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

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: u know me better than that chicks! muhwahhahhhaaaa I didn't care about any meds, I did the drink! /s only two! Did you know wine is good for you?????

 

[chicksooner]

u know me better than that chicks! muhwahhahhhaaaa I didn't care about any meds, I did the drink! /s only two! Did you know wine is good for you?????

Do you know how bad I want some wine?! Waiting for my dr to call me back because these pills suck.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Do you know how bad I want some wine?! Waiting for my dr to call me back because these pills suck.

I had hard cider over the weekend.....and didn't even process chickens. It rained Saturday, and I didn't really want to process on Mother's Day, so I still have 6 CX to process. That will be a good excuse to have some more cider...or wine.

If you don't me asking....what is your new BP med?

 

[aoxa]

I'd like to join in on this thread. We have tried several different methods of processing, and I prefer slicing the jugular. I find it is the least stressful on the bird, and the human.

I have also tried:

• Axe (Way too uncoordinated. Even with someone holding bird down) I found the bird was terrified up until death. It was not a good experience.
• Breaking neck (Screwed that up too)

As soon as the birds were upside down they were in a trance. Once neck was cut they didn't appear to feel anything. If you think of it like this: If you get a deep laceration, you don't feel the pain right away. I speak from experience.. I had a cat attack my face and had to get 22 stitches. I cried instantly. I thought they were going to kill my cat, and didn't feel like it was his fault. I didn't feel any pain until 20 minutes later. The theory is this: When the chicken's pain sensors would kick in, they would already be long dead. The birds seemed to be in more pain being touched than this part.

I ordered 30 meat birds that will be free ranged. They are due to arrive June 28th. I never look forward to killing a living thing. The days leading up to the kill are always worse than actually doing the killing.

I am not heartless.. I swore a year ago I would rather die myself than take an animal's life.. But seeing an animal suffering? I can't do it. I can't let them suffer when I can take away that pain. That is how I killed my first chicken. We were also to kill 8 boys for meat, and my friend Dylan was to do the actual killing but botched it. I stepped in and finished the job. I did the remaining 7 roosters myself. Couldn't risk him messing up again.

I am not cheap. If I felt like the birds weren't paid undue stress by sending them to the butcher, I would pay someone else to do it. I do the killing because it is what is best for the birds. They were born here, and if they are going to die for meat, they will do it here.

 

[Wax Myrtle]

Hi, aoxa! So glad to see you again! I've been lurking on your rebuild thread - I am a couple weeks behind and need to get caught up.

I hear you on the take over and do it yourself. Unnecessary stress is also part of why I process myself, at home.

 

[aoxa]

Hi, aoxa! So glad to see you again! I've been lurking on your rebuild thread - I am a couple weeks behind and need to get caught up.

I hear you on the take over and do it yourself.

Unnecessary stress is also part of why I process myself, at home.

Lots of rebuilding going on this week! Can't wait

My biggest concern with this group of birds.. how on earth am I going to process 30? That is a lot of birds.. Going to need to assemble a crew for the processing part!

8 birds took us 2.5 hours and there was 2 people on plucking and killing and 2 people on gutting and cleaning. The biggest issue was that we kept blowing fuses. You can't boil water and keep it hot at the same time apparently. We used a kettle to boil the water, and kept it warm on a camp burner. We have a good electric set up this time around, and a room where we can put a table down (inside) to do the processing.

 

[Wax Myrtle]

Lots of rebuilding going on this week! Can't wait  

My biggest concern with this group of birds.. how on earth am I going to process 30? That is a lot of birds.. Going to need to assemble a crew for the processing part!

8 birds took us 2.5 hours and there was 2 people on plucking and killing and 2 people on gutting and cleaning. The biggest issue was that we kept blowing fuses. You can't boil water and keep it hot at the same time apparently. We used a kettle to boil the water, and kept it warm on a camp burner. We have a good electric set up this time around, and a room where we can put a table down (inside) to do the processing. 

I hear you there. I have nearly two dozen to do all by myself, no plucker. I plan to get through them one at a time. I might shanghai a friend into helping, but that may or may not work out. Do you have colored rangers or CX?

 

[aoxa]

I hear you there. I have nearly two dozen to do all by myself, no plucker. I plan to get through them one at a time.

I might shanghai a friend into helping, but that may or may not work out. Do you have colored rangers or CX?

Here we call them meat kings. I am not sure if the breeding is exactly that of your typical CX, but they do look similar.

I plan to let them grow slowly. Free ranging and feeding once a day (after 2 weeks old)

CX can indeed free range. Just thought I'd share this video that changed my whole view on it.

 

[Wax Myrtle]

My internet is only slightly faster than two cans and some string,so I really can't view videos, but if that's Beekissed's CX, I have seen that one before. I would range mine, but my main flock has that right, and I prefer not to deal with injuries on the meaties. The egg layers are bratty.

 

[aoxa]

My internet is only slightly faster than two cans and some string,so I really can't view videos, but if that's Beekissed's CX, I have seen that one before.

I would range mine, but my main flock has that right, and I prefer not to deal with injuries on the meaties. The egg layers are bratty.

I only have a few birds to worry about bothering them. I think it should be fine. I raised 21 layers who free ranged right along the adults at 2 weeks. Yes it is Beekissed's video.

I swore I would never get any CX because I thought they lived a sad and lazy life. Glad to know they don't have to sit around all day