my first butcher going solo I need advice

[coffeychicks]

OK so I have this rooster that use to be great well now he is attacking my hens pulling out feathers and now spuring them. yesterday he decided to challenge my husband and my son. so he has earned himself a one way ticket to the chopping block. last time this has happened I had someone do the cleaning for me but she is no longer able to. I know the basics. kill bird bleed it out scald it pull feathers. but that is all i know. please anyone have any pointers. i would appreciate all the help I can get. he is about 18 months old. white leghorn mix.

 

[Rich386]

OK so I have this rooster that use to be great well now he is attacking my hens pulling out feathers and now spuring them. yesterday he decided to challenge my husband and my son. so he has earned himself a one way ticket to the chopping block. last time this has happened I had someone do the cleaning for me but she is no longer able to. I know the basics. kill bird bleed it out scald it pull feathers. but that is all i know. please anyone have any pointers. i would appreciate all the help I can get. he is about 18 months old. white leghorn mix.

You have to cut from the vent to the brest bone. Cut around the anus avoid puncturing the intestin. Pull out the the innards you can save the liver heart and gizzard. Wash it out cook before eating. LOL

 

[coffeychicks]

Ok and I hate to sound like a dummy what if innards get ruptured or just wash well

 

[Rich386]

Ok and I hate to sound like a dummy what if innards get ruptured or just wash well

Guts lungs and any thing else that is in the body cavity. If you rupture the intestine just give an extra good wash.

 

[Elke Beck]

In this article he skins the chickens, but the diagrams will work whether you skin or pluck: http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/grim79.html

There are a ton of videos showing how to gut the chicken, and this one is pretty good:

 

[Life is Good!]

We watched a lot of youtube videos before attempting this on our own for our meat birds.

This is the best item we own for processing. Make yourself a kill cone. Here's the post on here that lists the best one I've seen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/389035/how-to-build-a-killing-cone

This handy little item makes the process a whiole lot easier - the trick is to get the cockeral's head through the bottom opening (many tuck their beak to their chest!). To make ours, we purchased aluminum flashing from Menards - it came in a roll. Not terribly inexpensive, but a whole lot easier than trying to hold the chicken down while cutting throat.

Also, you'll need an incredibly sharp blade to do the deed with. Not kitchen quality - fishing quality (we bought a 4" fishing filet knife exclusive for this deed). I know once the cut is made, the rest of the processing we do with a single-edged razor blade (like using for house projects). This short blade mades it very easy to cut the gut area without danger of cutting into the intestines.

The one thing you need to watch for when you're pulling out the innerds is the gallbladder. This small, dark green projection from the intestines cannot be ruptured - or the meat will be spoiled. It's located on the intestines, so it often comes out with them. Just handle with care to get it into the garbage a.s.a.p! The lungs are tricky to get out. Use your fingers to get up into and between the ribs from the inside as high into the cavity as you can. They're bright pink, so you'll be able to see them once everything else is out.

Lastly, read, read read! This forum is full of tips and tricks to help you. I know how much they helped us! Good luck!

 

[offgridhermit]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ing-up-your-chicken-graphic/460#post_12267484