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

[fisherlady]

We're finally down to our last few cockerels to butcher. We've done around 22 over the past month or so. We have 6 set aside to do today and that only leaves 6 left to do next week sometime. It's so hard to get motivated though, never a fun job. The flock is going to be so calm and relaxed after all this is over though.

You are right on both counts, never easy and the flock is calmer after...good job!
Now I need to get my but in gear and take care of about 15 at our place! LOL

 

[HeritageHenNut]

Good luck. It sounds like your friend is experienced so that should really help and give you confidence.

Yeah, everything went off without a hitch. We did my 4 turkeys, her 10 roosters, 1 turkey & 6 drakes. So it was a real learning curve for me but I got through it. Will definitely be doing it again, really pleased with how my birds turned out.

 

[BullChick]

 

[HeritageHenNut]

My birds, all processed & ready to go. The smallest was just under 16 lbs dressed, the others all over 20lbs. I do think next year I'll be raising heritage turkeys, the whites grew so quickly there were some leg/foot deformities and I really want to be able to breed/raise my own birds. But this was a great trial run.

 

[BullChick]

My male BBW was 45# live. 37 dressed. I got lucky. No issues. The female was twenty pounds.

 

[fisherlady]

My birds, all processed & ready to go. The smallest was just under 16 lbs dressed, the others all over 20lbs. I do think next year I'll be raising heritage turkeys, the whites grew so quickly there were some leg/foot deformities and I really want to be able to breed/raise my own birds. But this was a great trial run.

Looks great! Congrats on the completed project.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

processed cornish bantams today with the kiddos. Skinned them this time. I must say I cant take skinning with my wrists even after surgery. They are aching tonight

We were attacked by a ton of yellow jackets liking all that blood, had no clue blood attracted them, I am glad they only showed up at the end !!

very close up zoom.....

 

[fisherlady]

processed cornish bantams today with the kiddos. Skinned them this time. I must say I cant take skinning with my wrists even after surgery. They are aching tonight We were attacked by a ton of yellow jackets liking all that blood, had no clue blood attracted them, I am glad they only showed up at the end !! very close up zoom.....

Looks like you had a couple of good helpers! How were they for meat quantity? I have always thought they looked really meaty despite being short. And do the hens get broody or haven't you kept any adult hens?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: havent kept any long enough, dad kept all the females they just started to lay. these were from ideal I would get them somewhere else.

 

[fisherlady]

havent kept any long enough, dad kept all the females they just started to lay.  these were from ideal I would get them somewhere else.

Ok, thanks...the breeder I got Silver Pencil Rocks from has them....DH was infactuated with them when the breeder was showing us around his place. We usually have so many extra cockerels from our broody hatches that I just never investigated further into them.