Processing my first roo tomorrow...

[JulieNKC]

My roo made the bad decision to go after my 18 month old daughter last week. I had hoped to keep him for a pet, but told everyone that if he ever looked at my kids funny that was the end of him, so now I have to keep my word.

He left a big ole v on her back, he's got to go.

I had them out for a lil bit. I was back there watching them, I only have 4BO hens, 3 silkies, 1 mutt, and him. My DF and his friend were out there helping keep an eye on them because he's been giving everyone but me evil looks and kind of side stepping up to them. I was holding my 7week old baby about 20 feet away, saw him look at her, started walking over, he went after her and knocked her down twice before I got there and booted him across the yard. Sorry, just have to remind myself why he's got to go. I had planned on getting half a dozen cornish to butcher later this summer, guess at least now I'll see if I have the guts to do it. Anyhow, I really think the easiest way for me to do it would be to break his neck. Is he still edible so long as I let him bleed out after the deed is done? I have really bad aim with a hatchet, and don't know if I can bring myself to slit his throat. My DF says he will do the deed, but this is my pet. I got him as a chick (although he was supposed to be a pullet), I raised him, I take care of him, he respects me. I feel like I should be the one to do it, out of respect for him, kwim? Any helpful hints, or even encouraging words, lol? Kind of nervous, but I'm a mommy to my kids first, chickens second, and he crossed the line making my lil girl cry.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

You can do it. Go out now and catch him off the roost and put him in a kennel (if you have not already). This way in the morning, very little fuss or drama, scooping him up out of the kennel into your arms.

I raise all my cockerels like they are going to live old enough to become roosters, have a harem and die of old happy age; so all are very friendly with me and calm when I pick them up. I hold the bird, thank him for hatching, thank him for the joy he brought me, thank him for feeding me, and if he has been a butt - I thank him for that and making my choice to eat him easier (I know a lot of thanking) place the head in a noose restraint, pull bird's body so neck is taught, and my DH asks me if I am done with my thanking speech and then chops.


If you friend will help, have him come over. You hold the bird, your friend chops the head off. Then let the roo hang upside down to bleed out.


We scald and pluck - using a turkey fryer, heat water to 155, dip bird into water and swish around. I usually count to about 20 or so, then try pulling a wing feather - if it slides out, the bird is done and ready to pluck; if it does not slide out - back into the water for a few more seconds or counts.


When ready into a bucket of cold water to cool down the skin and stop cooking. Then basically wipe the feathers from the body of the bird.


Then off with the feet, and into the sink for gutting/clean up.

 

[Melinda35]

We just processed 15 hens and a roo on Saturday so this is fresh on my mind. My DH has only ever cut their heads off. I don't do that part but I do everything else. He takes the roo and hangs it upside down by his feet with wire on a tree limb. He will put his hand over the chickens head and then cut the neck. It will bleed out upside pretty quickly. We dip it in hot water and then pluck all the feathers off. I have found the easiest way to clean the inside is put the roo on his back with legs pointing up. I make a slit just under the very top of the breast bone and go down on each side like in an upside down v shape. I then reach in and pull out the insides. You will need to cut the crop inside the bird. I guess that is part of the crop. You will see it because it will be holding you back from pulling everything out. I get everything out and then cut his butt part off. I have found the easiest way to do that is is by cutting a u shape around it. There are bones on each side to guide you. This way you are not cutting anything that will make a mess. You will need to remove the crop. I do this by cutting off the breast, like separating the white meat from the dark meat, and then trimming off the crop. I don't know how else to cut off the crop as this is the only way I have done it.

I have not processed too many chickens yet but I can tell you as the processing went on Saturday I got a lot faster. Hopefully you have him away from food until you get ready. Mine did not have any food in their feeder but they somehow still had a full crop.

I hope that I helped and did not make it confusing. I don't blame you for not wanting to keep him. My roo was attacking us as well as that is why he will be dinner tomorrow night. You can do this. It is really not that difficult and will take you probably 30 minutes or less. Make a list of what you need: One large knife, one small knife, wire, hot water, freezer paper to protect your work surface, something to put the finished bird in, trash bag for feathers and insides (unless you have better use for them).

Good luck! You can do it!!

 

[JulieNKC]

I did it. Everyone said they would kill him for me, but when it came down to it I had to do it. They are my pets, my responsibility so I did it. My mom grew up on a farm in Iowa and cleaned him for me once I did the deed. Wasn't as bad as I thought. Once it gets warmer I am going to get me some cornish x.

 

[constance]

Well done. I am working up to it, no roos yet, but they are on their way. How did you go about the initial kill? I have put small birds out of their misery with a neck pop, and was thinking this might work with the chickens, too, followed by the bleeding, etc. What did you do?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

 

[JulieNKC]

Quote:
I tried to break his neck. Figured it would be easier for me. I don't think I am strong enough, I didn't kill him, just stunned him. So I hung him up real quick and cut his neck, just wanted it done quick as possible after I messed up. Still happened really fast, but skipping trying to break the neck next time.

 

[booker81]

Great job!!!

I have two roos. I initially had 5.

As they got older, they *thought* they could challenge my then 2 y/o daughter. Oh heck no!!! They were resting in the fridge the next day.

I still watch the two I have like a hawk. They're almost a year old now, and pretty settled in their ways, but if they ever get it in their head to go after her, or even think about it, I won't hesitate for a second to take them out. I keep them because they share their 12 hens nicely, are good boys, and the neighbors like to hear them crow. However, threatening my daughter is an instant death penalty.

I choose to cut the throat. Chicken necks are a lot harder to break than they seem.

 

[constance]

Quote:
I tried to break his neck. Figured it would be easier for me. I don't think I am strong enough, I didn't kill him, just stunned him. So I hung him up real quick and cut his neck, just wanted it done quick as possible after I messed up. Still happened really fast, but skipping trying to break the neck next time.

Oh, that sounds like it was rough. Thanks for passing your experience along. Ok, maybe I'll start preparing myself for a swift cut. If I get that far and don't just give away the roos (which have not hatched yet, but I'm mentally trying to get comfortable with the idea).

Thanks to everyone else for their information, too.