I did it.

[bbond]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broomstick-method-question.1187027/

Here’s the link to the BYC thread

 

[RUNuts]

Congratulations! Enjoy the fruit of your labor. Tasty.

 

[Toogoodoo]

We have 8 Cornish X's right now, and they are probably the "friendliest" of our chickens. I got a picture of one putting it's wing over the other the other night while they were perched on top of one of the shelters in their current coop. But at the same time I look forward to using them for what we raised them for, and getting a delicious, farm self-raised dinner from them. I'm sure I'll still be a little sad to butcher them (!!) but it's been exciting raising our own food as well and we are looking forward to purchasing and raising more soon (in addition to meat turkeys).

 

[Northern.Ontario]

So, like a few other people I got really attached to my meaties. I honestly like them better than 90% of the layers I have had. I was having problems coming to terms with processing. I researched, tried a method, knew it wasn’t for me. Yesterday I finally found the method that works for me (broomstick) and processed four of my 8 remaining Cornish X. It was quick and efficient, and I am confident I did the best I could for them. I definitely let them go a little too long (10 wks) and the roosters will not fit in any vacuum seal bags or freezer bags. I haven’t officially weighed them but they have to be 10 lbs fully dressed. I guess I am writing this to give other first timers peace of mind and the confidence to figure out the best method for them. You can do it, and I believe it is so much better than supporting factory farming and being so far removed from your food source. Happy homesteading y’all!

Get yourself the heat shrink bags. They come in sizes big enough for even turkeys.

 

[Morrigan]

Get yourself the heat shrink bags. They come in sizes big enough for even turkeys.

+1

We use the turkey bags for our meaties. from this supplier (http://www.nadyaspoultry.com/shrink-bags.html) I find even the 8 to 10 lbs chicken bags are a tighter squeeze then I like. The shrink wrap bags take up less freezer space as well.

 

[JiminyChristmas]

How do these work? Hoy water?

 

[Northern.Ontario]

The bags are really awesome.

PoultryShrinkBags.com

 

[Morrigan]

How do these work? Hoy water?

Yes, hot water. You need a big pot. You put the chicken in the bag, put a little straw into to allow air to release and quickly dunk the bag in hot water. It molds around the chicken and you zip-tie the top. It's a bit of a pain heating the water and dunking in a giant chicken without burning yourself --heat resistant gloves are highly recommended -- but the the end product is pretty slick.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

No freezer burn and the chicken lasts over a year