Processed our first batch last weekend~Pic of one added on the grill

[DixieChickie]

Well, actually we had to do one the previous weekend, she'd had some leg problems when I got her, and had improved then she went down again, so we processed her earlier than the rest. It went well...hubby did the deed, and dunked and plucked (think he may have had the water a touch to hot on a couple, or maybe he left them in to long...skin was a peeling a bit like a sunburn) To his amazement I went through and got the left over feathers, and gutted. It wasn't bad. Guess we averaged 20 minutes per chicken. We've got some big chickens in the freezer now, I vacc sealed them. I would say we had a couple that were at least 6 pounds, but I couldn't find my kitchen scales to weigh them.
I went out Friday and picked up 6 more cornishXs they were marked down, since they were 2 weeks old. We now know the things that will make an improvement on how it's done...basically set up stuff.

*scroll down for pic*

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

 

[naakte]

I decided to raise chickens for the meat and eggs. After watching my chickies grow from day one, i no longer want them for meat... just the eggs. sad because chicken was always my favorite meat. I hopw i get over this feeling soon.

Donna in branson

 

[galanie]

Quote:
I just processed my first one yesterday, a buff orpington that was one of my four first chickens. I did it because she was disruptive and constantly terrorized my other birds, all except the top hen. I have grown to dislike her more and more. She was a year old. It wasn't easy!

It helps to dislike the chicken and also keep in mind that once the head is gone, it's just meat. I took a bag that I can't see through out for waste and put the head in it as soon as it was off. After that, it wasn't so hard. But it still freaks me just a bit to think I actually killed one of my first four darlings. She is delicious though. My cockatiel loves chicken anyway but I've never seen that bird love chicken as much as she loves the meat from this one.

It can be done. I'm sure it would be easier if it wasn't one of your first ever, though.

 

[DixieChickie]

Just an update, I made chicken and dumplins with the smallest chicken...very yummy!

But last weekend we grilled one whole.......it was sooo soooo yummy so tender and juicy, my boys kept talking about how this was the best chicken they had ever had. It was a large bird, a drumstick each filled the boys up, hubby and I split a breast and that filled us up. I'll post a pic in just a few.

 

[DixieChickie]

aaawww nobody liked my grillin pic? LoL

 

[schellie69]

I think that chicken looked great. I just wish I could raise some meat birds. I do have a broody hatching some eggs any roosters will be used for meat. I just hope not all 5 are roosters.

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

Hard to type when your fingers are greasy from picken chicken LOL!

I cooked one up last week, dutch oven employed! It was so good my tongue slapped my lips silly!

 

[GiddyMoon]

Quote:
Your grilling pic looks awesome..I am so ready to do meat birds but with summer coming..I will have to wait for fall.

 

[rickerra]

Nice! That looks delicious!

I need a new grill.

I too just ate my first processed rooster. He was a small Barred Rock... only ~12 weeks... but tasted mighty good in the chicken and rice dish!

Cheers!