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

[jajeanpierre]

We aren't planning to make table fare out of them but will use them for chicken balls (as I have described earlier in the thread) so they don't go to waste.
It is always hard to butcher older laying hens for me.. I know it needs done when they are having trouble, but still just not so easy to get done.

I know exactly what you mean.

I have a young Ameraucana hen that I do not think has ever laid an egg in her life. I think she is laying internally. I did break take her to an avian vet (I know, I know--they are pets to me and so far I have only been able process unwanted cockerels) who said she had a lot of fluid in her abdomen from either heart failure, liver failure or internal laying. I SHOULD process her while she is happy and healthy but I just can't--she's a sweet soul. I know she will either get an infection or end up having trouble breathing, at which point I will take care of her or if I'm not here because I am traveling, my son will take her to the avian vet. I look at her, happily being a chicken, and knowing the end is near but just can't bring myself to make that decision today when I could still use her carcass.

 

[jajeanpierre]

We ordered industrial size zip ties (looks same but huge and uber strong (one inch wide by 3 feet long and secured a PVC hoop house to a few mounted boards we screwed into the base leaving a quarter inch to slip tie under. It's held up through hurricane Isaac and a multitude of storms

just a thought.

I used really big zip ties (1/2" wide) to attach my orchids to the trees when I lived in the Caribbean. They oxidized in a few years. They in the tree canopy, so not exposed to sun all the time.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I have 11 meaties in the freezer. They are 9 weeks old now. We did 7 last Tuesday. DH took care of killing 6 of them, and I told him I wanted to try the last one. It did not go as well as I had hoped.

I didn't swing right (I'm a bad swing with a hammer too) and I didn't get all the way through. I quickly repositioned it's head and got a clean hit the 2nd time. DH dispatched 4 last night and I got them processed. We have 11 still left to do. (lost one with a bum leg)

They plucked fairly easily with the right temperature of the water. I was shocked at how large their hearts were. And things are a bit more "gushy" in there, compared to a 6 month old rooster. I was also shocked by how big some of them were when done. Some looked like small turkeys. They didn't look that big alive.

I am looking forward to trying them soon!

When I discussed with someone experienced how to use a hatchet to dispatch chickens, the person advising me said I needed to practice a lot with no chicken--just me and the ax--to learn to be very accurate before I even thought about trying to dispatch a live chicken.

 

[Arielle]

I think Grainger sells them. Uline plastics may. I think home depot can order them too. They're awesome but pricey (think our 20 pack was 15 bucks - a lit in my book lol) so we only use them for important things lol I'm a ziptie fanatic

I LOVE them more than I should but all sizes have been needed here at one time or another and saved the day more than once

Quote: wow! these ARE big! ANd these are the mediums. . . .brain is working looking for other uses . . . . .

Quote: Very true-- DH can put an ax or hatchet exactly where it needs to be, so I know my hands are safe-- understand I only get these services when the chicken needs to be put down when it is time for butchering he is long gone!!

I think it was fred's hens that said he was butchering chickens as a kid: the one with the job of holding chicken and hatchet to dispatch . . . . at a really young age!!!!!!!

 

[Coralietg]

Oh my goodnesssssss!!! We processed 6 chickens today, 5 roosters and one female. We are both exhausted, it's ridiculous. I'm aching all over! Hah! Smallest one was the female at 5.5lbs processed. Biggest one was 6.8lbs. They were 8 1/2 weeks old. I have no clue how people do so many in a day. We only had one issue, a little torn skin on one after scalding too hot. Adjusted the temperature and had no other problems.

We still have 7 females left, which will be processed next week. Another 10 Cornish are free ranging outside, 4-5 weeks old (I forget) so we still have a little while on those thank goodness. I had trouble fitting the 6 into the fridge, didn't think I would have so much trouble.

 

[Bethel3330]

Great job, @Coralietg!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I hear you coralie. I did 7 in one day and I was worn out! I will definitely need help to do that many at once again.

 

[Coralietg]

I hear you coralie. I did 7 in one day and I was worn out! I will definitely need help to do that many at once again.

I had help! I couldn't imagine doing that many by myself, kudos to you! In fact, my husband nearly did everything, it was great. He killed, scalded, we both plucked, he gutted. I did a lot of the running around and random stuff. He was such a tremendous help. Now he has his "killing shack" all perfect, he got it done, lol.

 

[ronott1]

I had help! I couldn't imagine doing that many by myself, kudos to you! In fact, my husband nearly did everything, it was great. He killed, scalded, we both plucked, he gutted. I did a lot of the running around and random stuff. He was such a tremendous help. Now he has his "killing shack" all perfect, he got it done, lol.

More hands make a lighter load.

Good Job!

Ron

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Quote: Or, you could just check check pawnshops and other places for used corded drills.