Processing for BJ. From newbee to newbee...

[MontyJ]

Good for you Cane! You'll be better for the experience.

Too bad Dh is "chickening out" Bj. Maybe if he sees you trying it on your own he'll have a change of heart?

 

[canesisters]

Thanks for the encouragement and support.

BJ, if you pop over to BYC I bet that you could find someone who is close enough that you could work out a processing day with them. I'm willing to take on a lot of new challenges, but with the possibility of causing unnecessary suffering, I'm not brave enough to figure it out on my own.

This thread is chock FULL of good info.

 

[dewdropsinwv]

Cne, at least you are brave enough to do the processing, Im not. I dd help Monty with hlping him keep the water hot enough for the scald and final wash and pinning. Just couldnt bring myself to be involved with the actual "processing"

 

[bj taylor]

i'm actually kinda flirting with the idea of doing maybe two birds on my own & see how it goes. one bird doesn't hardly seem worth the hot water, and more seems like maybe more than I could handle - but maybe two birds is something I could pull off. who knows.

 

[baymule]

BJ, just skin the first one. It's MUCH easier and it will help you get your feet wet without the torment of picking feathers. Also, cut off the wing tip at the first joint. Not much meat there to speak of, so don't waste your time. Just do one. Keep it simple the first time, so you can learn how.

These birds are how old? And roosters from a layer breed? They probably won't be frying chickens, but will make lovely pick-the-meat-off-the-bones for chicken salad, tacos, casaroles, etc.

 

[thistlebloom]

I'm thinking of processing my old hens. I've been putting it off, but one egg a day from 6 hens is pretty pathetic. I've never done it either BJ, maybe we could set the date and do it together ( but far, far, away from each other ).

 

[Kassaundra]

I also have a different method of ending their life. I am not "professional" at it by any means and have only done less then 10 total. I agree skinning is the way to go at first I haven't plucked any yet all mine have been skinned.

The processing I have done by myself, my husband has said from day one he is not having any part of it, though he does support me in doing it in a non hands on way. Like when I decided to use a pellet gun, he did most of the research and purchased one for me, and when I had an idea for a killing station he built it for me, stuff like that. I have been learning a different thing w/ the chickens neutering, which is an invasive procedure and have had a mentor / friend helping me, I bring that up b/c both are very emotional invasive things to do to the chickens and one I did on my own the other w/ a companion and the difference is great, I would definitely try the state byc thread or ask around in your area for someone to do it with you on the first time, having that moral support makes a huge difference. But if you can't find anyone it is doable and survivable, but the suggestion to do the deed and walk away definitely follow that advise, the death throughs (sp) are really stressful\to watch/listen too even though you know in your brain the bird is dead and not feeling it.

 

[Kassaundra]

I'm thinking of processing my old hens. I've been putting it off, but one egg a day from 6 hens is pretty pathetic. I've never done it either BJ, maybe we could set the date and do it together ( but far, far, away from each other ).

I have been threatening to do this this year, I said I would only do it if I found a pressure cooker to put the meat up that way, and this week found an awesome deal of a good pressure cooker at a second hand store for $10. So we'll see if I stick to my guns this fall.

 

[baymule]

I'm thinking of processing my old hens. I've been putting it off, but one egg a day from 6 hens is pretty pathetic. I've never done it either BJ, maybe we could set the date and do it together ( but far, far, away from each other ).

Get some cute little chicks in the spring............ opps! too crowded! somebody has got to go!!

Y'all could always talk each other through it on your cell phones. That gives me an idea! Hey BJ! PM me if you want my cell number and I'll be your phone buddy through the process!

 

[bj taylor]

wow, bay what an offer! my birds are somewhere between 20 & 24 wks. they're all layer breeds.
thistlebloom that's a great idea!

i'm thinking i'm going to go for the 'chop the head off' method. I like the idea of knowing they're instantly dead. I haven't got the details worked out because I don't want them flopping all over the place. when we had to kill my Charlie, I couldn't believe the amount of thrashing. it was very upsetting.

i'm looking for a 'stump' of some kind that I can use. haven't found it yet.

i'm going to take bay's advice & just do one bird my first time.

NEXT question... how do you catch your chickens. do you tie them up the night before, do you go out super early & get them off the roost - how do you handle that part?