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

[chicksooner]

oh chicks! He didn't want to or it got too late? Are you sad or happy

the day ended before we wanted it too.. Weekends are not long enough. I do think I sold The Terrorist hopefully. I think he is the only one I have any attachment to. stupid bird that pecks my feet legs and hands.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: awwww

 

[chiques chicks]

As far as someone stealing them, always a risk, but I know in my area, there is still some trust. Thats just a risk that has to be taken, and yes sometimes that trust is broken. I wouldn't use as good/expensive cooler or cages. Kind of like a trapper not disturbing anothers traps. People getting animals processed for the most part have respect for each others animals and the work that went in to it.
As for prices, can't answer.

As for doing it yourself, I don't enjoy the killing part, I just try to separate myself from it. I do industrial first responder work. It is much the same. I learn to separate myself from what I adm doing, otherwise I couldn't deal with the blood and other nasty stuff (up to and including body parts). People ask how I can handle it. My response is, it's just meat.

I have developed my own killing method. I tried three hatchet, I tried the knife. I now use a .22. Either a scooped rifle off as bench or a revolver from close up. I hang the bird by the feet, or in a cone, wait for them to relax, them shot in the back of the head and take out the brain stem. The less a bird tenses at death, the more tender the meat. I find this very quick and little struggling. Just what works for me. (I have enough property and live in a place I may shoot.)

 

[chicksooner]

You know I am sitting here thinking, I cant even begin to imagine the world 100 years from now, look how displaced we are in such short time periods! not sure displaced is the right word but you know what I am saying! We have gone to raising our own food, or at least close by, to not even knowing what the animal looks like we are eating!

Maybe we will get all our calories and vitamins and minerals in a daily shot sanctioned by the government...yup I am a little pessimistic. Self sufficiency here I come.

My mother will not even eat a cupcake that I've made, or anything I've used my eggs in. She hates my chickens and thinks farm fresh eggs are disgusting. There is no rationalizing with her. For Easter I bought white eggs to make deviled eggs so she would eat them. At least I'm not as bad as her, LOL!

she reminds me of my grandmother.

As far as someone stealing them, always a risk, but I know in my area, there is still some trust. Thats just a risk that has to be taken, and yes sometimes that trust is broken. I wouldn't use as good/expensive cooler or cages. Kind of like a trapper not disturbing anothers traps. People getting animals processed for the most part have respect for each others animals and the work that went in to it.
As for prices, can't answer.

As for doing it yourself, I don't enjoy the killing part, I just try to separate myself from it. I do industrial first responder work. It is much the same. I learn to separate myself from what I adm doing, otherwise I couldn't deal with the blood and other nasty stuff (up to and including body parts). People ask how I can handle it. My response is, it's just meat.

I have developed my own killing method. I tried three hatchet, I tried the knife. I now use a .22. Either a scooped rifle off as bench or a revolver from close up. I hang the bird by the feet, or in a cone, wait for them to relax, them shot in the back of the head and take out the brain stem. The less a bird tenses at death, the more tender the meat. I find this very quick and little struggling. Just what works for me. (I have enough property and live in a place I may shoot.)

I know someone who uses a pellet gun and does the same as you. I think I like the quick relaxed way.

 

[chiques chicks]

Another option.
There are certain cultures that prefer to process their own food, for religious or other regions. Think of the societies that have open air markets with live animals. Iraqi/Muslim is one I know of.
Many of those who have immigrated here actually miss that part of their ritual and will buy your excess for a reasonable price. I've only done it once, but the person was very grateful for the opportunity. The rooster was what I consider old for meat (9 months?) and not a high meat bird (3.5# dressed) but they we still thankful.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

As far as someone stealing them, always a risk, but I know in my area, there is still some trust. Thats just a risk that has to be taken, and yes sometimes that trust is broken. I wouldn't use as good/expensive cooler or cages. Kind of like a trapper not disturbing anothers traps. People getting animals processed for the most part have respect for each others animals and the work that went in to it.
As for prices, can't answer.

As for doing it yourself, I don't enjoy the killing part, I just try to separate myself from it. I do industrial first responder work. It is much the same. I learn to separate myself from what I adm doing, otherwise I couldn't deal with the blood and other nasty stuff (up to and including body parts). People ask how I can handle it. My response is, it's just meat.

I have developed my own killing method. I tried three hatchet, I tried the knife. I now use a .22. Either a scooped rifle off as bench or a revolver from close up. I hang the bird by the feet, or in a cone, wait for them to relax, them shot in the back of the head and take out the brain stem. The less a bird tenses at death, the more tender the meat. I find this very quick and little struggling. Just what works for me. (I have enough property and live in a place I may shoot.)

I don't trust anyone anymore, seen too much and heard too much crap lately. Its so unfortunate too!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Another option.
There are certain cultures that prefer to process their own food, for religious or other regions. Think of the societies that have open air markets with live animals. Iraqi/Muslim is one I know of.
Many of those who have immigrated here actually miss that part of their ritual and will buy your excess for a reasonable price. I've only done it once, but the person was very grateful for the opportunity. The rooster was what I consider old for meat (9 months?) and not a high meat bird (3.5# dressed) but they we still thankful.

nope that's a way out, I want the meat, yes I want the good homegrown meat!

I truly think if I get past this step I can move on to bigger better things ( like turkeys next, just three a year is all!)

 

[3 NH reds]

I am not so sure I am strong enough with a big brahma roo and DH says No way is he doing it!
Heck he even threatened not to eat the darn things! woos man!

I remember watching Ted Nugent on his show and he said if you eat meat but refuse to kill or clean animals you are paying someone to be the hit man for you and put it in trays wrapped in plastic. Some may call that harsh but it is spot on. Plenty of people will go to a store and buy it but would never raise chickens for food. One thing I keep in mind is my birds had a life that was far better than the store chickens had. You might want to look into braining birds as well. Open the beak and put a knife in the roof of the mouth right where the eyes are, it is instant and clean.Look up braining I am sure someone explains it better, stories has it with a drawing. BUY A HAVALON KNIFE it has razor sharp disposable blades, that alone improved things for me, you might think your pocket/kitchen knife is sharp until you try one.

Does it ever get easier..??

Yes it does. My first cockerel I was worried, didn't want to do it and put it off but when it was over I did not see anything in the dumplings other than "chicken" I even got over having to do in a Turkey I liked. We got 6 chicks and on day 3 the light went out overnight because a GFI tripped. I came home from a 12 hour work night and I see the box we got them in back in the coop my Wife had to take the 4 of 6 that died and put them in a box. we managed to save 2 of them and ordered 6 more. So we always knew what birds the 2 survivors were. The Tom was friendly and always came over to see me. Like an idiot I named him Thanksgiving but did not name the others. We had a big day with 6 Turkeys and he was 2nd to last, it was hard but I shot him in the head because he was so huge and it was over then and there. I thank every bird for their meat. Once they were cleaned and bagged they became Turkey and nothing else .Now cleaning chicken is almost nothing. I built a Whizbang plucker and use a hot scald so it takes no time.

EAT skin of GOATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No friggen way! EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
now oz, I swear when you write you think about responses first!

Whats the matter Sally did she get your Goat

. I am of Scottish descent but I wouldn't eat haggis. But I will eat steamed clams or lobster. Both are bottom feeders when I think about it but I was raised on it and I think that's the reason.

 

[ozexpat]

EAT skin of GOATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No friggen way! EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
now oz, I swear when you write you think about responses first!

Papaitan (from the Filipino word “pait” meaning bitter) – this is roasted goat skin, goat innards and goat tripe with bile, ginger and a tamarind soup base. The ginger and the soup help to offset the bitter taste.

I have not tried this one.

 

[ronott1]

So glad I found you all here. I bought my first meaties. My DH still thinks I'm nuts. Well, more now than ever

. He grew up in Upstate NY. Worked at a slaughter house as a teenager. Tells a story of how he processed 60 chickens with his parents and two brothers when he was about 10 years old. His job was to hold the chicken while his father cut the head off and then he was to let it run off and just grab another one.

He tells me I have no idea what it's going to be like taking the life from something. I agree as I have never been a hunter - although raised in a hunting family. Funny enough, my father is so proud of me taking this route and going back to nature. He lives in NY and I live in AZ. I won't be surprised if he shows up at my door on processing day to surprise me. (I am secretly hoping for that)

I only got four meaties to start out with. Am living in town in an HOA community. The meaties are everything that I read they would be. Cute and fuzzy to start with. Then immediately, they start changing almost daily. Smelly, smelly, smelly. Although I found that adding some DE to their bedding and feed has helped with that. I am also trying to ferment some food for them. (also recommended by many on this forum)

Today they are 3 weeks old and weigh just about 1 lb. They started at .25 (week1) .45 (week2) so you can see how quickly they are growing already. They are nothing like my pet chickens in personality or activity. I am having no problem handling them as necessary and not getting attached (so far). Today was their first taste of outside in a temporary "playpen" I set up for them. Even though they had so much more room, they basically layed by the feeder.

My plan has been to use the cone method, skin them, cut them up and freeze. Am hoping by keeping it simple and only having a few, I will get through it quickly enough. I still have a few
weeks to go. We will see.... Glad to be in good company!!

Might I suggest plucking one? They cook up much tastier with the skin on and with one you will get a feel for plucking.

Forget what you have been told about fat being bad for you. We need fat and the fat on your home raised birds is so healthy and full of omega 3s.