Question re: Meat bird products?

[nao57]

So ...sorry for bringing this up. We all really really like our birds and its hard to face some topics.

But part of why I started to love poultry also was the idea of using it to protect the family with self sufficiency. Its still very hard for me to even think about meat harvesting the birds.

How do other people get over this bad feeling? Its hard to put them under the knife. But I have to. Not just for self sufficiency, I have too many drakes.

Question #2; is there a cheaper equivalent to parrafin wax (for duck processing) that's cheaper? (This isn't cheap at all. And bees wax is worse!)

Question #3; Can those Chicken shrink wrap bags be reused? (And is that even adviseable to try?)


Thanks.

 

[hysop]

My husband is the one that does the “off with his head”. I do the defeathering and gutting. Once they’re dead I don’t feel anything for the bird, I do feel bad when I know it’s being beheaded though.

I did cry and think about one rooster for the longest but that’s because I didn’t want to process him, but he was a meanie. All others I’ve known they were food and mentally prepared myself since day one even if they were nice.

I would not reuse anything that can’t be properly washed with soap and water if it has touched raw chicken or raw meat. I would think shrink wrap bags can’t, but if you’re able to wash them properly and dry them fully I don’t see why not. I’ve personally never used them so no help there.

I have no idea on the duck question. I don’t have ducks

 

[Molpet]

The first time processing is the hardest. It does get easier

I have tried to reuse the vacumm seal bags. They usually don't reseal very well.
They say wax can be reused, but I don't do Ducks

 

[nao57]

My husband is the one that does the “off with his head”. I do the defeathering and gutting. Once they’re dead I don’t feel anything for the bird, I do feel bad when I know it’s being beheaded though.

I did cry and think about one rooster for the longest but that’s because I didn’t want to process him, but he was a meanie. All others I’ve known they were food and mentally prepared myself since day one even if they were nice.

I would not reuse anything that can’t be properly washed with soap and water if it has touched raw chicken or raw meat. I would think shrink wrap bags can’t, but if you’re able to wash them properly and dry them fully I don’t see why not. I’ve personally never used them so no help there.

I have no idea on the duck question. I don’t have ducks

Wow. Your point about not using what can't be washed and cleaned right, is very good. Thanks.

 

[3KillerBs]

For the killing itself I calmed them down first then made sure that it was very quick. With the broomstick over the neck method they can be dead before they know that they're in danger.

It does take some getting used to and there are some unpleasant details such as the spasmodic flapping after the spinal cord is severed. But I give chickens food names as a reminder that they are livestock, not pets and no matter how much I enjoy them their ultimate destination is the dinner table.

Annoying cockerels are the easiest.

Once you have them undressed they look like any other chicken ready to either cook whole or cut up.

 

[nicalandia]

I like big fat chickens, but I don't kill or eat my own birds.

 

[Parront]

So ...sorry for bringing this up. We all really really like our birds and its hard to face some topics.

But part of why I started to love poultry also was the idea of using it to protect the family with self sufficiency. Its still very hard for me to even think about meat harvesting the birds.

How do other people get over this bad feeling? Its hard to put them under the knife. But I have to. Not just for self sufficiency, I have too many drakes.

Question #2; is there a cheaper equivalent to parrafin wax (for duck processing) that's cheaper? (This isn't cheap at all. And bees wax is worse!)

Question #3; Can those Chicken shrink wrap bags be reused? (And is that even adviseable to try?)


Thanks.

1. Bad feeling. I know that the males are food from the start. I would like to sell them to good homes, but even with beautiful, rare birds this might not be possible. When you buy meat birds, it is really not good to get attached because most will not live long without a huge amount of extra care.
2. Never used wax. Spend time, do it at the right time so that there are no pinfeathers. If you feel pinfeathers, just skin it, or wait until the feathers grow out!
3. Not re-using any plastic chicken bag.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How do other people get over this bad feeling?

Some people cannot. We are all different with different experiences, wants, and desires. It is an individual thing. To thine own self be true. (Shakespeare) Do what is right for you, not what is right for someone else.

The hard part is usually the killing. Most people are OK once the bird is dead but not everyone. I never enjoy the killing part, that is a pretty definite step. But one main reason I raise chickens is for the meat. If I were not going to to eat them I wouldn't have them to start with. That's my goals, not yours.

I look at it as they have a great life and then one bad moment. I try to make that one moment as quick and sure as I can. There are several different ways to kill them, I don't know which is best for you. My general suggestion is however you can. You don't want to flinch or close your eyes at the wrong time, that can lead to injury for the bird or you. That's what I mean by "how you can".

There are many different possible ways. I use the hatchet and stump method, broomstick was mentioned, the cone is probably the most common on this forum. I don't know if them being ducks instead of chickens might influence that.

If you can find a mentor near you to help you the first time you might really benefit. Or go help them before you try your own. You might be able to find someone that you can pay to butcher them for you, either with money or part of the meat. You can sell or give them away to someone else. What they do with them becomes their business, they are off you hands.

Question #2;

I do not do ducks.

Question #3; Can those Chicken shrink wrap bags be reused? (And is that even adviseable to try?)

I also would to reuse anything that had formerly held raw meat that cannot be properly sanitized.

 

[mechanic57]

All great advice here for dealing with the mental part of butchering your chickens. It's ok to have emotions about it. If you had no emotions about it, you'd probably be a borderline sociopath.

With my meat birds, I do what other said, I usually refer to them as chicken nuggets or some other food names from the beginning. I know I'm raising them for food. I don't enjoy killing them, but I know it has to be done. It would be real difficult eating them alive. I feel like God has blessed me with the opportunity to raise my own food to feed my family so I do it quick and with as little stress as possible to the chickens and I try to use as much as I can from the bird. I save the necks and use them as bait in crab traps. My friend and I go on his boat down to the Chesapeake and catch Maryland Blue Crabs. The hearts, livers and gizzards are edible and if you don't have anyone who wants to eat those parts, dogs will eat them. The feet can go in the dehydrator and are a great dog treat.

I don't do ducks. As for the shrink bags, I don't think they will shrink up a second time, and I would not reuse them for sanitation reasons.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

So ...sorry for bringing this up. We all really really like our birds and its hard to face some topics.

But part of why I started to love poultry also was the idea of using it to protect the family with self sufficiency. Its still very hard for me to even think about meat harvesting the birds.

How do other people get over this bad feeling? Its hard to put them under the knife. But I have to. Not just for self sufficiency, I have too many drakes.

Question #2; is there a cheaper equivalent to parrafin wax (for duck processing) that's cheaper? (This isn't cheap at all. And bees wax is worse!)

Question #3; Can those Chicken shrink wrap bags be reused? (And is that even adviseable to try?)


Thanks.

you could always post them on craigslist, or message me and i can help you find them homes!