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

[ronott1]

One thing I learned last weekend...16 week olds have a LOT of pin feathers to contend with. Will plucking 7-9 week olds be a lot easier than that? We have 20 cornish cx coming...tomorrow! Haha
Meyer goofed up our ship date by over a month but it's all good. Pray for a mild August. Lol

Pin feathers are a breed thing too. The Cornish Xs will have a lot less and any age. They are easier to get out of the younger ones.

 

[Bethel3330]

Someone posted this on my FB, thought you guys would like it too

Haha! Love it! I finally got a chance to watch this

 

[Bethel3330]

Pin feathers are a breed thing too. The Cornish Xs will have a lot less and any age. They are easier to get out of the younger ones.

I thought I had heard that but wasn't sure. Thank you! That is a relief!

 

[Bethel3330]

SOmetimes it is necessary for me to process immediately due to an injury, and I can't wait for the fasting time.  I just need to a little more careful at the poop end but I figure any slight contamination is still FAR less than commercial chicken. I always cook chicken thoroughly anyways-- 

BE sure to take some pictures!!

Here is one after it came out of the oven. The legs look rather absurd but it's delicious! lol

 

[Amina]

We just did our first one today... 13 week old marans cockerel that kept attacking and making my hens miserable too. I'm glad it's over. It went fairly well and I think it was pretty quick. I am seriously doubting my ability to slaughter any chickens that aren't total psychopaths though. :/

 

[fisherlady]

We just did our first one today... 13 week old marans cockerel that kept attacking and making my hens miserable too. I'm glad it's over. It went fairly well and I think it was pretty quick. I am seriously doubting my ability to slaughter any chickens that aren't total psychopaths though.

Congrats on finishing your first! It isn't easy, but if you keep in mind that it is for the better of the flock then you will find yourself able to do what needs done... I certainly don't enjoy the process, but approach it with the mindset that it is a necessity and it either will be better for my flock's well being or for the well being of the birds who won't be raised in 'factory farm' conditions. For each we process at home it is one less we buy in the store and less profit for those who keep them in 'factory' type conditions...

Even if you never process any more except for mean ones you can be proud of knowing you are able to do what needs done!

 

[Bethel3330]

I have a friend with a farm that sells chicken they raise. I won't ship mine off to be processed, instead we've made a deal that we'll help to get it done for half price
They have the setup, scalder, plucker and experience. We'll get to learn hands on and get all 19 of ours done at once without getting completely exhausted.

 

[Arielle]

We just did our first one today... 13 week old marans cockerel that kept attacking and making my hens miserable too. I'm glad it's over. It went fairly well and I think it was pretty quick. I am seriously doubting my ability to slaughter any chickens that aren't total psychopaths though.

Congrats on your first effort.

I dont find processing easy BUT I know I am putting cleaner meat on the table.

 

[Amina]

Oh, it is definitely better for the flock. I actually thought one of my hens was either sick or thinking of going broody a few days ago, but really, she was hiding from this guy. As soon as I took him out of their pen, she started acting normal again. So it had to be done, but it is still sad.

 

[Arielle]

Glad it is working out for your girls.

Yes, it can be sad.

I just culled a baby. Earlier today one son wanted me to fix it at all costs so I doctored it; later it was getting worse, and second son informed me that it would be more humane to cull it. Raising animals is not always easy.