How do you gut a chicken if you butcher it yourself?

[magicpigeon]

Just asking for a friend. He wants to try some of his silkies

Anyways, what is the way that works for you? I have never done this before, he neither, so we're both kinda curious

 

[halo]

If you look at the top of this section, you'll see a post for Notable Archives, with a couple of very good threads about butchering a chicken, with some very good pictures.

 

[booker81]

Yup, look for the one started by "frugal". Very nice

There isn't much to chicken guts either.About two handfuls of guts, and then just scraping the lungs out. If they bleed out right, there is very little blood in there either.

 

[Dogfish]

Start with a very sharp filet knife.

About 1/2" from the tip of the keel bone SLICE through the skin only (not stab and puncture) to just above the vent. Then slice off to either side of the vent, forming an upsidedown "Y" with the cuts ending just below the vent. I go for about 1/2" away from the vent. Connect the tips of the "Y" with another slice through the skin. This take 4 slices and about 5 seconds with practice and a sharp knife.

With the tip of the knife, slice through the mebrane below the skin to reveal the guts. Follow the same "Y" pattern. You may just need to start the hole and just tear the membrane with your finger. Pinch the vent with your thumb and forefinger, pull out a bit, then reach in and scoop out the guts with your other hand. Just reach in and get it done. If you do this right, no poo will come out. If any does, just rinse very well. Poo is a part of process, especially if you didn't make your birds fast 12 hours.

You can remove the lungs by scraping them out with a finger, or by using a tomato shark (google it).

If you take longer than 2 minutes to do all of this you are either being way too timid, or way too squeamish. Just do it. After a few I can get this done in about 15 seconds each bird.

Take off the head, then cut the feet off, sort through the guts for the liver, heart and gizzard.

Rinse well, let rest, then cook and eat.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

For a silkie - I recommend small hands

 

[Whizbanger]

You can see a complete step-by-step chicken butchering photo tutorial (with commentary) at this link: www.HowToButcherAChicken.com

Best wishes,

Herrick Kimball

 

[Royd]

OK, I guess I should put on my glasses.....I thought it said, " How do you quit your chicken, if you butcher it, yourself?"

 

[magicpigeon]

Quote:
Thanks

 

[txhomegrown]

Quote:
Don't feel bad, I thought it said, " How do you GET your chicken, if you butcher it, yourself?" I think I need to clean my monitor.

 

[soap&eggs]

years ago when me & my girls did our first butchering..we didnt let it set or cool long enough before cooking..meat was tough....rule of thumb i now use is after all processing is done bird cools in refrig at least overnight..helps alot.