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

[Sally Sunshine]

We also prefer a filet knife.  We have a large number of them due to our fishing habits, so we always have one sharp and ready to go... and another tip is to have a sharpening tool available when you are butchering numerous birds.  Their skin can be tough, but the real culprit is the feathers. They dull a knife in a big hurry. If you aren't good at sharpening your own then have a spare ready to swap out when the first one dulls.
I am thankful that DH is willing to do the deed, but I did the last one because I wanted to make sure I had the experience and I prefer it be equal opportunity since he is as attached to the birds as I am.  It was difficult, but I knew the practicality of having the experience so if it ever needs done in a hurry (such as to euthanize and injured bird) I can do it quickly and efficiently myself to prevent the bird from suffering.  I would rather be traumatized myself than knowingly not do something when it may cause one of my animals pain in the future.... did that even make sense??
 Having done it though, I think I will be able to do it next time we need to butcher without it feeling like such a major hurdle. My biggest concern was failing to be able to do it quickly or finding the right cut.  Now that I've done it, that fear has diminished considerably. Now my practical side can take over and let me do what needs done.
Looks great! And I totally agree with your statement I highlighted in red!  To me, every bird we raise and butcher ourselves is one less bird being raised in a commercial farm.

Congratulations!  Now, if you don't mind, send some of that courage, confidence and peace on over to the rest of us!  haha 

. For sure!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

We also prefer a filet knife.  We have a large number of them due to our fishing habits, so we always have one sharp and ready to go... and another tip is to have a sharpening tool available when you are butchering numerous birds.  Their skin can be tough, but the real culprit is the feathers. They dull a knife in a big hurry. If you aren't good at sharpening your own then have a spare ready to swap out when the first one dulls.
I am thankful that DH is willing to do the deed, but I did the last one because I wanted to make sure I had the experience and I prefer it be equal opportunity since he is as attached to the birds as I am.  It was difficult, but I knew the practicality of having the experience so if it ever needs done in a hurry (such as to euthanize and injured bird) I can do it quickly and efficiently myself to prevent the bird from suffering.  I would rather be traumatized myself than knowingly not do something when it may cause one of my animals pain in the future.... did that even make sense??
 Having done it though, I think I will be able to do it next time we need to butcher without it feeling like such a major hurdle. My biggest concern was failing to be able to do it quickly or finding the right cut.  Now that I've done it, that fear has diminished considerably. Now my practical side can take over and let me do what needs done.
Looks great! And I totally agree with your statement I highlighted in red!  To me, every bird we raise and butcher ourselves is one less bird being raised in a commercial farm.

Congratulations!  Now, if you don't mind, send some of that courage, confidence and peace on over to the rest of us!  haha 

. For sure!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

We also prefer a filet knife.  We have a large number of them due to our fishing habits, so we always have one sharp and ready to go... and another tip is to have a sharpening tool available when you are butchering numerous birds.  Their skin can be tough, but the real culprit is the feathers. They dull a knife in a big hurry. If you aren't good at sharpening your own then have a spare ready to swap out when the first one dulls.
I am thankful that DH is willing to do the deed, but I did the last one because I wanted to make sure I had the experience and I prefer it be equal opportunity since he is as attached to the birds as I am.  It was difficult, but I knew the practicality of having the experience so if it ever needs done in a hurry (such as to euthanize and injured bird) I can do it quickly and efficiently myself to prevent the bird from suffering.  I would rather be traumatized myself than knowingly not do something when it may cause one of my animals pain in the future.... did that even make sense??
 Having done it though, I think I will be able to do it next time we need to butcher without it feeling like such a major hurdle. My biggest concern was failing to be able to do it quickly or finding the right cut.  Now that I've done it, that fear has diminished considerably. Now my practical side can take over and let me do what needs done.
Looks great! And I totally agree with your statement I highlighted in red!  To me, every bird we raise and butcher ourselves is one less bird being raised in a commercial farm.

Congratulations!  Now, if you don't mind, send some of that courage, confidence and peace on over to the rest of us!  haha 

. For sure!

 

[fisherlady]

Sally, you are stuttering!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

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.

Awesome information, thank you! I knew there had to be some reason people were doing it.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Sally, you are stuttering!

oh what in the world! I never use my cell and I was on it sitting in the parking lot at Home depo!! LOL
I am sorry! sometimes it happens I guess! wow

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Thought I would share, quick way to skin and clean WITHOUT having to due a hotwater pluck

AND HOW TO GUT quickly



Chicken processing on our farm, October 22. Sorry about the wind noise...the only important thing that is hard to hear is that we use Apple Cider Vinegar in the final step as a natural disinfectant. Visit our website at http://www.custerfamilyfarm.com.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I am such an freak! one minute I am fine envisioning all this and then I place my roos in that vision and I am wrenched, wtheck is wrong with me!
Tomorrow morning I will start reading from the beginning of this thread again and go through all we have discussed and try to get my mindset back,
but right now its gone! I cant believe I am having such an issue with this, my dad would certainly have a good laugh and some smarty comments for me!
He would certainly call me a GIRL like oz did

 

[BCMaraniac]

I am such an freak! one minute I am fine envisioning all this and then I place my roos in that vision and I am wrenched, wtheck is wrong with me!
Tomorrow morning I will start reading from the beginning of this thread again and go through all we have discussed and try to get my mindset back,
but right now its gone! I cant believe I am having such an issue with this, my dad would certainly have a good laugh and some smarty comments for me!
He would certainly call me a GIRL like oz did

You are not a freak, and I am sorry this is so difficult. I know your head is thinking about the practicality of it, but your heart thinks about the taking of a life. That just means you have a conscience and value life. I know a woman who has chickens, and when her hens hatch out chicks, if she can't find someone to give the roos to she takes them to the woods and turns them loose to fend for themselves. Now THAT is cruel in my mind. You and I both know that she is putting them out to literally be eaten alive.

I know this is hard, but it IS humane.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

You are not a freak, and I am sorry this is so difficult. I know your head is thinking about the practicality of it, but your heart thinks about the taking of a life. That just means you have a conscience and value life. I know a woman who has chickens, and when her hens hatch out chicks, if she can't find someone to give the roos to she takes them to the woods and turns them loose to fend for themselves. Now THAT is cruel in my mind. You and I both know that she is putting them out to literally be eaten alive.

I know this is hard, but it IS humane.

Really? Don't those roos come home? How awful.