some things CANNOT be taught via you tube!!! 1st time processing!

[bluere11e]

Quote:
Wow
That's a handy idea.. Reminds me of the Red Green show.. except yours probably works..lol
Just remember, "If women don't find you handsome, at least they should find you handy!"

 

[helloroe]

Quote:
Wow
That's a handy idea.. Reminds me of the Red Green show.. except yours probably works..lol
Just remember, "If women don't find you handsome, at least they should find you handy!"

It has processed over 100 birds so far so it does work.

 

[JerseyHen]

Quote:
Wow
That's a handy idea.. Reminds me of the Red Green show.. except yours probably works..lol
Just remember, "If women don't find you handsome, at least they should find you handy!"

It has processed over 100 birds so far so it does work.

Might I bother you with one more question? What do you make "plucking fingers" from? Sorry, total newbie.

 

[helloroe]

Quote:
It has processed over 100 birds so far so it does work.

Might I bother you with one more question? What do you make "plucking fingers" from? Sorry, total newbie.

Plucking fingers are purchased not made. I cannot remember exactly where I bought them but they are reasonable. Just do a search plucking fingers

 

[JerseyHen]

Quote:
Might I bother you with one more question? What do you make "plucking fingers" from? Sorry, total newbie.

Plucking fingers are purchased not made. I cannot remember exactly where I bought them but they are reasonable. Just do a search plucking fingers

Thanks, I thought so, but then again, it seems chicken folks are wonderfully adept at re-purposing items. That is one handy bit of equipment.

 

[nelgkel]

Helloroe, what a great setup!! THanks for sharing. Where did you find detailed instructions that you could print? Even though we watched many you tube videos it is still very different in person!
Sunnyvera, great price I think I would be tempted to have someone else do mine too at that price!

I agree, equipment makes all the difference. I found the hardest things were....cutting the head off after bleed out and gutting it. The rooster was fairly young and we could not get it open enough to get out the inards.
Do any of you find that is is easier to just skin the bird and butcher rather than pluck and gut??
Thanks so much for all of your support and info!

 

[foxhomechickens]

I disagree

 

[helloroe]

nelgkel: I am not certain where my husband found the instructions. We have them in plastic sleeves so they do not get dirty.

We have had a few birds that we just skinned instead of plucking. Especially if it was a "stew hen" Did not want to waste the time.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

It seems that there's always something to learn each time you process that makes the next session go faster & easier. So take heart, the next time should be better!

I don't know what the bad smell was with that roo, but if you keep them away from food (always supply water) for about 18 hours before processing their crops, and hopefully all their intestines, will have had a chance to empty.

Cutting the heads off can be done easily with poultry shears, make sure you're cutting between the bones & not through them. When I gut the birds I lay them on their backs, tail towards me, and start my cut just under the breast. Then I open the cavity there and cut along the edges of the pelvis, around the vent & through the tail bone. This video shows the process well. It also shows an easy way to skin the birds. I've tried it, but still prefer hand-plucking instead. With a good scald I can pluck a chicken in around 5 minutes.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
Some folks use the black rubber bungee straps for "fingers", cutting them into pieces about 4" and notching one end to fit through holes drilled in the PVC. I haven't done this myself, but just remember reading what others have done.