Keeping the Feathers

[barqhorse85]

Not sure if this is the right forum but I need advice on processing a chicken for food and feathers. We bought dual purpose breeds with the intention of eggs and meat when they got old or if they were roosters. We have 4 out of the 7 chicks turn out to be roos. We have one EE and 3 barred rocks and are reaching the need to eat them stage due to noise regulations in our town. My question is what is the best way to kill and butcher to avoid bleeding all over the feathers? I am an artist and would like to use as much as I can without having to bleach them. Does it wash out easily or is there a least mess method?

 

[lindalouly]

I watched a few YouTube videos on processing because I think knowledge is good... The gal I watched Huns the chickens by their feet with a zip tie with two baskets underneath... She did a quick cut of the neck with the scissors.... Sharp scissors and let the blood drain.... She had a big pot of water that was just below simmering on the pot and dipped the chickens in neck first making sure to cover the whole bird... She then rehung them and had the family pull off feathers... She dressed the chicken with a sharp knife afterwards in her kitchen making sure to leave the crop and stuff intact so it came out in one piece... Hard to explain. She kep the feet for food, the gizzard and liver and put the chicken in the freezer... She also said that roosters were better for slow cooking... Soups and stuff. Not an expert but trying to learn as I go....

 

[Mrs. K]

Pulling feathers out is hard, as in very hard, unless you scald them first. I don't ever have a huge amount of blood on them, and what I do,washes off in the bath. I think you might need to do one or two, before you plan to keep the feathers. However, the feathers would dry, and would be ok?

 

[aart]

I've read of folks saving the feathers from butchering, even after scalding.

Try a search......you'll probably have to try several differently worded searches and do alto of reading to find your answer.

Advanced search>titles only> saving feathers from butcher