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

[Sally Sunshine]

Hello! Just wanted to say a big Thank You to Sally and the many byc'ers who have taken the time to share methods and experiences here. I read a lot, watched video tutorials to prepare myself and learn before taking the steps to processing here on our own.

Yesterday, my husband and I processed our first roosters! We had an experienced helper to walk us through it but we did everything ourselves. I'm happy to say everything went well and we feel good about handling this on our own going forward! I was also glad my 13 year old son wanted to participate and learn!

We are hatching quite a bit and so of course we have birds we cannot keep and although we try to find homes but that wasn't possible with these 2 males. Our silver laced Wyandotte who was nearly a year suddenly decided he hated us and flogged my husband and I. So he was not a candidate for rehoming. His son was the other one we processed yesterday.
What we did:
My husband used a sharp hatchet and he dispatched the birds quickly and without suffering.
I scalded and plucked (apparently I am a "natural" at this and looked like I did it 100 times so this is my job forever lol.)
The older rooster I removed the legs, tail and cut around the vent, my husband removed most of the innards- I got the lungs and those were tricky but I was able to remove them.
The younger bird was 14-15 weeks old so he was pretty scrawny after I plucked. We opted to filet him. I did a leg/thigh, my husband did the other one and my husband removed the breast meat.

My family is really tender hearted about animals and we werent looking forward to this process day. But we took care of things in a very calm, organized and matter of fact way. If we can do it, anybody can! We actually think we may try get meat birds later this year

great job!!!!

 

[nposluszny]

Hiya, I'd like to follow this thread as I am new to chickens and totally plan on eating them when the time is right/too many roosters/jerk chickens. I figure that if I follow this and read more, I might not be as squeamish - too squeamish for my own good, really - and I don't know anyone out my way that processes. I pick up my chicks as soon as tomorrow and I just know that I'm going to have to do it sooner or later so I might as well learn about it.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Hiya, I'd like to follow this thread as I am new to chickens and totally plan on eating them when the time is right/too many roosters/jerk chickens. I figure that if I follow this and read more, I might not be as squeamish - too squeamish for my own good, really - and I don't know anyone out my way that processes. I pick up my chicks as soon as tomorrow and I just know that I'm going to have to do it sooner or later so I might as well learn about it.

Welcome!! I dont think its squeemish, just remember you dont have to go at killing anything like you enjoy it! you will get through, great people here and helped so much overcome that crud and bring us back to reality!! again, welcome!

 

[kimntep]

I'm not squeamish, it's a heart thing. I REALLY want to A) spend less for healthy protein, B) teach myself and family to be more self-sustaining, and C) stop giving money to the hellish chicken processing plants. I cannot separate myself from the fact that it feels totally selfish and hypocritical to treat them with respect, feed them well, keep them safe from predators, and give them a good life, just to butcher them for food. I've been raising chickens for six years, and even though I don't sit and watch them lay their eggs and tell them how precious they are anymore, I just can't get past it.

 

[ronott1]

I'm not squeamish, it's a heart thing. I REALLY want to A) spend less for healthy protein, B) teach myself and family to be more self-sustaining, and C) stop giving money to the hellish chicken processing plants. I cannot separate myself from the fact that it feels totally selfish and hypocritical to treat them with respect, feed them well, keep them safe from predators, and give them a good life, just to butcher them for food. I've been raising chickens for six years, and even though I don't sit and watch them lay their eggs and tell them how precious they are anymore, I just can't get past it.

Do not beat yourself up over it. We as a Society have become very much detached from our food. Most do not know what happens to the Animals that become packages of food in the meat counter.

One thing though, is to not let them suffer at the end. Most people take their dogs and cats in for euthanization at the end. Chickens deserve that too.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Do not beat yourself up over it. We as a Society have become very much detached from our food. Most do not know what happens to the Animals that become packages of food in the meat counter.

One thing though, is to not let them suffer at the end. Most people take their dogs and cats in for euthanization at the end. Chickens deserve that too.

I agree, do not let them suffer, but euthanizing them chemically isn't practical for those who keep many meat chickens. A sharp axe of killing cone is much more efficient. To each his own though.

Regards,
Leaf

 

[ronott1]

I agree, do not let them suffer, but euthanizing them chemically isn't practical for those who keep many meat chickens. A sharp axe of killing cone is much more efficient. To each his own though.

Regards,
Leaf

When I posted about that, I wondered if I was being obtuse. I did mean to use an axe or other home method.

I have too many chickens to have a vet take care of that. I too process for meat. I will be processing three this weekend.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

When I posted about that, I wondered if I was being obtuse. I did mean to use an axe or other home method.

I have too many chickens to have a vet take care of that. I too process for meat. I will be processing three this weekend.

Oh, sorry, I was also wondering the same thing, but you can never be sure! I was imagining someone taking thirty or forty meat chickens to the vet to have them euthanized...

Regards,
Leaf

 

[fisherlady]

Oh, sorry, I was also wondering the same thing, but you can never be sure! I was imagining someone taking thirty or forty meat chickens to the vet to have them euthanized...

Regards,
Leaf

My checkbook would be screaming if I had to do that! Lol, already processed 30 meat birds this year and 25 roosters and we have 50 more meaties growing in the shed right now!

 

[LeafBlade12345]

My checkbook would be screaming if I had to do that! Lol, already processed 30 meat birds this year and 25 roosters and we have 50 more meaties growing in the shed right now!

I could imagine it now! The vets could open a euthanization butcher shop where each chicken was separately euthanized....

Regards,
Leaf