Suggestions on Chicken Processing Set up and Blood Disposal

[MrsChickens]

I've had a backyard flock for several years and now moving to an ag area where I can have a rooster and incorporate breeding and occasional processing into my operation. As long as I'm designing garden/poultry layout along with compost pile location, what suggestions for creating an area to process chickens? Or don't bother? Do you process where the flock can see? I ask mainly because I also have 3 Eng Springer Spaniels that would love to help with the processing so a fenced off area may be preferable for me to work without the dogs. My plan would be to share the bits with them but mix the blood with water and dispose of as liquid fertilizer around my fruit trees and shrubs. I know the dogs love blood meal fertilizer when I put into the garden. I have to make sure I incorporate it fully otherwise they will dig things up. My question is if I pour the blood/water mix and even rinse with the garden hose to make sure everything is saturated into the ground, will my dogs be drawn to those areas and start digging? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I anticipate processing to be less than six maybe 2X per year. So it should not be large volumes.

 

[YdogsflY]

Honestly, just butcher on a table in the back yard where it's convenient for you. That few birds isn't that big of a deal.

Start a compost pile with a fence around it and dump the blood there. It will be better used as compost in your gardens than just watered down and poured around some trees.

Dogs shouldn't be an issue if they listen well.

 

[MrsChickens]

My dogs listen pretty good, but depends on what the conversation is...blood plus chicken would make them near deaf... lol.

After thinking about this a while I like a fence around the compost pile and a small area to process would keep me separate from the dogs. I could use snow fencing - set it up when I process and then store it wrapped around the compost pile. I plan to use a cone and scalpel and let the birds bleed out that would work in the little fenced area quite well.

 

[YdogsflY]

I hear ya on the dogs.

The snow fencing sounds good. As long as you have something sturdy to attach the cone to, you should be fine.

 

[MrsChickens]

I was thinking just sink a post - it would work. I'm not looking to do anything elaborate, just a way to separate me from the dogs. Locking them in the house or the barn would cause more commotion that letting them see me but not get near me. Question - I planned to have the compost back near the chicken house/pen. This may sound a little crazy but should I lock up the chickens when I do this? I'm not sure I want them to witness the executions and skinning.

 

[YdogsflY]

Nah. They'll enjoy it. If you feed them parts as you're cleaning a bird, it'll keep them closer and easier to catch.

I wouldn't lock them up. Catch the ones you want to butcher the night before and put them in a crate. Let the others do their normal thing. It won't bother them.

 

[MrsChickens]

Thanks for your advice. Probably what I'll do. Do you feed the chickens all soft entrails/organs? I plan to skin and take breast/legs/thighs the rest of the carcass I'll give to my dogs. Everyone will have a treat on processing day!

 

[YdogsflY]

I like to give the dogs the heads, feet, necks, some livers, and backs. Freeze the extras for later. Hearts get used for broth and gravy. Sometimes the chickens get some livers and hearts. I try to keep the intestines away from the chickens.

Good luck with everything.

 

[MrsChickens]

Thanks

 

[Crooked Chicken]

I've had a backyard flock for several years and now moving to an ag area where I can have a rooster and incorporate breeding and occasional processing into my operation. As long as I'm designing garden/poultry layout along with compost pile location, what suggestions for creating an area to process chickens? Or don't bother? Do you process where the flock can see? I ask mainly because I also have 3 Eng Springer Spaniels that would love to help with the processing so a fenced off area may be preferable for me to work without the dogs. My plan would be to share the bits with them but mix the blood with water and dispose of as liquid fertilizer around my fruit trees and shrubs. I know the dogs love blood meal fertilizer when I put into the garden. I have to make sure I incorporate it fully otherwise they will dig things up. My question is if I pour the blood/water mix and even rinse with the garden hose to make sure everything is saturated into the ground, will my dogs be drawn to those areas and start digging? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I anticipate processing to be less than six maybe 2X per year. So it should not be large volumes.

I've not done any butchering yet, but it's likely in my future. Here is a really great thread on the actual butchering and making some yummy looking broth: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=109583
There are some pictures of his set up there.

I have an old sink laying in my lean to. Figured it might be handy if I make a simple table to put it on - maybe just put a bucket underneath and use the hose.