My plan for easing into meat production - thoughts?

[mcf3kids]

If you are wondering whether or not you can slaughter and process your own then picking up a rooster on craigs list that isn't wanted might be a great way to see. DH & I did that to see if we could and he was a great meal and helped a lady out who could not get rid of her loud, aggressive rooster. Doing a batch of 6-8 cornish X is a great idea as well- you can do it!! Good luck!

 

[DanIndiana]

I've only processed one batch of 8 Cornish X, and am now raising a batch of heritage roosters to compare for meat. The processing was definitely challenging my only time. After the first bird I was pretty grossed out. By the second, I just wanted to get it over with and never do it again. Then it got OK in the middle, and by the end I was already thinking about what my next batch would be and trying to improve my technique. I really felt like I accomplished something at the end. I felt more capable. I had a friend who had done it before help me. The biggest thing was having someone there reassuring me that it wasn't a big deal, and helping me not freak out about it. Remember that. No matter how weird it feels, you'll get through it and feel good about yourself at the end. It's definitely a worthwhile life experience.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Quote:
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and good advice. I haven't had a single "DON'T DO IT!" response from anyone (although perhaps those folks just don't read the Meat Birds thread). Anyway, I made an inquiry on Craigs List regarding two roosters last night before I went to bed and have discovered that Ideal Poultry will ship small orders so I could get 3-4 CornishX and 3-4 Red Broilers (which sound pretty much like the Freedom Ranger) for a trial run and maybe sneak in that one additional Ameraucana I want to my layers. I'll talk it over with hubby tonight. Wish me luck.