great video online where someone canned meats, and I think they seasoned and precooked them a bit before going into the pressure canner. I think it's a great idea, I don't want to rely on electricity for food storage if I can help it. We love canned chicken now, it's easy and quick.

We do have a walk out basement, so I'm also researching cold storage for roots and such - I'd love to grow potatoes and onions. I am excited to can some vegetables this year. Although we are not growing a garden this year, we do have a good farmer's market and lots of fresh local food nearby. Next year I have big garden plans, and will plant some garlic this fall. This year I need to focus on our chicken coop setup.

 

[Chicka-boom Chicka-boom]

Yes, I've heard of people canning chicken. My mom used to, along with canning everything else, and baking her own bread, killing and plucking chickens etc. Dear old mom was born in 1921 and grew up in a very rural area so she had all the skills I just wish I had (I'm not quite 50 yet so I can still learn

I should have listened and paid closer attention to her and took notes! Isn't that the way it goes - after our parents are gone we truly appreciate everything about them and the knowledge they could pass on to us. R.I.P. Mom and Dad

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can5_meat.html

The National Center for Home Food Preservation is a department of the University of Georgia. Lots of how tos an what not to dos.