The best way to make good chicken out of a bad one

[hoping4better]

Welp, I just put the bird in the oven. He had attacked my little girl (3 yo) a couple days ago and I finally got time to put him (17 week old rooster) down. It's my first time slaughtering anything but a trout. I was surprised at how hard of a time I had cutting his artery and equally surprised at how easy it it was to pluck him. Quite a first experience that wasn't near as bad as I expected and I was able to share the experience with my two boys (8 and 5). Now they get to know where dinner comes from.

Josh

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

good for you!!!
and welcome to BYC and THE MEAT BIRD THREAD

 

[hoping4better]

Thanks for the welcome Katy!

I'm glad to be here. I've already read and learned from this forum and look forward to letting my hens raise a few this year and fill the freezer this fall.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

It will get easier the more you do it. The first time is always the hardest.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Yay for you and your boys too! I hope you let the bird rest long enough so he won't be tough. I agree, a long soak in simmering broth will make even the worst chicken turn nice. There are so many nice roosters having to be dinner guests, there's no need to keep an aggressive one, especially around small children.

I'm glad you didn't find that plucking was a chore, it's the easiest part of the process for me too. Next time look for the bare spot right behind the point of the jaw to slice through, it's easier to cut through skin than to hack through feathers.

Enjoy your good chicken!