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

[Happy Chooks]

I'm cooking my first bird tomorrow. Making chicken noodle soup. I'm so excited to see how it turns out! I think I'm ready now since we butchered him a few weeks ago. I'm hoping anyway lol

Perfect soup weather here. I'm sure it will be delicious!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

The soup turned out WONDERFUL! Homemade egg noodles and bone broth made it even better devouring it as we speak lol

 

[ronott1]

The soup turned out WONDERFUL! Homemade egg noodles and bone broth made it even better

devouring it as we speak lol

Soup from a home grown bird is the best!

 

[chicken pickin]

The soup turned out WONDERFUL! Homemade egg noodles and bone broth made it even better

devouring it as we speak lol

Sounds delicious!

 

[Kassaundra]

I processed 6 rabbits today, after almost 2 weeks of being sick, I wasn't as strong as I thought, totally winded me a few times. After the 6th was finished I fell into bed and stayed there for a few hours. Not used to being so weak.

 

[ronott1]

I processed 6 rabbits today, after almost 2 weeks of being sick, I wasn't as strong as I thought, totally winded me a few times. After the 6th was finished I fell into bed and stayed there for a few hours. Not used to being so weak.

I hope you feel better soon!

Good job with the rabbit processing.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks, feeling better, but still really weak from the respiratory bug. The buns really needed to be done, I was several weeks late on them, and didn't get everyone done that needed, but made a dent anyway.

 

[Amina]

I was here a little bit ago, saying that my chickens squawk when I cut their necks. Well, I got my knife professionally sharpened and I just processed one cockerel. This one squawked too. I also took jajeanpierre's advice about waiting with them hanging there, til they don't react when you touch them, and then do the cut. I guess that didn't help either. I'm frustrated and sad. I don't want them to be in unnecessary pain, you know? But I don't know what to do differently. Any thoughts, anyone? I still have three more to do.

 

[ronott1]

I was here a little bit ago, saying that my chickens squawk when I cut their necks. Well, I got my knife professionally sharpened and I just processed one cockerel. This one squawked too. I also took jajeanpierre's advice about waiting with them hanging there, til they don't react when you touch them, and then do the cut. I guess that didn't help either. I'm frustrated and sad. I don't want them to be in unnecessary pain, you know? But I don't know what to do differently. Any thoughts, anyone? I still have three more to do.

Are you using a cone?

If so, and if the knife is very sharp, you could decapitate the chicken. Death is instant then--Spinal cord is severed so no pain.

Another way would be to use very sharp pruning shears.

 

[Amina]

I don't have a cone, but I'm tying their feet so they're hanging upside down from a tree, so it's pretty much the same thing, but with more flapping as they die.

I'm not sure I could decapitate them in one cut, so I'm kinda scared to give that a go. :/