Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[desertmarcy]

I did the dish soap in the water. Actually it was probably more like 145 degrees. I did 150 before and seemed like I did slightly burn a thin layer of skin.

Scrape the skin with a knife...hmm that might have worked. I was thinking that there has got to be a trick to it cuz whew that was a pain. lol

Next time I will check their feathers to see if there are an abundance of new growth feathers and wait for them to grow in a bit if so.
But this time I just had too many cockerels trying to beat each other up...had to do a round one cull.

I use 145-147 degree water when I am processing very young and small birds, 147-148 when they are a bit older; 150 for the older ones, definitely 150 for year old or older birds, especially roosters, and they get swished in the water longer. I use a needle-nosed pliers to squeeze or pull out pin feathers. It can be tedious if there are a lot of them. The automatic plucker does a pretty good job of getting pin feathers out, but if there are a lot of them, I always have to pull a few myself.

 

[Jenn1399]

Last time we butchered cockerels my husband did the actual deed and I processed.  This time he literally could not do it.  He hated doing it before and got all upset yesterday because he didn't want to kill a chicken, he said it was my project so I should do it.  lol.. poor guy.  He had nightmares over it last time.   You would think by looking at him that he is a big tough guy who could handle it but nope...a softie.

Poor guy. This would have been the SAME scenario for my husband & I. He would have done it the first time, because I asked & then not ever again!

 

[DMRippy]

Good for you Christie! I have not had to do that, but I feel I can now. After having to make culling decisions for chicks and injured birds, I feel confident that I could do the deed if needed... alone!

That was a BIG step, CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[DMRippy]

Vicki, anything?

 

[Hens and Roos]

For those of you who process your extras do you find that there is enough meat on the birds besides the breast meat to do a full out process? We find that with some of the breeds we have that there is no meat to the thighs and such unless the bird is over 1 year old. Just wondering

Congrats on being able to process your own birds! DH and I both process but it took a few times to get the process down. Our oldest doesn't like to watch so she will help out by doing chores but our 2 boys are right there watching- most of the time we have to tell them to stand back a little. We have not purchased store package chicken in over 1.5 years now. The kids have no problem eating the meat and love it in pot pies.

 

[DMRippy]

For those of you who process your extras do you find that there is enough meat on the birds besides the breast meat to do a full out process? We find that with some of the breeds we have that there is no meat to the thighs and such unless the bird is over 1 year old. Just wondering

Congrats on being able to process your own birds! DH and I both process but it took a few times to get the process down. Our oldest doesn't like to watch so she will help out by doing chores but our 2 boys are right there watching- most of the time we have to tell them to stand back a little. We have not purchased store package chicken in over 1.5 years now. The kids have no problem eating the meat and love it in pot pies.

I have only processed 2 and there was not enough meat on them for me to keep roos for meat. So now they go as quick as I can. No need to feed them at my place anymore.

 

[Debbi]

Good for you Christie!! This is something I have not done in many years, but I am sucking up all these tips, as my time will come soon. I used to hunt, and had no problem killing or field dressing a deer, I think it's the hands on killing part that bothers me with chickens. Now, if I'm mad, that may not be a problem!

Just need to think about a few scenarios with the ex, that should do it!

 

[DMRippy]

Good for you Christie!! This is something I have not done in many years, but I am sucking up all these tips, as my time will come soon. I used to hunt, and had no problem killing or field dressing a deer, I think it's the hands on killing part that bothers me with chickens. Now, if I'm mad, that may not be a problem!

Just need to think about a few scenarios with the ex, that should do it!

I have had a couple of roos I had NO PROBLEM culling.... they needed it.

 

[Debbi]

Vicki, don't get disheartened yet. I have had Marans not show any sign of life at all until day 25! I give them all 25 days now..unless they start to stink! We're rootin' for ya!!

 

[Debbi]

I have had a couple of roos I had NO PROBLEM culling.... they needed it.

Yeah, I'm thinking Mr. Pip may lose his head here in the near future. Yesterday, he attacked me from behind and made actual contact! I spun around, and yelled, and he had the look on his face that he was just as astounded as I was. I don't need that, and he is basically useless here...until he becomes enchiladas or soup!