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

[LindaB220]

Thanks if I ever skin again I'll try and scald. But the next ones will be my awesome NN and I will pluck them.

Kassaundra, quick question. Are you saying that it's a LOT easier to pluck the NN's? I've heard that CX's are also easier.

 

[Double Kindness]

We're going to need this group sooner or later. I have 26 chicks outside in a coop/run that I bought 9 days ago at a feed store specifically for meat.

We have 3 local friends that have experience with processing chickens and they offered to help.

I got 5 more chicks on Sunday that might be black/gray meat chickens (ayam cemani x orpington) which I might move any pullets to my laying flock.

Next step caponizing? Idk.

 

[Kassaundra]

Kassaundra, quick question. Are you saying that it's a LOT easier to pluck the NN's? I've heard that CX's are also easier.

Oh yes!!!!! I can hand pluck a NN in 5 minutes or less, so very easy!!!!!!! they have more then 1/2 less feathers then the other breeds, and no hair to singe. They have huge areas other then the neck that are featherless.

I have never done a cx, can't speak to that.

 

[Kassaundra]

We're going to need this group sooner or later. I have 26 chicks outside in a coop/run that I bought 9 days ago at a feed store specifically for meat.

We have 3 local friends that have experience with processing chickens and they offered to help.

I got 5 more chicks on Sunday that might be black/gray meat chickens (ayam cemani x orpington) which I might move any pullets to my laying flock.

Next step caponizing? Idk.

There is a pretty active caponizing thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675898/graphic-pics-of-my-day-learning-to-caponize


There are a couple other threads, but not as active. The first set of pics is the original method we were using the second set is near page 100 or so and it is the Chinese method which most of us are using now.

 

[Double Kindness]

Which method have you found easier to do? With least% mortality rate?

 

[Kassaundra]

Which method have you found easier to do? With least% mortality rate?

I have had very low mortality rate w/ either method, but MUCH prefer the Chinese method and tools.

 

[Double Kindness]

That's very helpful, as I don’t want to futz with learning even more stuff!

Did I read right, right age to caponize is 8 weeks old? I can't tell which chickens, are cockrels or pullets atm.

 

[LindaB220]

Oh yes!!!!! I can hand pluck a NN in 5 minutes or less, so very easy!!!!!!! they have more then 1/2 less feathers then the other breeds, and no hair to singe. They have huge areas other then the neck that are featherless.

I have never done a cx, can't speak to that.

Do you still use a pot of water?

 

[Kassaundra]

That's very helpful, as I don’t want to futz with learning even more stuff!

Did I read right, right age to caponize is 8 weeks old? I can't tell which chickens, are cockrels or pullets atm.

Yes, right about 1 lbs, can be done as early as 4 weeks but I find the 8-9 weekers a little easier, more room and the testes are still on the small side.

 

[Kassaundra]

Do you still use a pot of water?

Yes b/c then most of the feathers just wipe off, and the tail / wings don't take brute force