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

[gryeyes]

well, they take them for me, which is to my benefit. Plus they feed them and care for them until they are processed. So about every third one or so, I get the carcass back. (My terms, to which they easily agreed.) I am also "going in with them" on some meaties, I paid for ten of the athirty-five cornish X chicks they're raising now, and I kick in on feed. I have cooked and eaten one of my own birds. They were kind enough to not tell me which one. It was quite tasty. There's another in the freezer, but I know "who" it was, because of the color of its flesh. (BCM/silkie cross.) He will be pressure cooked next week some time. I am invited to each Process Day but have not yet accepted the offers. I do know they use humane methods and a Native American prayer of Thankfulness is said over each sacrifice. This is important to me.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

oh wow, see now I have silkies and that I don't think I could get around even with help!

I saw pics of them "necked"

 

[goldfinches]

I've kinda skimmed your thread, I don't know if you're processing extra roosters or growing meaties.

i've done both.

The roosters, mine were all mean. They each crossed a line and had to go. I wasn't sad to see it, but my DH had to do the killing.

Eating them was odd. I actually ended up tossing a couple of them. Couldn't quite make myself cook him.


Meaties, on the other hand. They're so cute when they're babies. Then, they start to grow. And, most of them are nice, sweet, don't grow old enough to be mean.

But they're NASTY! Even mine, who live outside on fresh grass daily. Their feathers aren't full, they're odd shaped.

I've never killed them either, but have done the rest of the processing.

Maybe you should get a batch of meaties to get some practice and get a little used to the process...

 

[Tlammy]

Does it ever get easier..??

 

[BorderBrigade]

Hi Sally, I am in the same boat as you are. I hatched out some wyandottes this year with the expectation that I would process the extra Roos for meat. I was also given a lame cochin pullet that I will also process. I am a hunter and have taken various animals down over the years but never any with my bare hands is where my hang up is. Always on the end of a gun. I will be ok once they are dead it's just killing them. Who are you having process yours? What age does everyone usually wait until you consider them butcher weight? I've heard anywhere between four months to 6 months for heritage breeds. I think having someone around who would walk me through it would be helpful but don't know of anyone who has processed birds before so if you know of anyone I would be interested In a "party". I don't live far from you Kristen

 

[barbiegirl]

I helped process my meat birds this year. It was very hard for me. I'm a huge animal lover and hate to see animals in pain. I promised my hubby I would take care of them and help with the processing. I went in the run and picked out a chicken. I held him and petted him and thanked him for his life. I hung him upside down and hubby cut his throat to bleed him. I cried. When he was dead I plucked his feathers and hubby gutted him. What helped me get throuh it was knowing that they were loved and had happy chicken lives. Hang in there. This past weekend we sent 3 roosters to freezer camp. Big hugs to you Sally.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I've kinda skimmed your thread, I don't know if you're processing extra roosters or growing meaties.

i've done both.

The roosters, mine were all mean. They each crossed a line and had to go. I wasn't sad to see it, but my DH had to do the killing.

Eating them was odd. I actually ended up tossing a couple of them. Couldn't quite make myself cook him.


Meaties, on the other hand. They're so cute when they're babies. Then, they start to grow. And, most of them are nice, sweet, don't grow old enough to be mean.

But they're NASTY! Even mine, who live outside on fresh grass daily. Their feathers aren't full, they're odd shaped.

I've never killed them either, but have done the rest of the processing.

Maybe you should get a batch of meaties to get some practice and get a little used to the process...

no meaties just extras and a loud mouth. They are beautiful sweet birds, this is my main issue I guess : ( they come "galloping" to me and make me chuckle, make me gaze at their coloring and drive me insane when I think about eating them! I wish I could see them as a chicken nugget or bbq leg !

I agree I should get a few meaties, I will have to research what breeds they are, I haven't a clue.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Hi Sally, I am in the same boat as you are. I hatched out some wyandottes this year with the expectation that I would process the extra Roos for meat. I was also given a lame cochin pullet that I will also process. I am a hunter and have taken various animals down over the years but never any with my bare hands is where my hang up is. Always on the end of a gun. I will be ok once they are dead it's just killing them. Who are you having process yours? What age does everyone usually wait until you consider them butcher weight? I've heard anywhere between four months to 6 months for heritage breeds. I think having someone around who would walk me through it would be helpful but don't know of anyone who has processed birds before so if you know of anyone I would be interested In a "party". I don't live far from you Kristen

They are almost 7 months old Brahma and are huge and started to crow. You see we are breeding Blue/Partridge Brahma and have to grow out birds to choose breeders, this is more difficult than anything so far for us. They are Gorgeous even if they have faults! There is some local farmer that will do them for $1.50 a bird. I don't know their process and Pray I don't have to be there. I am calling in the morning for details and when he can fit them in. The sooner the better I want it over with! I already gave 3 big ones away and I cant afford to keep doing it.
Thank you Kristen

Does it ever get easier..??

OMG somebody better tell me it does! and I aint started yet!

 

[fisherlady]

Does it ever get easier..??

Yes... but it isn't ever 'easy'... or at least it shouldn't be done lightly.
We are taking a life, but if we treat the animal with respect and make sure we can do what needs done in a quick and merciful manner then you are doing right by the animal. I get comfort in knowing that our birds are well taken care of up to and including the time of processing. And maintaining that respect makes it possible to give thanks and get through the hardest times with it.
Once they are dead it does become more practical and less emotional. and once they are processed and not recognizable then they are simply appreciated as well raised and very flavorful birds that I know are as healthy for us as we are able to provide.

Sally... Radioman and I process our own, and it isn't 'easy'. The first roo we had to do was one of our favorites but he had to go because he turned nasty on one hen. But he was friendly with us. So it sucked. But we did it, using the cone and jugular cut method. It wasn't very dramatic and no flopping around or suffering with him being zoned out from being upside down first. Since then we have done many more, and are raising meaties for butchering in a few weeks. We will also have another 5 or 6 roos due for butchering by mid to late summer. So will be having to get out the cone a number of times.
If you decide to have a get together then let us know when and where, we will travel. We can't make it easy for you, but maybe we can make it easier if you know that others are there who understand and have been where you are right now.

 

[barbiegirl]

I don't know if it gets easier. I had 80 meaties I did and every day I cried. I cried last weekend when we did our silver laced wyandotte roosters. I don't think that taking a life shouldn't get eaiser, just my opinion. Every life is presious and shouldn't be taken for granted. I know the next time we process I will cry but that is just me.