Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

[FlyWheel]

Yah, freezer camp I know of. Unfortunately I don't know how to 'dress' a chicken, none of my housemates are keen on the idea of my doing it here anyway, and even though I am surrounded by hunters, hunt clubs and game processors no one else is willing to do it for me either.
Go fig.

 

[junebuggena]

Yah, freezer camp I know of. Unfortunately I don't know how to 'dress' a chicken, none of my housemates are keen on the idea of my doing it here anyway, and even though I am surrounded by hunters, hunt clubs and game processors no one else is willing to do it for me either.
Go fig.

It's not that hard to do...

 

[aart]

Quote: No, it's not....just another learning curve, biggest part of mental curve is the killing.
Some hunters even have a hard time of it, different than shooting at a distance.

Took me months of research, equipment gathering, and mind adjustment to do it.....
......still not 'fun', but the 'right' things to do in life are often not.
This was one of the best tutorials I found http://ramblingredneckmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-process-chickens-at-home.html. But looked at lots of them and videos, learned a little something for most of them..

 

[SunHwaKwon]

No, it's not....just another learning curve, biggest part of mental curve is the killing.
Some hunters even have a hard time of it, different than shooting at a distance.

That's me. I hunt ducks and geese (though I'm not really into it anymore) but I'm having a hard time mentally preparing myself to process roosters. The cleaning part in fine with; it's the killing. With hunting, by the time you or the dog retrieve the bird it's usually dead, so you imagine an instant death with no shuddering or desperate last breaths.

I have had to euthanize a couple of deformed chicks with a shovel recently, so I suppose that was my first step in the "right" direction. It's so much more personal than hunting.

 

[junebuggena]

It's a whole lot easier if the rooster/cockerel is mean and nasty. The last batch of cockerels I had to process where so sweet. One had a serious injury to it's hip and back that was starting to impact quality of life. It had to be done, but when I picked him up to put him in the cone, he let out the most pathetic 14 week old attempt at a peep. That was hard. But necessary.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

"Fortunately", my two oldest cockerels have been hanging with the similar aged guineas. However, instead of them making the guineas nicer, the guineas are turning them into a-holes. I won't miss them. None of the other cockerels are near processing age or size yet, unfortunately.

 

[aart]

It's a whole lot easier if the rooster/cockerel is mean and nasty. The last batch of cockerels I had to process where so sweet. One had a serious injury to it's hip and back that was starting to impact quality of life. It had to be done, but when I picked him up to put him in the cone, he let out the most pathetic 14 week old attempt at a peep. That was hard. But necessary.

True Dat...on both counts, cockerels and chicks.

"Fortunately", my two oldest cockerels have been hanging with the similar aged guineas. However, instead of them making the guineas nicer, the guineas are turning them into a-holes. I won't miss them. None of the other cockerels are near processing age or size yet, unfortunately.

I usually harvest my cockerels between 13-16 weeks, before they start making trouble and while still tender enough for the grill.
Nope not much meat, but not ton more when I've done an older cockbird. Love that crispy grilled skin and the grilled bones make a killer stock.

 

[COChix]

"Roo School" huh? Do they have a reform class for trouble students? Mine took another piece out of me today. 

Well I can say before this our BO roo was pushing his limits and was more aggressive. It seems now that he has more to keep him occupied than trying to chase and get the hands that feed. Maybe he realizes he better train his replacement t proper sorry you are having a hard time finding someone to help you. Are there any CSA's in the area? Sometimes they will process for you or hold workshops on processing.

 

[COChix]

Got a few good shots today.

Wondering about the white roo. He is from a Rumpless Araucana dad and Russian Oroloff Hen, could that make him a rumpless EE? He is the bottom of the pecking order out of the three roo's.

Easter Egger

Oliver Egger

 

[junebuggena]

Got a few good shots today.
Wondering about the white roo. He is from a Rumpless Araucana dad and Russian Oroloff Hen, could that make him a rumpless EE? He is the bottom of the pecking order out of the three roo's.




Oliver Egger

The 'white' one is Splash. And he did not have an Orloff for a mother. He would have muffs. He is also not rumpless. He's got a rump, but he doesn't have normal tail feathers. I've got a few of those from my Easter Egger lines. They have tails, but they just don't grow tail feathers.

This is one such cockerel. I assure you, there was a tail there. I plucked him myself.