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

[mikkles]

i believe i have to post in order to subscribe from my phone. i haven't had to process any birds yet...but am not looking forward to when i do. I'm sure this will help when the time comes.

 

[ronott1]

Sally, I hope you've managed to do the deed as I see this post is over a year old. I killed birds for the first time yesterday - quail, but still. What sent me over the edge from wanting my BIL to come kill them to just getting it over with? Poop. He couldn't come until next weekend and I'm sick and tired of feeding and cleaning up after these birds that have been designated for meat and need to go into the freezer.

Turns out the killing part is less of a hassle than the processing. Once I got over myself and just did it, it was easy.

Good luck,

Caroline

Sally Processed yesterday!

 

[BCMaraniac]

Sally, I hope you've managed to do the deed as I see this post is over a year old. I killed birds for the first time yesterday - quail, but still. What sent me over the edge from wanting my BIL to come kill them to just getting it over with? Poop. He couldn't come until next weekend and I'm sick and tired of feeding and cleaning up after these birds that have been designated for meat and need to go into the freezer.

Turns out the killing part is less of a hassle than the processing. Once I got over myself and just did it, it was easy.

Good luck,

Caroline

Caroline,

I processed this weekend as well....6 nine-week-old Cornish Rocks, and a Cornish Rock 4 weeks old that had a bad leg. We didn't have a killing cone, but my hubby is all in for that now since I made him hold them down in a 6-gallon bucket while they bled out.It is strange to se their empty pen. But more meaties are on their way in 3 week, and I have 12 to process in 4 weeks. Hopefully plenty of chicken for the freezer!!

You said you processed quail.....the little Cornish Rock was much harder for me to process just because of the size. You may find that chickens are easier to process even though they are bigger.

 

[3 NH reds]

yes and I can remove the tissues as they were not needed....

BUT I CAN SAY this.....
I had an extremely short fuse as I was setting things up, I kept telling myself, darm straight I DO NOT HAVE TO LIKE this but I need to do it, I told the kids to run for the lives and stay out of my way! Seriously stressful before hand and then when the life was gone, it was better and I told everyone to breath and take our time and we all did so very calmly

Glad you got this done, It's a relief when its over. Did your husband stay calm and out of your way? My niece is a vegetarian convert and her 4 year old daughter loves to show people their dinner in the coop. She did not mind the chickens being processed, the chickens liked to follow her because she tossed scratch to them and when you are 4 chickens following can be scary

oh wow Awesome Wing! your so kind my friend! you know I have to admit I seriously want these three turkeys in the bator to make it now!

Just make sure you have a cone big enough for turkey. We had to use a bag last year and it was rough on my wife so this year it's gonna be the cone

You haven't at all.

I do believe its important that we NOT forget where our food comes from, it leaves us open to commercial industries that are only trying to make a buck and not feed our children healthy foods.

I am glad I overcame and have learned so much. Its something everyone should not forget and learn to respect the food they eat. In less than 100 years our society has changed so much, some for the good and some for the bad. Its up to each of us to make a difference in our own children's lives and not place false images (not sure that's the right words) in front of them.

For me it makes me more respect full of our food. I don't let it go to waste and feed it to the dogs. This year we are starting a big garden to try to get more local food.

Good for you and your family's for anyone out there raising your own food. Keep it local and fresh.

 

[sharron]

been processing for years, but never put soap in the water, can you tell me why? and how much?

 

[chirpingcricket]

Sally, I hope you've managed to do the deed as I see this post is over a year old. I killed birds for the first time yesterday - quail, but still. What sent me over the edge from wanting my BIL to come kill them to just getting it over with? Poop. He couldn't come until next weekend and I'm sick and tired of feeding and cleaning up after these birds that have been designated for meat and need to go into the freezer.

Turns out the killing part is less of a hassle than the processing. Once I got over myself and just did it, it was easy.

Good luck,

Caroline

Hello and welcome to BYC!!

 

[fisherlady]

been processing for years, but never put soap in the water, can you tell me why? and how much?

The soap helps break up the water's viscosity and allows it to penetrate into the feathers better... guess it acts kind of like a water conditioner. In fact, some places sell a water conditioner for use with processing, but the soap does the same job without buying something more.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote button not working, but I wanted to comment on the dish soap in the scald water thing. I was a volunteer firefighter for many years, and because we have very few hydrants in our rural city, we had to carry all of our water to grass/forest fires via tanker trucks. We then carried 10 gallon packs on our backs into the fires to put them out. We always put dish soap in the tankers (it's called "wet water" in the fire industry) because it makes the water soak into organic materials very quickly. Same with chicken feathers, it would seem. Less time in the scalding pot = less chance of over-scalding.

Sharon read above

 

[Sally Sunshine]

i believe i have to post in order to subscribe from my phone. i haven't had to process any birds yet...but am not looking forward to when i do. I'm sure this will help when the time comes.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Sally, I hope you've managed to do the deed as I see this post is over a year old. I killed birds for the first time yesterday - quail, but still. What sent me over the edge from wanting my BIL to come kill them to just getting it over with? Poop. He couldn't come until next weekend and I'm sick and tired of feeding and cleaning up after these birds that have been designated for meat and need to go into the freezer.

Turns out the killing part is less of a hassle than the processing. Once I got over myself and just did it, it was easy.

Good luck,

Caroline

Welcome Caroline!