We had 12 BR packing peanuts, 18 weeks old, and we were tired of feeding them, so we decided today was P-day. We studied on here (thanks Frugal for your pics and instructions!) and gathered up all our stuff and started the process about 10:30 this morning.
Our first guy took 45 minutes, start to finish, and then the next few were 20-25 minutes each. By #5, we'd figured out a system where I took care of them while they bled out, scalded and plucked them, while DH processed the previous bird. By the time I had one plucked, he was ready to start working on it, and I grabbed the next guy. We were getting 1.5 roosters done in 15 minutes at the end.
We didn't buy a killing cone, so I just held them by the feet while we cut the carotid and they bled out. It worked fine, and I don't think we'll buy a killing cone for the next time. We've got 10 Cornish X Rocks coming in two weeks. I'll be interested to see the difference when we butcher them.
We didn't have a lung scraper, and DH just used a kitchen knife to scrape the lungs, etc., from the inside. It worked well. The lungs came out pretty cleanly. At this point, I don't see the need to buy a lung scraper.
We fed them starter for the first 8 weeks, then chick grower until 17 weeks old. The last week, they've been on layer pellets with the rest of the birds. They aren't as meaty as a grocery store bird, but they're not too bad. They weighed between 2.5 pounds and 3.5 pounds each, dressed out.
After they've aged in an ice chest full of ice for 3 or 4 days, we plan on canning them in jars. They should be great in casseroles, etc. Can't wait to taste them!
Here's me with the first one finished:
And here's my cute DH:
Our first guy took 45 minutes, start to finish, and then the next few were 20-25 minutes each. By #5, we'd figured out a system where I took care of them while they bled out, scalded and plucked them, while DH processed the previous bird. By the time I had one plucked, he was ready to start working on it, and I grabbed the next guy. We were getting 1.5 roosters done in 15 minutes at the end.
We didn't buy a killing cone, so I just held them by the feet while we cut the carotid and they bled out. It worked fine, and I don't think we'll buy a killing cone for the next time. We've got 10 Cornish X Rocks coming in two weeks. I'll be interested to see the difference when we butcher them.
We didn't have a lung scraper, and DH just used a kitchen knife to scrape the lungs, etc., from the inside. It worked well. The lungs came out pretty cleanly. At this point, I don't see the need to buy a lung scraper.
We fed them starter for the first 8 weeks, then chick grower until 17 weeks old. The last week, they've been on layer pellets with the rest of the birds. They aren't as meaty as a grocery store bird, but they're not too bad. They weighed between 2.5 pounds and 3.5 pounds each, dressed out.
After they've aged in an ice chest full of ice for 3 or 4 days, we plan on canning them in jars. They should be great in casseroles, etc. Can't wait to taste them!
Here's me with the first one finished:
And here's my cute DH:
