Need to process my first ever roos tomorrow. wish me luck!

[Nat123]

@Liamm_1: If only mom were there to process it for you. She's such an expert

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:

X 2. I like it when people encourage one another, especially about this difficult task, and allow for individual differences without being critical.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

Liamm....I do feel for you. I butchered my roos for the first time today. A friend who had told me for 2 months while I fattened them up baled on me so....it was all up to me. I had educated myself both here and on youtube thankgoodness!! My mom had bought me a wonderful set of razor sharp knives for my b-day. These things never dull and are really super sharp. This is my "kit" I packed for the job. 1 of my lg sharp knifes, the paring knife, kitchen scissors and a serrated one in case I could not get the neck cut easily. Two med rubbermaid containers, a cooler with salted ice water, cone and a spray bottle of diluted bleach water for cleaning in between roos, paper towels, plastic wrap and a couple towels. One handy thing I did think to use. A headlamp! I had trouble s freeing inside the bird to see what I was cutting out. This made it so easy.
Using a very sharp knife worked great for me and mine's legs where tied cause I took 4 at a time, tying their legs and laying them in a laundry basket til it is their time. My cuts where clean and deep so they bled out quick. It still bothers me that their bodies still twitch but that is just muscle contractions.
I think it you try again and with all the advice you have from others it will be easier for you and look at all you have learned by what happened. Yes...store bought poultry may look like less work and cost of raising your own but when you look at the healthy aspects it is much worth it. My grandfather had poultry houses for Tyson and you would not believe what these chickens are fed.
Good luck and don't up. I am sure after a while you will be able to laugh about your experience.

 

[redhen]

Quote:

X 2. I like it when people encourage one another, especially about this difficult task, and allow for individual differences without being critical.

I wasnt being critical. Not at all..
Is that what you are implying? Why not just come out and say that, if so?
All i was was doing was giving MY opinion on culling to try to help the OP. (Guess i'm not allowed to do that now? Excuse me.. ) I, personally do not recommed neck slicing for first time culling.... because of EXACTLY what happend to the OP. It wasnt the OP's fault either... I feel for them and what they had to see.

But we all make mistakes.. you are right. NO cull method is 100% mistake proof. I just PERSONALLY will never slice the neck.. because i've seen it go bad tooooo many times.

Either way... the choice is yours.. not mine. I'll cull my way.. and everyone else can do it how THEY feel comfortable. See how easy that is..

 

[redhen]

Quote:
HA! This was so totally not my experience. I won't sicken anyone on this particular thread with the horribleness that was my first butcher with a hatchet, but suffice it to say there isn't such a thing as a dummy proof method when it comes to butchering chickens, everyone has to find their own way that works for them, with their mentality and physical abilities.

Actually.. i'm a pretty big dummy and we use the broomstick method... never had any problems yet...
So..yes.. i HAVE found a dummy proof method that works for US.

Will it work for everyone? No clue....

 

[booker81]

Redhen!!


That's what is nice about having SO many ways to dispatch a bird. There isn't a wrong way really, as long as the bird ends up dead and with the least amount of stress.

For me, you should see me swing a hammer, and you'd see why I don't swing a hatchet. Especially given the number of times I hit MYSELF with a hammer, adding a hatchet in the mix is bad for MY health! LOL!! Whereas, with a sharp blade, I feel more comfortable, and I've used them a lot, lot more in other scenarios. The only time I seem to cut myself on knives is when I'm doing dishes

I've not done the broomstick method, but I'm happy with my knives

It's good to try out a few ways and find one you really are comfortable with - and that will vary by person!

 

[Stefrobrts]

I watched this video before I did it, and I was impressed with how calmly the guy did it (obviously he's done it many many times) and he made the hatchet method look very easy - and the way he held her his hand was nowhere near the blade when it came down.

Killing a chicken for soup

I was very tempted to go get a hatchet for the job, but decided to stick with a skill I already know (I'm handy with a sharp knife). But the hatchet method looks good if you are skilled with it and comfortable. I wouldn't want to be learning to handle the hatchet and trying to kill my first chicken at the same time!

 

[rainplace]

I slaughtered for my first time a few weeks ago. It was difficult and though I had been shown how to make the cut, I kept not doing it correctly. I was sick with emotion. I must have cut into my poor ducks neck six or so times before I finally cut into the correct place. I did the same thing with the second one also, however I learned something the second time. I kept starting the cut too far back and getting caught up on the neck bone. The third time, tears and snot streaming down my face, I made sure I felt the neck bone first and then sliced in front of it towards me. Made a HUGE difference. I didn't have a problem with any of the rest of them after that.

I have so much respect for you.