Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

[BCMaraniac]

Awesome weights. Mine are minis compared to yours. What age did you process your CX at?

I got them the first part of February, so I think they were 12 weeks. One of them was a rooster, so I think he was the biggest one. I processed the rest of my roosters 2 weeks ago, and they were in the 5-6 pound range.

 

[kacklinkelly]

I got them the first part of February, so I think they were 12 weeks. One of them was a rooster, so I think he was the biggest one. I processed the rest of my roosters 2 weeks ago, and they were in the 5-6 pound range.

That makes sense. Did any of yours have leg problems? Mine were 8 weeks and only one rooster. He started crowing this past Monday so I had to take care of that b4 the neighbors complained. He was already starting to hobble around. Our son's two dogs are coming to stay with us for 10 days this upcoming weekend so I couldn't let the girls grow out any bigger. their grow out pen was not hunting dog proof. Perhaps next time. Those huge roasters of yours are making me think I want to give it one more try when the weather cools off

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[BCMaraniac]

That makes sense. Did any of yours have leg problems? Mine were 8 weeks and only one rooster. He started crowing this past Monday so I had to take care of that b4 the neighbors complained. He was already starting to hobble around. Our son's two dogs are coming to stay with us for 10 days this upcoming weekend so I couldn't let the girls grow out any bigger. their grow out pen was not hunting dog proof. Perhaps next time. Those huge roasters of yours are making me think I want to give it one more try when the weather cools off

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One of this batch had a splayed leg problem from about day 2 or 3. So I babied her along, and got her to cornish hen size, and then butchered her. That was the only leg problem. I did have one that was in congestive heart failure, so I did an emergency processing. I think that a key to helping prevent the leg problems and the CHF is to slow the growth down a bit by not feeding around the clock. I alway made sure that mine had at least 8 hours that they were without food after about 3-4 weeks of age. I think it lessens the stress on the legs and the heart.

The rooster I processed this weekend made some horrible sound this morning....which I am sure was his first attempt at crowing.

You did the right thing by processing your girls with the dogs coming. That would be a terrible thing to lose them after spending all of the time.....and food...raising them.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: agree!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Well, my deed is complete. Finished the 3 I had remaining today.
Largest weighed slightly over 3 lbs finished. (8 wks cornish x)
Not sure I will be jumping at the chance to do this again too soon but am not
against it either. The toughest part was taking the life. (did not get any easier) Some
went more smoothly than others. The cleaning (skinning)
became a non issue for me and went more quickly with
each bird. My husband did decide to help out some.

I am currently making broth. Was still unable to salvage the organs
for cooking. (one step at a time. Also was unable to go the plucking route
first time around). I can't figure out what makes that more challenging for me.

Overall, this was a positive experience and now I have some antibiotic/
hormone free chicken to feed our family. Will wait a few days before
cooking though. Thanks to so many for the support and especially to
Sally for starting this thread. Gave me all the info I needed to complete
the task at hand.

That's ok on the organs! I love beef liver and onions and wont touch a chicken liver, Mom says she never made them right, but I love heart. You can always cook them in a pot and feed to the dogs or back to the birds and your good!

Congrats!! So glad you had some help! It sure comes in handy!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Great job -Not sure I could do 6 as my hands are slightly sore just from doing 3. (I pieced them out after skinning and cleaning them) My husband was my helper (but more like my go-for)

Yeah, we are approaching our triple digit weather so I won't even consider it until the weather cools off. My next experiment is going to be making Sally's home made cooler/bator and see what happens. That won't be for a couple of months though. During this heat, I mostly stay indoors and do some sewing projects and changing things up inside the house. (it's kind of like the east coast winters in reverse)

don't forget to join us in the diary incubation thread as your building it! A lot of help on that thread! Oz has become a um Master Incubator maker! LOL

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Got the rest of my CX processed. They ranged in weight from 5lb 10oz to 6lb 8oz. Now I can concentrate on raising my Red Rangers over the summer. With any luck, no more processing till early September.

ohhhhh WOW!! See much different looking! all that skin and roundness!!! yum is reight and packaged AMAZING! where did you get the dip bags then?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

A few MEATIES questions

At what weeks age do you really have to watch for leg issues and such?

Also, Will fermented feed make them grow at a faster rate? I swear it makes my brahama grow faster! but that's like watching snails with brahma no matter!

 

[starlingsbaby]

i process my own birds,rabbits and pigs by myself with the help of my kids. the hubby said he dont have the heart or stomach lol. but at first i had a lump in my throat and could not do it. so i took to a killer and i ended up spending a handful of money that i could have saved so when time to kill again i took that receipt out AND kept telling myself that is money im throwing away and eventually it has become nothing but a PROCESS. which is really all that it is. good luck to those of you who are having problems, it will get easier.

 

[BCMaraniac]

ohhhhh WOW!! See much different looking! all that skin and roundness!!! yum is reight and packaged AMAZING! where did you get the dip bags then?

http://www.cornerstone-farm.com/equipment/poultry-packaging/shrink-bag

They have good service, too.....ordered on Monday, shipped Tuesday, and arrived on Thursday. Those chickens are in the 11 x 16 bags. Some places have plastic ties for the bags, but these bags use metal rings, so you need the little tool to crimp them. I like them a lot.