My rookie experience to butcher a chicken - video

[Mikedero]

Is it weird that I am actually excited to do this?

You and me both. In fact I have a old RIR that lays only once or twice a week that i am doing in a few weeks

 

[Carla K]

Thanks great video.

 

[the43k]

You and me both. In fact I have a old RIR that lays only once or twice a week that i am doing in a few weeks

I'm told that with an older bird the meat may not be as tender. No experience. They also told me to use an older bird in a stew.

 

[trunkman]

The very first chickens I bought were adult white rocks, so I was told, and after a few months I decided to get process two of the three roosters I had bought because 3 roosters were just tearing up the 6 hens. I chose to keep the smallest rooster and process the two biggest. One dressed out at near 9 pounds and the other dressed out at a little over 11 lbs, yes 11 pounds!! I decided to cook up the large one the next day so I set it in the oven at about 250 degrees for a few hours and the last hour at about 325. When I opened the oven to carve him I was shocked at what I saw, all the meat had fallen off the top part of the bird and most of the chest cavity and legs were just bare bone, that was the most tender and tastiest chicken I have ever eaten!!

 

[the43k]

I think the younger is typically the better. The darker the meat, the more muscle and use the chicken had... thats why a duck's breast meat is very dark. All that flapping.

 

[Kernel Cluck]

First, great video. I have never had to butcher a chicken but may have to in the future. Has anyone ever used a cone to drop the chicken into? The head pops out the bottom end and it cuts down on the flapping. I was just wondering.

 

[trunkman]

I just bought a cone this week and will try it this weekend, time to process my 13 chickens! Also made a plucker that attaches to a drill and will let everyone know how that works out too. I'll also take pic to post on here if I remember to take out the camera.

 

[Kernel Cluck]

It just seems that the cone would be the best way to go. I have been told that the chickens kind of go calm. I have also read that it the animal is overly fearful when they are butchered, it taints the taste of meat. I don't know if this is true or not.

 

[the43k]

First, great video. I have never had to butcher a chicken but may have to in the future. Has anyone ever used a cone to drop the chicken into? The head pops out the bottom end and it cuts down on the flapping. I was just wondering.

I didn't see the need for the cone. This bird, maybe other are more active, seemed to be calm while upside down. I suppose if you're dong multiple birds on a regular basis, a cone may be helpful.

 

[Carla K]

I would love to hear about the drill plucker!!!!!