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

[Jo Anne]

Does anyone use the cone method?

 

[chiques chicks]

I use a milk jug with bottom cut out and an enlarged neck opening on occasion ( I vary in my methods)

 

[chirpingcricket]

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

Ditto! DH loves to have these kind of tidbits to share with the local farmers, etc. Guess why it takes so little detergent to wash a load of clothes. . .hummmm.

 

[chirpingcricket]

Killing cones are the best way..As I see it,,A birds brain /head is very small..By placing the bird upside down..all the blood rushes to that part of the body..We all know that too much blood will make you black out or loose consciousness. So I look @ it as the bird is already there when i swing the blade..I also have seen that if the spinal cord is not severed then the birds reaction are more calm and subdued....

Hi Alaska Fowl, welcome to BYC!!

You are going to love it here, great bunch of folks!

DH and I are going to Alaska late July/August. I hope to be able to visit a couple of places where folks raise chickens. Also want to visit the farmers market. Heard the veggies there grow huge. (We will do a few tourist things-but want to get the local cultural experience mostly.)
We will arrive in Anchorage and make our way around and up to Denali. Any recommendations would really be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[chirpingcricket]

I haven't read all the posts, but I noticed some questions about cooking birds in the pressure cooker. Here's what I've done. Butcher and skin the bird, let rest in the fridge 48 hours. I then rewash and bag the whole (small) bird and the freeze it until needed. Again, these were small heritage birds. I then pop the frozen bird in a the pressure cooker, and water up to 2/3 full or less (can be just to cover the bird), and add salt, celery, onion, and whatever else I want in there. Then I bring it up to pressure, cook for about 12 minutes at full (no dial) pressure, then quick release. The meat was perfect -- ready to fall off the bones and I had stock left over. I then take the meat and make whatever I want with it. I consider this the cheater's way because I don't like the mess of defrosting the bird in the fridge. I don't save the gizzard or giblets, so that isn't included in how I cook.

Question: What do you mean by "quick release"? Are you saying to open the pressure cooker Before it has had time to cool down and unlock? Seems like it would be hard to open and dangerous (explode/steam) if still hot. This may be a dumb question. But, I've heard people make this "quick release" statement before on BYC.

I just started using a pressure cooker last year with my garden. Had to get over this fear that my Mom instilled on me as to how dangerous the cooker could be if done incorrectly. I like it so far and will try my hand at canning meat this year too.
Still, I have a healthy respect for the cooker.

The one I have is from Wal-Mart, not real big, handles about 6 - 7 quart jars. Should I get something more heavy-duty for meat?
Lots of questions. . .Thanks in advance!

 

[Alaska Fowl INC]

Hi Alaska Fowl, welcome to BYC!!

You are going to love it here, great bunch of folks!

DH and I are going to Alaska late July/August. I hope to be able to visit a couple of places where folks raise chickens. Also want to visit the farmers market. Heard the veggies there grow huge. (We will do a few tourist things-but want to get the local cultural experience mostly.)
We will arrive in Anchorage and make our way around and up to Denali. Any recommendations would really be appreciated! Thanks!

Well that is great to hear. Its a great time to visit. As for place to visit, Kinda depends on what you in to.To much to list...There are lots of folks in the valley that could show you a good time with poultry ..Just check North to Alaska thread. Should fine some good folks there.
I am in Fairbanks,,Unless you coming up this way. State fair in early August,,I alway check the poultry barns,,,,Farmers markets are great place to meet some wonderful folks. Hope we see you...Jjimmy

 

[Elke Beck]

Question: What do you mean by "quick release"? Are you saying to open the pressure cooker Before it has had time to cool down and unlock? Seems like it would be hard to open and dangerous (explode/steam) if still hot. This may be a dumb question. But, I've heard people make this "quick release" statement before on BYC.

I'm not the person you were asking, but all pressure cookers have a way to vent off pressure quickly. On ones that have the rocker regulator (like my pressure canner) you can just take the rocker off the stem and the steam will woosh out. Some have a button, others have a lever. You can also bring the pressure down by putting the cooker in the sink and running cold water over it. Read the manual for your cooker to find out how to quick release the pressure. And for goodness sake, keep all body parts you plan on using in the future well away from the jet of steam! It will scald you in less than a second.

 

[Alaska Fowl INC]

this is the issue, cutting the neck....

I suggest that you take your time, feel the neck and be sure of your JAB then slice. The blood should come out in a stream, not drips. ONLY use an extremely sharp knife. Don't head there thinking slice fast run away like we did. Go a bit slower and be sure of your cuts. and DO the blink test, push on the eye ball make sure they are gone and have bled out for well over a minute. I posted a video a few pages back of them cutting a duck neck, watch that.

In the research I have done the say make sure you bleed them out all the way. If you don't, you get those dark blood spots next to the bones.... This is the reason you don't cut the head completely of..just the arteries in the neck. Soon as this is done the bird is basically unconscious. The heart and other organs are still working pumping all that dead oxygen blood that is returning to the heart to be cleaned. Rigamortus sets in with the bird no longer moves...Moving birds means you have done you job correctly.Check this You tube vid out..also look for more Polyface vid in column to the left....Hope this helps folks out Very informative video. Just type killing cones on You tube site...This will help. Jimmy

 

[Sally Sunshine]

cool thanks

 

[Shoshannah1993]

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