The Old Folks Home

[pennyJo1960]

use to have here in Tacoma not so now but with the boom in old business comeback to old ways need to see maybe there is one again

 

[Beer can]

I think I have to give ronott1 some credit for my new method. Mentioned awhile back yr or more ago on a thread that a town/small city near me just allowed chickens but only three hens and no roosters, and funny part no processing them outside...lol..
What they supposed to do? Do them up on their kitchen counter Lol!
If I remember right Ron said he processed them in his garage into a garbage can. Thought it was a great idea, though I still do it outside. No neighbors here would be offended lol.

 

[perchie.girl]

for what its worth I will probably do the cone and knife thing... Simply because I will have to do it without help.

But I have plans for a processing hut or station... much like a fish cleaning station... Screen enclosure with all the tools inside a pressure washable area.

deb

 

[Wickedchicken6]

That's how I used to do it, but flopping squirting blood everywhere, advertising to predators. We used a tree stump or block of wood.
Really like my method now, have to take pics and document next time.
55gal plastic barrel top cut out with a heavy plastic bag inside. Cone made out of a bleach jug sheetrock screwed inside. Bird in cone, stretch out neck and slice jugulars with sharp filet knife walk away for a minute. All blood in barrel. Cutting board fits on top of barrel. BBQ grill next to with ready hot scalding water on side burner. Garden hose wash off and soak bird first, not only cleaner but I think it takes the hot dunk much quicker with a wet bird, dry bird floats and you have to push it down, quicker much better skin, too much time in the scalding water makes for precooked tougher skin. On to the cutting board for plucking and gutting, all goes into the barrel, cutting board is offset so everything just drop in. NEXT.
It's up high also so easier on the back.
Take garbage bag out when done and no mess. Hose the barrel cone and cutting board off, good till next time.
Bag goes to the dump.
I've even tossed the bag into our extra fridge before if I could not run to the dump right off.
No fuss no muss.

That's why we hold the wings with the legs; one wing, one leg in each hand...no flapping or flopping and if one wants they can direct the blood where ever. The blood would be negligible here compared to the poo of 70 free ranging birds...lol. I have an unused lamb cone that the bird could be placed in for blood drain now. We always kill with two people. I could do it myself but if others are eating chicken...they better be helping. I like the head to be severed. Just my preference.

At home, we set out two barrels and a couple of long planks on them. Plastic is laid over the planks and the feathers/cleanings went into the barrels. We scalded with a kettle and poured water over the bird. I'm assuming they used garbage bags in the barrels but I can't remember. We did the same when I had meat chickens here...except we did it in the garage out of the sun like what Ron said. The plastic is folded into itself and everything is clean. Same as you...the discards are promptly discarded.

We did the same when we cut a pig. Laid plastic down on the kitchen table first and brought the side in on cardboard. They hacksawed the cuts; I cut, wrapped and labeled. Plastic was folded up and taken out to the burning barrel. No mess.
I LOVE no messes.

 

[drumstick diva]

think I will check back after the topic changes

 

[BantyChooks]

The mangles are supposed to have the same nutritional value as grain and were used for stock feed, chicken feed, humans even survived off them way back. Laura Ingals Wilder's newest autobiography out recently she had even mentioned them as the best feed for laying hens in the winter. I've been wanting to give them a try for a long time now. I figure I'll just feed the tops in the fall then toss a beet in as they eat them this winter, some that feed them say they stick them on a big nail in the coop and let the chickens peck them. I've always had pumpkins and cabbage for them in winter but these should have more substance to them as feed. IDK?

You could always if you really wanted to, buy the truck back after they total it, cheap, if there is a loan on it. Or if you own it you keep it anyway. Body shops can straighten the frame. Get a different cab and body parts. Have it inspected and you will be able to drive it again. Just will say on title and on carfax if you sell it that it was totalled in it's history.

I used to just cut off the head with tree lopers and wanted one of those cutters cause heard they work great. Preferred the garunteed instant kill head off.
I actually now am liking just a sharp filet knife jugular slice in a cone, and walk away for a bit. Works just as good and just as humane.

All the above Lol! And chicken math.
I just have to cut back somewhere and getting rid of the giant's is something I don't want to do but someone has to go and I'm completely for sure never getting rid of these naked necks. Most awesomest dual purpose birds ever. Excellent layers, great meat, super hardy, first ones out of the coop into the snow this below freezing winter. And of course heat doesn't even phase them. Plucking them is a joke so easy, they are actually more naked than they look. Feathers are in strips and patches and poof out to cover the naked, most of the legs breast and vent are feather free once you dunk them and start pulling. And no hair what so ever, no hair to try to pull out or singe. Easiest birds I've ever plucked. Meaty and tender too. We roasted up our big yr old black/red rooster a couple months ago. Was surprised how good it was at that age.
I can always get the white giant's again down the road someday.

I didn't really like the idea of maybe not cutting deep enough and causing prolonged suffering. Maybe I'll try that method some day, after I get comfortable with the PVC cutters.

That's why we hold the wings with the legs; one wing, one leg in each hand...no flapping or flopping and if one wants they can direct the blood where ever. The blood would be negligible here compared to the poo of 70 free ranging birds...lol. I have an unused lamb cone that the bird could be placed in for blood drain now. We always kill with two people. I could do it myself but if others are eating chicken...they better be helping. I like the head to be severed. Just my preference.

At home, we set out two barrels and a couple of long planks on them. Plastic is laid over the planks and the feathers/cleanings went into the barrels. We scalded with a kettle and poured water over the bird. I'm assuming they used garbage bags in the barrels but I can't remember. We did the same when I had meat chickens here...except we did it in the garage out of the sun like what Ron said. The plastic is folded into itself and everything is clean. Same as you...the discards are promptly discarded.

We did the same when we cut a pig. Laid plastic down on the kitchen table first and brought the side in on cardboard. They hacksawed the cuts; I cut, wrapped and labeled. Plastic was folded up and taken out to the burning barrel. No mess.
I LOVE no messes.

What do you do with the discards? I was thinking to chuck them over the dropoff where I throw dead chickens & let the scavengers clean it up for me.

 

[microchick]

Litte Burd finally has a buddy!Chick #2 hatched without incident at 10:45 PM last night. I put it over with Burd this morning at 5AM. She kind of looked at the litte chipmunk like, "What the heck are you and where did you come from?" look of bewilderment on her little face. I went back to bed with her standing there just staring at the new chick. This morning they are cuddled together with their little heads resting on the monkey's legs

Down to one egg left to go. Should start to hatch within the next 24 hours....I hope.

 

[getaclue]

Congratulations micro!

 

[ronott1]

Litte Burd finally has a buddy!Chick #2 hatched without incident at 10:45 PM last night. I put it over with Burd this morning at 5AM. She kind of looked at the litte chipmunk like, "What the heck are you and where did you come from?" look of bewilderment on her little face. I went back to bed with her standing there just staring at the new chick. This morning they are cuddled together with their little heads resting on the monkey's legs

Down to one egg left to go. Should start to hatch within the next 24 hours....I hope.

That is great news!
It is sad when only one hatches. The single chick seems so lonely

 

[chickadoodles]

I been busy lately.....
http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/perchiegirl/slideshow/Jewelry?sort=3

Dipped into the world of Copper. .... and I like it

Beautiful work Deb.