Our FIRST Broiler Adventure :)

[chicken pickin]

Thanks and yes they are all mine. They are loving all the poultry we have. Im turning them into little farm girls. We do know of a family that processes just down the road from us(im keeping their num on handjust incase) but we have decided to do it our selves. We have never killed anything so this will be an adventure. We just picked up our upright freezer last night and ordered a knife set and freezer bags. This week we will build a table out of pallets and scrap wood for the cleaning of the birds and also build a kill cone station we are going to make a 2x4 kind of frame standing upright with legs and use milk jugs as our cones and we have many 5 gallon buckets for all the mess. I have 2 scalders and im going to use a huge tupperware type tote for the ice bath. I was thinking of making a homemade handheld drill plucker (I dont know if they work but Ive heard people say they work well). And we just started canning also we made some summer salsa the other day with fresh veggies from the garden and store bought fruit. It was our first go at that and it was fun and tasty and im glad to have some tucked in the pantry to a rainy day. Next year we plan to do a much bigger garden so we can do more with it.

 

[Lambingfamily]

Chicken Pickin, When you get everything built, please post some pics. Have you decided when you are going to begin your processing?

 

[Lambingfamily]

This is a rare mid-week update! We decided to process one of our broilers over the weekend.

It went very well. You can see the pics on the bottom of the Broiler Adventure page on our blog.

http://quadlfarmandhomeschool.blogspot.com

 

[Nomibear]

Great pics, thanks for sharing. Hope the full scale processing day goes well.

 

[chicken pickin]

Yay I was excitied to read about your first broiler process and dinner. And that is a good weight. I wonder if the reason your bird was tough is because it didnt get the rest period in the refridgerator that I hear everyone talk about. I think it takes some of the toughness out. I plan to rest mine in the fridge for a few days then put them in the freezer. And I will definitely take pics once I get my processing station set up. We are planning to do it this weekend but are so busy all week i hope we find time to set everything up. I hope we dont have to wait til next week because they are so big. They run though and are pretty quick all super healthy no leg problems knock on wood. Even at just 6 weeks Im guessing their weight range is from 4-almost 7lbs, some of the boys are enourmous and I got lucky because I have more boys than girls.I meant to take their 6 week pics today but got busy. Ill update tomorrow.

 

[chicken pickin]

Here are my CX at 6weeks 1day They are doing great growing huge and are still super healthy

 

[Chrystine]

Wow. My mouth is already watering and I have no chickens yet. I'm getting my first group of chicks in the spring and while they aren't meant to be broilers, I'm sure I'll get a roo or two. Thanks for all the great info and pictures.

 

[Lambingfamily]

Yay, Chicken Pickin! I am so happy for you! They look great. Can't wait to see your set up. I am putting my DS to work on a chicken plucker. We will post pics when it is complete. Hope you guys find time in your busy week to get everything set up. Keep us posted.

 

[Lambingfamily]

Okay, today is week 9 four our broilers. I have posted the latest pics at http://quadlfarmandhomeschool.blogspot.com We are getting excited! This project has taught us so much and it is such a family affair. I know we will do it again.

Thanks to my cyber pal, Chicken Picken. We have sort of been on this adventure together.

 

[chicken pickin]

Im glad to be on this adventure with you!!! It is definitely helpful to have someone in the same boat as you and learning together and from eachother. I always look forward to your weekly blog update