I have yet to spend the money on those cages too, I have three of them that I really don't even use often. I made my own that will fit 15 broilers on a hot day and 20 on a cool day. I believe I have 14 of them. They are heavy as heck but they get the job done. I paid I think $120 to build all of them, which worked out to be the price of my two plastic cages that hold only 10 birds. Problem with them... I'm constantly repairing them, but it's totally worth it. I need to save up for the investment, as plastic cages are a couple thousand dollars for the amount that I would need. The second biggest problem is handling them. Without two people it's almost impossible to move them. If I'm loading by myself, this time of year I usually am, I keep the cages in the truck. I back up to the tractors load them up and then leave them in the truck overnight and then back right up to the processing shed.
As far as paying someone, that takes time. This year was my first year (8th year doing broilers for sale) that I was able to pay someone all summer to help on a weekly basis. We processed twice a week all summer long and it wasn't easy. Before then, it was all family and friends that I would pay in chickens or trade labor. Until you get to that economy of scale, it's best to just suck it up and work with what you have which it sounds like what you're doing. She will get it, however with roosters it's a bit different than the CX's so keep that in mind. I know that it always slows me up when we do a batch of roosters.
I also run the scalder too, people that are working with you want to do it, but they don't realize that the scald is the most crucial part. If that gets screwed up, you're spending hours fixing the mistake when doing your QC. I did let my help do it a few times this year that way he can do it, and learn. He was slower, but you have to let them learn eventually because you will get tired of doing the same thing over and over and over again. It's nice to sometimes get out of the processing shed and kill..... get some fresh air. I think in the long run when you decide if you want to start hiring employees that it's important to cross train them on just about everything you do.
For catching.... what I used to do prior to cages. I would actually bring up a tractor and work right out of the tractor. I would use it like a big giant cage. I would take the tops of the pens, at this point they are not going to fly so you would just go in and catch one without chasing them all over. Do this the night before and you will be surprised at how much time it saves you. Also, bed it down really well with straw, the birds will be spotless on the really dry straw and makes processing a breeze. No manure in the intestines and clean feathers makes it a treat compared to a rainy day with muddy birds.
Sounds like you've tweaked your system a bit since the last processing of the CX's... It's good to always find new ways to get things done. I'm still always refining something around here to make my life easier. The biggest pain is being frugal to save money but still make it functional and last until you have the money to buy the right table, the right cages, ect.
Good luck.... sounds like your having fun.
