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

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Anyone have neck anatomy image? hmmmm

I have to say just because some people raise chickens it doesn't mean they have the stomach to kill them , I have a hard time with my own blood or my kid getting stitches I almost passed out in the hospital and same when I had to have a spider bite on my arm drained I almost hit the floor.
But I just go right out there and Kill a chicken if I need to I have no problem getting rid of a aggressive rooster and Just baring it in the ground , same with raccoons and possum's I can shoot them No problems there , Just don't show me My own blood ! So maybe I can work in a slaughter house But not in a city morgue

LOL

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Orphs?

 

[chicksooner]

Orphs?

yup

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote: Both.

Quote: I think everyone who processes an animal has some that didn't go so well, no matter what method you use.

The hardest part with the hatchet is you have to hold their body while it is quivering. That's what I cannot handle. If I'm going to do it, I need a cone.

With the cone - you can get a kit from McMurray that includes the knife. Also, from what I've read, you do not want to cut the windpipe on the bird - just the sides of the neck.

To further complicate your decision, I know someone that uses a tool similar to an icepick and puts that through the roof of their mouth killing them by going up into their brain. I couldn't ever see myself doing that one. She says it's a quick death, then she bleeds them out. But it's just too gruesome for me.

 

[chiques chicks]

I have to say just because some people raise chickens it doesn't mean they have the stomach to kill them , I have a hard time with my own blood or my kid getting stitches I almost passed out in the hospital and same when I had to have a spider bite on my arm drained I almost hit the floor. But I just go right out there and Kill a chicken if I need to I have no problem getting rid of a aggressive rooster and Just baring it in the ground , same with raccoons and possum's I can shoot them No problems there , Just don't show me My own blood ! So maybe I can work in a slaughter house But not in a city morgue

I agree 100%. Slaughtering is not for everyone, and that is fine. You are killing something, no way around it. Blood does bother a lot of people. I know big tough guys who hunt, kill, and process animals frequently, but pass out at the sight of a bleeding person or blood. That is just reality. No one should be forced to process if they are not comfortable. Nor should they be forced to east meat of their own birds if it bothers them. If you do want to start to process your own and have no experience with any processing animals, it would be good to help someone who has done it before to learn. There are a few tricky things it helps to know and see. Like removing the lungs. Also, don't try to do too many. You will get tired and frustrated. I would say if hand plucking, 2 or 3. I did 5 the first time. It was too many to start. After you've done some. It will get easier add you learn the tricks of the trade. I'm still learning. I still prefer 3 at a time. Enough to justify heating the wate but not too many to exhaust me. If you find it is not for you, there is nothing wrong with having someone else do it, or selling them or giving them away. For me, it was a skill I wanted to have in my bag of tricks.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

oh my!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: I think everyone who processes an animal has some that didn't go so well, no matter what method you use.

The hardest part with the hatchet is you have to hold their body while it is quivering. That's what I cannot handle. If I'm going to do it, I need a cone.

With the cone - you can get a kit from McMurray that includes the knife. Also, from what I've read, you do not want to cut the windpipe on the bird - just the sides of the neck.

To further complicate your decision, I know someone that uses a tool similar to an icepick and puts that through the roof of their mouth killing them by going up into their brain. I couldn't ever see myself doing that one. She says it's a quick death, then she bleeds them out. But it's just too gruesome for me.
I agree but I wont cross it out yet because reading pithing makes the most sense and has actual benefits to both bird and processing.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: I wish DH would man up and say he will eat them, he said he can kill them just not eat them.
I need a physiatrist for him perhaps?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

"dunk the bird into hot soapy water (146˚F). The soap helps the water penetrate the feathers and reach the skin ultimately loosening the feathers."


What kinda soap and how much? Dawn dish soap or ivory

Adding.... Thoughts on actually washing the birds before processing/during?

 

[chicksooner]

"dunk the bird into hot soapy water (146˚F). The soap helps the water penetrate the feathers and reach the skin ultimately loosening the feathers."


What kinda soap and how much? Dawn dish soap or ivory

Adding.... Thoughts on actually washing the birds before processing/during?

So do you wash them before the processing starts or after you have slit the neck and drained the blood?