Stormcrow's Hobby Farm

[NatJ]

I am somewhat lacking in the normal allotment of human empathy - not that I'm uncaring, rather that I find my way to necessity easier than most. I care enough to ensure its swift and cleanly done.

That's about the way I am, too.

 

[NanaK]

Watched two guys do it on Youtube in a little over 15 minutes as a continuous camera shoot...

I've seen 2 friends do a deer in about that much time. Amazing thing to watch. They left no mess on the ground. Everything done cleanly.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've seen 2 friends do a deer in about that much time. Amazing thing to watch. They left no mess on the ground. Everything done cleanly.

it takes me almost 15 minutes to make the cuts, install the bar, string it up, and lift to the desired height

 

[NanaK]

I would not attempt a large animal without help. At least a pulley to lift it. I've seen deer cleaned many times but never attempted myself. It would take me all day. I know the process if it were necessary to eat but I would probably make a mess.

So far, hubby takes care of euthanazia when needed but I have to make the call. He asked me not too although I think I can with a suffering animal.

We (He) has culled cockerals that I could not rehome. They went to his Mom who has now passed on. She loved home raised poultry.

Since his Mom is gone now I told him I have no problem eating any I can't rehome but not the ones I named. Definitely not my hens!

 

[Molpet]

it takes me almost 15 minutes to make the cuts, install the bar, string it up, and lift to the desired height

I used to hang deer in the garage and gradually disassemble over days. Garage is too full to hang, can't get a vehicle in

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I would not attempt a large animal without help. At least a pulley to lift it. I've seen deer cleaned many times but never attempted myself. It would take me all day. I know the process if it were necessary to eat but I would probably make a mess.

So far, hubby takes care of euthanazia when needed but I have to make the call. He asked me not too although I think I can with a suffering animal.

We (He) has culled cockerals that I could not rehome. They went to his Mom who has now passed on. She loved home raised poultry.

Since his Mom is gone now I told him I have no problem eating any I can't rehome but not the ones I named. Definitely not my hens!

COMPETELY understand.

and yes, after doing a few - it really doesn't get quicker unless you are doing it constantly - and there's a lot of meat on even a small goat when its just two people eating. Even with a goat's terrible yield ratio.

 

[Molpet]

I think I would have to be very hungry to eat one of my chickens...

I started raising poultry because I don't like how they are raised. Mine have a good life and hopefully a quick death. Fighting or hormonal boys make it easier. I used to sell the pullets because I haven't been able to dispatch a perfectly good girl.

 

[NanaK]

I started raising poultry because I don't like how they are raised. Mine have a good life and hopefully a quick death.

I'm in an area with many commercial broiler houses. I went inside a couple a few years ago. I see them in cages stacked on big trucks going to the processing plants. I'm soft hearted. It brings tears to my eyes. I don't know the answer but there has to be a better way to feed the masses.
I still buy store bought chicken. I may aways have to buy some. I want to get to a point that I can raise some of my own and limit what I buy.

Fighting or hormonal boys make it easier.

Yes, had a couple of those. MIL said they made great pastry.

I could not take a hen or pullet. So far I can't sell them either. Recently I've started the older girls a retirement home. The young hens start their harassing, the older hen moves to retirement. My girls have a lifelong home.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I still buy store bought chicken - I can't compete on price. I don't buy nearly as many store bought chickens - but if I want a young fryer, I can spend $10 and a few hours of my labor buying, raising and butchering one young meat bird, or I can buy a 12# bulk bag of (badly butchered - clearly mechanically) leg & thigh quarters for the same price.

I enjoy my hobbies, yes, but I'm not stupid.

 

[Molpet]

I'm in an area with many commercial broiler houses. I went inside a couple a few years ago. I see them in cages stacked on big trucks going to the processing plants. I'm soft hearted. It brings tears to my eyes. I don't know the answer but there has to be a better way to feed the masses.
I still buy store bought chicken. I may aways have to buy some. I want to get to a point that I can raise some of my own and limit what I buy.

Yes, had a couple of those. MIL said they made great pastry.

I could not take a hen or pullet. So far I can't sell them either. Recently I've started the older girls a retirement home. The young hens start their harassing, the older hen moves to retirement. My girls have a lifelong home.

And this is how I ended up with over 50 hens, not sure exactly how many.
I have had a lot of predator losses last year. Down to 40+. This year looks about the same. Tuesday I Had a hawk death of a pullet that just started laying. Today I found a dead hen in a coop...no trauma.