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

[Coralietg]

Just wanted to post a little update. Every time I mention to my husband about processing the chickens, he gets a "caught in the headlights" look on his face. I'm trying to squeeze out of him what he is actually comfortable with doing, and every time he changes the subject. Why do I have a funny feeling that I am going to be dispatching them all? I really didn't want to!

 

[Beekissed]

Sometimes guys are such mushpots, aren't they? You can do it....a couple of years back I did 50 by myself. Just worked steady on them each day until I got them all done.

 

[Coralietg]

He's doing an excellent job building a deck, behind the chicken coop, for a processing area (that I didn't ask for). He's also trying to figure out a way to heat the water. Apparently heating it on the stove isn't good enough, or heating it on our outdoor grill. Or building a small fire in the burn barrel with a grate over it… I'm pretty sure he is just stalling now.

 

[BCMaraniac]

He's doing an excellent job building a deck, behind the chicken coop, for a processing area (that I didn't ask for). He's also trying to figure out a way to heat the water. Apparently heating it on the stove isn't good enough, or heating it on our outdoor grill. Or building a small fire in the burn barrel with a grate over it… I'm pretty sure he is just stalling now.

My DH will help get everything ready, I catch the birds, he carries them to the cone, puts them in.....then I do the deed. He scalds, helps pluck and then the rest is mine. He does most of the clean up. Basically, I get the bulk of the hands-on work.

We use our propane turkey fryer to heat the water for scalding.

 

[Coralietg]

My DH will help get everything ready, I catch the birds, he carries them to the cone, puts them in.....then I do the deed. He scalds, helps pluck and then the rest is mine. He does most of the clean up. Basically, I get the bulk of the hands-on work.

We use our propane turkey fryer to heat the water for scalding.

We have another chicken with bad feet/legs. We found a loose piece of hardware cloth that is now fixed, but we think it's caused scratches on some of their feet that has progressed to something that looks almost like bumblefoot. There are also some huge roosters that are ready to go. Only downside with that is the killing cone I wrangled up will be too small for them. It would be great to do 5 tomorrow, so I really need his help. It took me nearly two hours to do the one by myself

 

[Crickett]

I didn't use a cone, just tied the feet together and hung them up. The hardest part was the initial cut and then the beheading. For me at least. But I learned that if the water is nearly boiling, when you scald them, be sure and pull out the big feathers on the wings and tail first. The others come out really easy.

 

[BCMaraniac]

We have another chicken with bad feet/legs. We found a loose piece of hardware cloth that is now fixed, but we think it's caused scratches on some of their feet that has progressed to something that looks almost like bumblefoot. There are also some huge roosters that are ready to go. Only downside with that is the killing cone I wrangled up will be too small for them. It would be great to do 5 tomorrow, so I really need his help. It took me nearly two hours to do the one by myself

Yes, but you did it!! I think Bee uses a 2 gallon bleach jug for her cone.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I still didnt get to my roosters and skinning

I didn't get to my meaties yet.

Quote: Ditto! DH usually does the killing part here too. I'm trying to get over my hurdle too.

Preparing to process a couple of my extra roos. I've read a lot, got the knife sharp, the water is on to boil, just trying to work up my nerve. Wish me luck!

Great job!

 

[Happy Chooks]

The friend that I split my order with just sent all of her meaties off for processing. The guy charges $7 a bird!

Holy heck, that seems expensive! I've got $7 in each of them right now in feeding them.

 

[Arielle]

Just wanted to post a little update. Every time I mention to my husband about processing the chickens, he gets a "caught in the headlights" look on his face. I'm trying to squeeze out of him what he is actually comfortable with doing, and every time he changes the subject. Why do I have a funny feeling that I am going to be dispatching them all? I really didn't want to!

Quote: DH won't help with the killing. He will bring the hot water, he will pluck. I am driven to provide high quality food for my family . . . he will dispatch an injured bird though with one swift chop of the ax. Maybe I need to tell him all these birds are injured!!!