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

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: awesome!

 

[missnu01]

We do it caveman style around here..no gloves, no aprons, no raincoats...we end up with blood on the ax log, and some on the table, but there's no like gushing or splurting blood...it's not as bad as I first thought it would be...

 

[3 NH reds]

How is this list of items necessary?

• Knives VERY SHARP
• Killing cone with bucket and Garbage bag
• Buckets and/or pails for the guts and other discarded pieces.
• Water- Running Preferably
• Gloves Optional, but are sanitary
• Old clothes
• Work Table One that can be easily hosed and cleaned
• Scalding Tank/Stockpot, Thermometer, burner or fire, Dawn Dish Soap
• Paper towels, trash bags & rags
• Cutting board/s
• Plastic bags for storage and tubs for resting/brining meat before freezing
• Brining ingredients Salt/Sugar
• Tissues to dry tears
  
• Chickens, don't forget those!
• dispozable gloves
• This is the Knife I am talking about change the blade done razor sharp

Havalon Piranta-EDGE
Hunting & Skinning Knife

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(208 reviews)
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Regular price: $44.99
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You can go right to the web site to get them. Someone on this site recomended it and what a difference it made, night and day

 

[chicksooner]

Good list, but add....

* Scrub brushes- one or two, plastic bristle type, used for assisting in the cleaning of surfaces
* Scrubber sponges- for wiping out buckets and coolers
* Kitchen Cleaner- your preferred bleach or bleach alternative sanitizer for working surfaces and cooler cleaning
* Face shield or at least Safety glasses for person working around the scalding water, can help prevent splatter... personal preference on this one...
*Bone Scissors.... optional, because you can seperate joints easily enough with sharp knife with practice, but have used them on legs and wings and depending on your
hand strength and arthritis you may want options.... you will find your hands get tired.
* bags of ice- cooling the birds quickly can help prevent bacteria growth, so ice bathing to bring temp down is often used. a few bags of ice can help do this, again, it is an option to consider.

Thanks for the list of supplies. I really need a step by step written out. Anyone know of one already.

 

[fisherlady]

Actually, if you know ahead of time when you will be doing the birds... gather a bunch of 1/2 gallon milk bottles and gator ade type bottles and even soda bottles. Fill them 3/4 full of tap water and place in a freezer for a few days. Once these are frozen solid they can be used instead of bag ice or cube ice to chill water... or can be used in conjunction with a lesser quantity of bag ice.

Nice thing about these home made ice bottles is that they can just be rinsed off and reused as often as needed and they don't melt quickly at all! We use these all summer long on our boat on Lake Erie... so they are in coolers and live wells with fish for 8 or 10 hours and still mostly frozen. We get back to camp, rinse them off, stick them back into freezer to keep overnight and use them again the next day. When they crack or develop leaks you just toss them and get a fresh bottle.

Bag ice is something like $4 a bag depending on size... so an alternative is great when you are using it often.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I found more info on actually cutting the neck....

"The next step is often the hardest one for beginners. Pull the bird’s head firmly through the bottom of the killing cone and hold it. Using your sharpest knife, cut just behind where the tendon attaches for the beak and tongue. You’ll feel a hard piece of cartilage behind the jaw attachment. You want to sever the jugular vein and carotid artery. Make a deep, firm slice on both sides of the neck. Pull the head down firmly and allow the blood to drain. At this point, the bird will kick and jerk. Remain calm. This a normal part of the process, although it can be stressful. The bird is unconscious and not aware of anything at this point. When the blood has completely drained and the bird is still, you can move on to the next step." http://smallfarm.about.com/od/farmanimals/ss/processchickens_2.htm




This site has a video CLOSE UP of Slicing the two arteries.....
http://www.hsa.org.uk/POULTRY WEBSITE/Poultry Slaughter Project/PSPSite/Neck Cutting.htm

also the site has a suggestion & video for.....
"Checking Unconsciousness:
It is important to check unconsciousness by the absence of a blink reflex when the cornea (the surface of the eyeball) is touched. Presence of a blink reflex must be acted upon immediately: it may not indicate full consciousness but the return of this reflex after stunning is a sign of some brain function returning and it indicates the possibility that consciousness may also be returning. Do not hesitate to repeat the stun or use a back up method."



it also states "The use of a firearm to slaughter poultry is not safe or practical and is not recommended."

 

[missnu01]

That is a good idea about the bottles

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Also I am reading that you should stun the bird first before cutting the neck?
Because it takes 30 seconds for bleeding out and the brain is still functioning
And its also suggests stunning in Niftys heath guide too, under euthanasia.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: We are writing one! LOL you know me I will add it all to the first page until I cant edit then on to article section with a link!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Actually, if you know ahead of time when you will be doing the birds... gather a bunch of 1/2 gallon milk bottles and gator ade type bottles and even soda bottles. Fill them 3/4 full of tap water and place in a freezer for a few days. Once these are frozen solid they can be used instead of bag ice or cube ice to chill water... or can be used in conjunction with a lesser quantity of bag ice.

Nice thing about these home made ice bottles is that they can just be rinsed off and reused as often as needed and they don't melt quickly at all! We use these all summer long on our boat on Lake Erie... so they are in coolers and live wells with fish for 8 or 10 hours and still mostly frozen. We get back to camp, rinse them off, stick them back into freezer to keep overnight and use them again the next day. When they crack or develop leaks you just toss them and get a fresh bottle.

Bag ice is something like $4 a bag depending on size... so an alternative is great when you are using it often.