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

[Sally Sunshine]

I think it might help when you consider what the birds that come from the store go through before they are slaughtered and that your s get to live a normal chicken life and be happy and not stuck in a tiny cage until they are killed, it helps me

 

[BScott03]

SOOOOO glad I found this! I am definitely going to need all the support I can get when it comes time to butchering and processing. I just have such a soft heart for animals!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:

SOOOOO glad I found this! I am definitely going to need all the support I can get when it comes time to butchering and processing. I just have such a soft heart for animals!

well read on my friend! Welcome! I attacked it with the suggestion that "NO I DONT HAVE TO LIKE DOING THIS!"

(sorta like going to work?)

 

[sharron]

The soap helps break up the water's viscosity and allows it to penetrate into the feathers better... guess it acts kind of like a water conditioner. In fact, some places sell a water conditioner for use with processing, but the soap does the same job without buying something more.

thank you, didn't know that, always did it the way momma did

 

[sharron]

Sharon read above

Sharon read above

thanks sally, will have to remember that

 

[Elke Beck]

I wanted to add, that we did NOT do the cold water bath in between plucking


also, butchering was a breeze, but a tool like this would be cool as the lungs are the stinkers stuck in there last,
I saw them for sale, but wondering if I could make one somehow, looks like its just a ring with teeth.


http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/lung-remover/Poultry-Processing-Tools-Accessories

Sally, go to a yardsale or second hand store and buy a grapefruit spoon. They work almost as well, and you can get them for cheap. Or ask people you know if they have a grapefruit spoon or 8 that they can give you. They are the type of thing that winds up in drawers and rarely get used, so often people are willing to just let you take them.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

oh Cool, My mom may even have one..... or ebay!!!

 

[Elke Beck]

You may need to bend the spoon to get the right angle.

 

[kacklinkelly]

I am so happy for you. HMmm I don't have any spare screen door bottoms. Might have to do some scrounging. Only planning on the one for now. Picked up one of my 4 month olds and he weights quite a bit but felt scrawny meat wise. Since our instructor keeps flaking out on us I think I might do it on my own on Tuesday.

I have read on this or another thread that someone recommended using a feed bag with a small hole cut in it for the chickens head
to pop out the bottom instead of a cone. I'm going to try this method when the time comes for my cornish x.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

HOT WATER NO STRAIN FF VIDEO ~ better late than never! sorry!

I will add that DH wasn't happy about helping me to video and I also grabbed the first audio on the list!
And DH made me take out the comment about why I don't use whole grains,
you know that whole ever eat corn and see what comes back out? LMAO!


This is a question from another thread "Today I need to add more feed. I swear I read you need to leave 1/2" to an inch of water on top. I guess not."

my comment.....
REMEMBER this is the HOT WATER, NO STRAIN method! instead of all that water on top, it settles at the bottom because of the "loaf" on top! so the bottom of the feed will always be wetter than the top and hold some of the brewing juices needed for next batch! Just always leave about 4" in the pot after you pull your feed to use for your next batch!

Video taken 12 hrs before these photos





Yes it needs AIR do not cover, only cover with cheese cloth, towel or pair of nylons! MUST HAVE AIR!