ChickenCrossing.Org

It is a shame you don't live closer Jill!  I have 8 feet right now headed for the trash.. too bad.  I did save some feathers from the cochin though.  Not sure what I'll do with them, but they were too pretty to toss.

Second time- I have plucked one, went MUCH MUCH faster even though he was a cochin.  dh bought me a giant canning pan.. still not big enough for this bird.  What the heck does everyone else use??


  Ok so.. I'm still processing, that's fine.  But it was much harder to do the killing this time.  We did it the same way, and just as fast.  I felt like crying in the middle of it though.  Last time was easier.  WHY??  I did process two birds I really knew this time- one the cochin even had a name.  The other was a chick that was the first batch ever hatched from my own flock.  Meat birds are easier- you know why they are here, and when it's time, it's time.  With the other 'accidental roos' though.. gawd it sucks.


Meghan

Wow Meghan, you were very brave to push through the emotion & hard work to do the job!

I've been playing with the idea of raising a few meat birds myself, but not sure I could do it.  I'm sort of stuck between big-softie-bunny-hugger mode and wanna-be-selfsupporting-pioneer mode.  Since I can't seem to make myself stop eating meat, I do like the idea of the animals at least having a happier, healthier life before I eat them.  Not having much money, that means I'd need to raise them myself. 

Anyway, reading your post was educational & inspirational, and just might help me move a little further along in my mental toughening up process.   I connected with it, because you're not a seasoned pro unaffected by it all.  I know if I do it, I'll probably sob like a baby through the whole thing... and still be proud of myself in the end.

So many thanks for sharing your experience!  And good luck with perfecting your methods.

It sounds like you did a pretty good job so I would give yourself a High Five- It definitely isn't easy with all the procedures and everything...  One of the hardest parts for me is putting the birds to rest...

Good Job

It is a tough job to do. I did 15 meat birds earlier this year. The2 I tried as Cornish game Hess took an hour for two people to do 2 birds!  The next time I did the rest of he birds and got a plucker. That made life much easier. Check your local feed store they might have one for rent. Mine rents it for $15 a day. Now we have 50 more Cornish x to process and my 28 cockerells to do. All the same day( yup I'm crazy). A plucker will save you slot of time. And for a scalding pot I just used my moms largest put that she uses for canning and such. Best of wishes with you other bird ventures! Ohmy bro said they use the feet n head for a great broth. And they skinn the feet so it's not as bad as you imagine!