I just did my first kill

[FutureMillionaire]

Usually I get rid of ducks and drakes by selling them. My duck population is now around 60 and I have new batches of ducklings waiting to be born. I decided to harvest some drakes by myself. I saw a Youtube tutorial for a fast kill and its to break the neck. I feel so bad because I raised those boy for months but I don't want the flock to get violent. I divided my flock into 2 and separated my 2 drakes to have harems of their own. Some of my ducklings last year turned out to be drakes, I started seeing krunkles all over their face and they are bigger than the girls so that means they are boys. The meat reminds me of beef. I still feel bad but I know I will get used to it. The Drakes I killed actually have names, Adeline and Lorna, I thought they were girls that's why they dont have boy's names.

I will never kill any of my OG breeders though.

 

[Jpat]

Nothing wrong with homegrown meat. I take solice in the fact that they werent tortured or forced to live in a grow cage. Every living thing will eventualy be food for another living thing, even us, and thats nature

When i consider how to end an animal i think how i can do it with as much respect and as little pain as possible. I always go with an axe on a chopping block. Ive tried neck snapping and i just didnt feel enough controll to do it fast enough. But thats just me!

Feel proud that your in the small percent of people that can raise, butcher, and cook your own food

 

[FutureMillionaire]

I know it will take a long time before I get use to it. I killed the boys inside the house so no one needs to see. My ducks have a happy free range life.

 

[Beaglegal]

We have culled and processed cockerels for meat, but I am far more attached to my ducks and am not sure if I could do it. My 2 mama ducks hatched our 4 ducklings that all turned out girls and I feel like I hit the jackpot. Kudos to you for taking control of your flock and making it work for you and provide humane conditions to all your animals

 

[BReeder!]

Usually I get rid of ducks and drakes by selling them. My duck population is now around 60 and I have new batches of ducklings waiting to be born. I decided to harvest some drakes by myself. I saw a Youtube tutorial for a fast kill and its to break the neck. I feel so bad because I raised those boy for months but I don't want the flock to get violent. I divided my flock into 2 and separated my 2 drakes to have harems of their own. Some of my ducklings last year turned out to be drakes, I started seeing krunkles all over their face and they are bigger than the girls so that means they are boys. The meat reminds me of beef. I still feel bad but I know I will get used to it. The Drakes I killed actually have names, Adeline and Lorna, I thought they were girls that's why they dont have boy's names.

I will never kill any of my OG breeders though.

A fast kill is the most humane way. I am glad you did your research first. I found a sharp ax with one swip swing to be the fastest and cleanest kill for me. A stump or in my case a chunk of wood from a large branch I trimmed works as a chopping block and an empty feedbag with a corner cut off helps to hold the bird's wings and keep it from moving too much. Also, I wait until the bird is calm before swinging the ax. That's important for these quality of meat add wil as enduring a quick and clean kill - if the bird is moving I could miss and just badly injure the bird with the first setting which is not what I want to do.

 

[Jpat]

My biggest mistake with the first chickens i butchared was not aging the meat for a day or two, very tough and chewy

 

[Beaglegal]

My biggest mistake with the first chickens i butchared was not aging the meat for a day or two, very tough and chewy

Thank goodness for BYC, I read this from people so I managed to avoid that fate.

 

[BReeder!]

My biggest mistake with the first chickens i butchared was not aging the meat for a day or two, very tough and chewy

After cleaning the bird, I wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in a large bowl in the fridge for 2-3 days. That's worked very well for me. For smaller birds like quail, I place a few together in a quart or gallon sized ziploc and just stick that in the fridge for 2-3 days. Soaking in saltwater (brine) can help also if you don't mind that added sodium.

 

[Jpat]

Quails i like everything about them

 

[Dougdilman]

Quails i like everything about them

Me too! They have fluffiest little eggs