I DID IT! Am I now a "real" farmer?

[HennyRoo]

How long in the crock pot? Any liquid in it or just the bird? Sounds yummy! I commend you on being able to dispatch your own birds... I already have the butcher lined up to slaughter our turkeys and cornish/rocks. I don't think I can do it myself and my hubby turns pale when he cuts himself shaving, lol. It's not the sight of the gore that bothers me, it's the smell! ugh! I might have to, though, as I have one meat bird that just splayed... trying to hold off as long as possible...

 

[arlee453]

Very nice job! They look really nice and I'm sure were yummy!

 

[MissPrissy]

L&Schickens :

... I need to look up what to feed, or NOT feed the days before butchering.

24 - 36 hours before dispatching take away all food. Only give them water. Lots of water. This purges their body of alot of the poop and other stuff.

Good job. A big pat on the back for doing it yourself!

 

[chiknwhisperer]

How did your DH like it? I had to do my favorite rooster yesterday becasue he was becoming to agressive to the other chicks. My dad was speechless when he called later that night and asked how my rooster was doing and I told him that he tasted good. And that two of my boys helped me clean him. My mom and dad can't look at any animal as livestock. Once they know the animal they can't ever imagine having to eat it. They even offered to take it to a farm so he could live. And what about when he became to aggresive for the other farmer? One day he wouldv'e been eatin anyway.

 

[amyquilt]

Kudos to you. I could never, ever do that.

 

[Their Other Mother]

When I was in Highschool I dated a guy whose family butchered their own livestock. About once a month was Dooms Day for something. They would hold a "trial" for each animal and go thru the whole deal. "Turkey, you are charged with rape of 4 female turkey's and attempeted rape of 12 chickens! How do you plead?" And this would go on & on untill we all shouted "Turkey is guilty as charged!" Then they were sentenced to death by "one swift chop of the axe to be carried out immediatly!"

I could never watch but the boy's all participated in cleaning and plucking.

We want to get some turkeys soon but I don't think I am as brave as you. My oldest son is a hunter so unless he committs to doing the butchering I'll have to find some one else.
I'm really proud of you, even if you did close your eyes. I would have a really hard time doing it my self. I mean if times were really bad and it was the only option I think I would do what needed to be done but I would have to be the LAST person available to do him in.

 

[L&Schickens]

WOW! I sure missed a lot. Must have been sleeping.

Yes, I had water and seasonings in the pot while cooking for about 6 hours.

Yes, I think I did pretty good and look at all my birds differently now.

YUMMY!!!! I am going to do the other 2 turkeys in about 2 weeks. I want to try and get some more growth out of them. None of the turkeys grew as much or as fast as I thought they would. I must have bought "Dwarf" turkeys.

 

[sweetshoplady]

Very nice job! Very encouraging too!