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

[Coralietg]

So a 6 # bird would finish out at a bout 4 1/2 then....right?

The blade being too dull is one of my big fears. Is there a way to test the sharpness before hand to see if it is sharp enough to get the job done properly? Would a box cutter be more reliably sharp?

I only had one chicken I got a before and after weight on. He was a smaller 5.5lb male, and he processed to 3.7lbs. My recent biggest male was approx. 9lbs, and processed at 6.8lbs. I think there will always be small variations bird to bird.

 

[katbriar]

I don't like box cutters because the cutting blade is so short and it can't be sharpened.

I have one of those hand held sharpeners that has a v shaped notch you draw the blade through. One side is for getting it pretty good ("coarse") the other for really putting the edge on it ("fine"). Once sharpened I just maintain it with a few draws through the fine side.

Some folks say it's sharp enough when it can cut paper. Others test by shaving the hair on their arm. You'll also develop a sense.

 

[Audio51]

Quote: I will get weights on mine tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the boys are plenty big...the girls might need a little more time. I'm sure there will be plenty of meat on them for the 2 of us here, but want to get them as big as reasonable

I don't like box cutters because the cutting blade is so short and it can't be sharpened.

I have one of those hand held sharpeners that has a v shaped notch you draw the blade through. One side is for getting it pretty good ("coarse") the other for really putting the edge on it ("fine"). Once sharpened I just maintain it with a few draws through the fine side.

Some folks say it's sharp enough when it can cut paper. Others test by shaving the hair on their arm. You'll also develop a sense.

I will try the paper test then. I have a sharpener, but haven't really done anything that need really sharp knives before..

 

[Bethel3330]

Or, you could just check check pawnshops and other places for used corded drills.  

that is a really good idea, one I hadn't thought of. Thanks!!

 

[Audio51]

Quote: I will get weights on mine tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the boys are plenty big...the girls might need a little more time. I'm sure there will be plenty of meat on them for the 2 of us here, but want to get them as big as reasonable

I don't like box cutters because the cutting blade is so short and it can't be sharpened.

I have one of those hand held sharpeners that has a v shaped notch you draw the blade through. One side is for getting it pretty good ("coarse") the other for really putting the edge on it ("fine"). Once sharpened I just maintain it with a few draws through the fine side.

Some folks say it's sharp enough when it can cut paper. Others test by shaving the hair on their arm. You'll also develop a sense.

I will try the paper test then. I have a sharpener, but haven't really done anything that need really sharp knives before..

So I weighed the birds this morning. Boys are about 4.5 lbs ans the girls are about 4 lbs. I have been letting them free-range since the weather warmed up so I think they may not have been taking in as much feed in the last couple of weeks. They have also been sharing quarters at night with the laying flock. They also had chicken colds a few weeks back and I don;t know if that would have affected weight gain. It took them about 10 days to get over it, but each of the 4 started a day or 2 after the others so I had about 2 weeks of rattly chickens. I think I will put them back in the grow out pen and make sure they have constant access to feed for the next week. They will get a little reprive (and so will I...)

 

[Coralietg]

So I weighed the birds this morning. Boys are about 4.5 lbs ans the girls are about 4 lbs. I have been letting them free-range since the weather warmed up so I think they may not have been taking in as much feed in the last couple of weeks. They have also been sharing quarters at night with the laying flock. They also had chicken colds a few weeks back and I don;t know if that would have affected weight gain. It took them about 10 days to get over it, but each of the 4 started a day or 2 after the others so I had about 2 weeks of rattly chickens. I think I will put them back in the grow out pen and make sure they have constant access to feed for the next week. They will get a little reprive (and so will I...)

How many weeks old are they? In the later weeks, they should gain about a pound a week. Mine did even while I was restricting feed. 6lb live weight is about 4lbs processed, though the one I processed at 5.5lbs (3.7lbs processed weight) was still a decent sized chicken, fed 2 adults and 2 kids one big meal, plus two other meals.

 

[Happy Chooks]

So I weighed the birds this morning. Boys are about 4.5 lbs ans the girls are about 4 lbs. I have been letting them free-range since the weather warmed up so I think they may not have been taking in as much feed in the last couple of weeks. They have also been sharing quarters at night with the laying flock. They also had chicken colds a few weeks back and I don;t know if that would have affected weight gain. It took them about 10 days to get over it, but each of the 4 started a day or 2 after the others so I had about 2 weeks of rattly chickens. I think I will put them back in the grow out pen and make sure they have constant access to feed for the next week. They will get a little reprive (and so will I...)

They will not look as big as they are. Mine didn't look all that big and I was quite surprised by their size plucked.

How old are your birds?

 

[Audio51]

Quote:

Quote:
I bought them on 3/17 and they were about a week old then (the tips of the wings were just feathering out). That would make them about 8 weeks today.

 

[chicken junky]

Does anyone know where I can get some good meaties? My two cx are at the waddle/run stage and almost ready to become dinner. Thanks

 

[Bethel3330]

The hatcheries are still selling them. You can try going in with someone for a later batch like I did. It'll bring your cost down quite a bit.