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

[Coralietg]

He sounds like he may be in heart failure. I would butcher, skin, and just take them meat, and not try to salvage the whole carcass.

I couldn't save the whole thing if it's heart failure?

 

[cassie]

My first chicken was in heart failure and I salvaged the whole chicken. All eleven pounds of him. I just followed the instructions I printed out. It is really easier to do than it sounds. By the way, I had never butchered anything in my life before that chicken.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I couldn't save the whole thing if it's heart failure?

Of course you can salvage the whole thing! I was just thinking about what would be easier for you given your pregnancy and your two small children.

When I had this happen to me, I didn't want to dry pluck or fool with the intestines, and I didn't want to just scald one bird......but that was just me. Many folks have had this happen and successfully saved the whole carcass.

It's just what you want to do. We were all just trying to give you as much information as we could....along with our own experiences.

 

[Coralietg]

I'd have an easier time keeping it whole than breaking it down. The killing part daunts me the most. I have ice in the cooler, I have a huge stock pan with hot water. I screwed the old vinegar container to a tree out back and put a bucket under it.

My husband said I am being a drama queen and I should just leave it alone and wait for him to get home on Thursday

 

[BCMaraniac]

I'd have an easier time keeping it whole than breaking it down. The killing part daunts me the most. I have ice in the cooler, I have a huge stock pan with hot water. I screwed the old vinegar container to a tree out back and put a bucket under it.

My husband said I am being a drama queen and I should just leave it alone and wait for him to get home on Thursday

I can understand that. It should never be easy to kill something.

Just make sure you get a good bleed....even if you have to cut a second time. Don't be tentative when you make your cut....you want it to go deep.

As far as your DH is concerned, tell him it will be dead before Thursday.

 

[Coralietg]

It is done

Took me nearly 1 hour 45 minutes from first cut to getting it in the fridge. My killing knife is not sharp enough, I'm not happy. I bought it specifically as a killing knife. The poor guy took about 3 minutes to die and I feel terrible about it. The cone worked great, my water got too cool before I scalding. A second pair of hands would've been great. I spent the longest time plucking. He was 5.5lbs live weight, 3.7lbs processed.



I was wondering about the small marks on the skin though?

 

[BCMaraniac]

It is done

Took me nearly 1 hour 45 minutes from first cut to getting it in the fridge. My killing knife is not sharp enough, I'm not happy. I bought it specifically as a killing knife. The poor guy took about 3 minutes to die and I feel terrible about it. The cone worked great, my water got too cool before I scalding. A second pair of hands would've been great. I spent the longest time plucking. He was 5.5lbs live weight, 3.7lbs processed.



I was wondering about the small marks on the skin though?

Looks great! Congratulations!

Are they around where a feather was? Sometimes when you have to pull a good bit to pluck, there can be a little smidge of blood under the skin. It kinda looks like that to me. Others may have a better idea about it.

 

[Coralietg]

Looks great! Congratulations!

Are they around where a feather was? Sometimes when you have to pull a good bit to pluck, there can be a little smidge of blood under the skin. It kinda looks like that to me. Others may have a better idea about it.

I'm wondering if it's little bruises from the other chickens clambering over him when he couldn't walk. I'm just glad it's over with. I'm trying not to think of the other 15 out there, plus the 10 that will be ready next month, haha. At least half of them will be skinned for parts, so that should save some time.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Wow trying to grab links and stuff from this thread, so much stuff on it! its impossible! you guys are awesome! Holy info packed!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]