Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[Coupe]

EEEK is all I gotta say! You're a brave lady! How did you kill them? Was it a terrible experience or were you able to "separate" the pet vs. dinner thing?

The easyest way i believe is putting them in a cone.or in my case a gallon milk jug with the bottom cut off and the top cap part off..you take the jug and secure it lip side down to a tree or a board..place the chicken head first in the cone so their head is sicking out of the cap part upside down..The chicken stays calm upside down and then you cut its throat...they seem to go "peacefuly" that way..there was no thrashing or flapping..
When you have a mean rooster that attacks you everytime you step foot in the coop, its much easyer to call him dinner lol. I got fed up with him the day he left a nice scar on the back of my leg! I would never kill one of my hens..but a mean Roo, i have no problem making him food.

 

[Coupe]

Hi everyone, interesting topic. I've been wondering about how I'll handle this myself, as I know I'll have some roos I'll need to deal with once I get my flock. I've decided, like Lexi, I need to take responsibility and learn how to humanely process them. I've never intentionally killed a mammal before (do mousetraps count?), but I'll try to reframe the experience by thanking the animal for giving the gift of food and respectfully do what is necessary. We'll see if I can actually do it when the time comes.

My husband had processed a few roosters when he was young on his grandfather's farm in France. He said it was not fun but he knows how to do it. My sister in VT also raises broilers and they process them every year themselves, their son is a professional chef and butcher so he helps (he butchers their pigs for them too). Hopefully I can get some good guidance from all of them when the time comes.

I believe everyone should learn how to butcher a chicken..its really a good skill to have..i dont like killing anything...but when i ate the chicken i butchered, it gives a different feeling..like i acomplished somthing...idk maybe thats not the word for it..but i felt good because i know it was done right and that if i ever need to, i could provide food for my family.

 

[Joanmcm]

That is my feeling as well...except I have not done the butchering part. As a society we have made a big error moving so far away from providing our own food we now believe a bunch of marketing jazz on what is good for you vs what is reality.

 

[Coupe]

That is my feeling as well...except I have not done the butchering part. As a society we have made a big error moving so far away from providing our own food we now believe a bunch of marketing jazz on what is good for you vs what is reality.

Very true!
It really is nice to know how your food was raised, what is ate and how it lived...all this talk is making me think, that i might just raise some meat bird next year!

 

[LSzajko]

Now that I'm really thinking about it, I think I would be able to cook one of my flock without feeling TOO bad. Just don't make me watch or pluck!

 

[Coupe]

It taste much better than store bought!

 

[LSzajko]

I've never had a "homegrown chicken" ~ I've heard they're much better. Eventually my DH will have to cull one of the girls and I'll have to get past the emotions before preheating the oven. I want to get some eggs out of them first!

SO are ya having a good week? Isn't it wonderful tomorrow's Friday?!!! I thought this week would drag on forever. Looking forward to getting some things done around the house this weekend....just don't know where to start! I put some sunflower seedlings around the run yesterday. I thought I planted them far enough away from the fence but apparently I didn't and the little beasts ate them. Duh.

 

[mountaindog66]

Thanks for the info on the milk jug cone! Great instructions. Yes, I agree, it should feel like an accomplishment and a great skill to have, I like learning how to do as many things myself as possible and not have to rely on others as much.

 

[mountaindog66]

Now that I'm really thinking about it, I think I would be able to cook one of my flock without feeling TOO bad. Just don't make me watch or pluck!

The plucking does not sound fun, I agree!

 

[Joanmcm]

Yes. The whole idea is for the chickens to live a good life and depart peacefully. It is easier said then done and I am not looking forward to it but am looking forward to getting past the first experiences with it.