Processing one chicken- is it worth it . . . in winter?

[theminimizer]

I managed to get a cockerel with my last batch of chicks. I've tried to give it away, but no one wants it on Facebook, craigslist, or ANY where else.
I've never processed on my own and it's still below freezing here, but within the next month, I need back the space that my 8 week old cockerel is using.

So this may sound terrible, but I honestly don't know-- Is it worth it to process a cock that's only 2-3 months in winter? Or would you just kill and give back to Mother Nature?

 

[Xouie]

I process no matter what time of year, no matter if it’s one bird. It won’t be fun in winter — granted — but then it’s never a cake walk, eh? There also won’t be a lot of meat, but I bet he’d make a nice soup. The reward of fresh chicken is so worthwhile. And for me (not you necessarily — no judgment here ) I can’t bring myself to dispatch a healthy bird without making the most of it.

 

[jus10inla]

Id fatten it up some then dispatch.. i can’t imagine a 8 wk old taking up that much space that it just has to go,, its barely 2 lbs probably

 

[NatJ]

i can’t imagine a 8 wk old taking up that much space that it just has to go,, its barely 2 lbs probably

I'm guessing it's a matter of which birds are in which pens, and which ones can or cannot live with each other. 8 weeks can be an awkward age: hard to add just one that age to an adult flock, but it's old enough that you shouldn't put a bunch of newly-hatched chicks in with it either.

I've never processed on my own and it's still below freezing here, but within the next month, I need back the space that my 8 week old cockerel is using.

So this may sound terrible, but I honestly don't know-- Is it worth it to process a cock that's only 2-3 months in winter? Or would you just kill and give back to Mother Nature?

If you want to learn to process chickens, then this could be a good place to start

I would think it's probably "worth it" for the experience, so you are more comfortable processing chickens in future.

For just one chicken, I tend to skin it instead of pluck (no heating water for scalding, less feathers everywhere). And I often cut it in pieces as I go instead of trying to make the whole carcase look pretty. (Makes it easier to get the guts out: just cut it wide open.) Then I make a nice pot of soup, or something similar. Of course I consider what recipe I intend to use, in case that requires different processing.

If you do not want to process a bird in cold weather, that is also a reasonable choice. I know what is "right" for me, but you are not me

 

[theminimizer]

Id fatten it up some then dispatch.. i can’t imagine a 8 wk old taking up that much space that it just has to go,, its barely 2 lbs probably

Yeah, he's small still! The problem is he is making enough noise that the neighbor is noticing where I have him.

 

[NatJ]

Yeah, he's small still! The problem is he is making enough noice that the neighbor is noticing.

Some people eat quail.

I've eaten bantam cockerels that learned to crow at an inconveniently young age.

The leg/thigh looked like a wing, the breast looked like it had a pair of chicken nuggets, and I decided the actual wings were too small to fuss with

At some point I decided it was better to just eat cockerels that are small than to wait for them to grow longer, if I was short of space or if they were too noisy.

 

[B-Goock]

For just one it won't take long at all. Really the only thing that takes any time is plucking but you could skin him. Watch a couple YouTube videos.
For that all you need is a lil work platform. Saw horses & a board. Tailgate to a truck. Anything so your not bending over.
A nice deboning or fillet knife.
A bucket or bag for the yuk bits. (My bucket got named the bucket of horrors)
A clean container for the good bits.

Since he's small it may be hard to get all the guts out without tearing or squishing stuff. If so spatchcock him. Use some shears down each side of his backbone. Thats what I do with quail too.

 

[ladybrasa]

I did one that was three months. Small but made a nice little “Cornish hen” type meal. Was super easy when spatchcocked! As far as winter - haven’t processed in summer, but have decided I’d rather avoid it. Might not matter much if it’s just one, but I kind of liked the idea of the temp being at least refrigerator temp for the meat and no bugs!!! Just pick a day when the sun is out and no wind, if possible. Oh, and invest in nice lined dishwashing gloves, cuz that hose water will be cold! Well, if it’s one little one you could probably rinse inside, though.

 

[theminimizer]

These were really excellent and thoughtful responses! Thank you so much for taking the time to write them, so I could work out my issue. Best chicken raiser support system!

 

[aart]

Or would you just kill and give back to Mother Nature?

Have done this, CD and toss into the woods, gone within hours.....so, yes, it's an option.