killed our first chicken

[step2626]

It was messy to say the least. We need a sharper knife for starters. Then accuracy on the artery. Cutting was awful because we didn't get the main vein right away.

Glad I read about the cone thing. That was very helpful! We used a milk jug.

Our chicken was a disappointing 2 lbs 13 oz all cleaned up. He looked much bigger with his feathers! Is that typical size for backyard chickens? Really I have no clue. These chickens are about 6 months so maybe just small because they are still young?

Anyway it was an overall good experience.

 

[gatorshark75]

It was messy to say the least. We need a sharper knife for starters. Then accuracy on the artery. Cutting was awful because we didn't get the main vein right away.

Glad I read about the cone thing. That was very helpful! We used a milk jug.


Our chicken was a disappointing 2 lbs 13 oz all cleaned up. He looked much bigger with his feathers! Is that typical size for backyard chickens? Really I have no clue. These chickens are about 6 months so maybe just small because they are still young?

Anyway it was an overall good experience.

i just ring their neck its cleaner and i never pluck them i skin them it sooooo much easier and ringing their necks is faster and they dont suffer

 

[step2626]

How do you ring it's neck?

 

[step2626]

Oh and any advice on catching these guys? That's the hardest part!

 

[gatorshark75]

Oh and any advice on catching these guys? That's the hardest part!

catch them after dark and put them in a small cage till the next morning thats how i do it they dont put up to much of a fight at night

 

[step2626]

Oh duh! So simple and I didn't even think about that. Thanks! After you ring it's neck you still bleed them right?

 

[Elke Beck]

The size depends on the breed. Most dual purpose breeds are not going to have a big carcass. 2 to 3 pounds is pretty good.

One observation, I usually have the chicken with its back either toward me or to either side, instead of having the throat forward. It is easier for me to get a good angle with the knife. Also, if you grab the feathers on the back of the neck, you can pull the skin taut and the knife goes through it easier. If the skin is loose, the knife will slide it back and forth instead of cutting through.

Looks like you did a great job.

 

[step2626]

We did 4 more tonight. We had better success with the bleeding. Hubby didn't want to try ringing the necks.

 

[Idspud]

When we did our roosters last year we took two ladders and put two boards between them. We took a highway cone with a little of it cut off and hung it upside down on the two boards. The cone base kept it from falling. We then just put a bucket under the cone to catch the blood. The highway cone works pretty good. Not much mess. We did use a hanging garden shepherd's hook with a little rope to hang them while we plucked them or skinned them. It was the perfect height.

And yes a sharp knife is essential.

 

[Duckopolis]

Those look like good sized chickens to me!