My work began early this morning at 5:30 A.M. Pat helped me catch five of the biggest roosters which were placed in a portable pet carrier until I was ready for them.
Next I lined a wheel barrel with cardboard and set it under a tree. I like hanging the chicken from a tree branch so I can have it at eye level while plucking feathers.
A very helpful tip I learned from the web was to set up a sink while butchering; this old bathroom sink worked very well. 
I began butchering at 7:00 A.M. and by 9:30 A.M. all the roosters were finished.
Normally I discard the neck and gizzard but the sink set up worked so well I had plenty of time to clean these extra parts.
The gizzards that came out of the roosters were the biggest ones I have ever seen.
The chicken fits well in gallon size Ziploc bags.
I learned a lot about butchering a chicken from this blog: http://cultivatinghome.blogspot.com/searchq=butchering+chickens The photos are really good.
I am not sure why the link isn't working on my end; the front page comes up. If you want to see the photos of a chicken being butchered just type "butchering a chicken" in the small white box located at the top left corner of the Cultivating home blog.
Good job Patty..
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up my mom and I would butcher at least 50 chickens a day till we had a couple hundred in the freezer..
I sure miss those days.
Well, someone has to do it. Many city folks go to their local market, never thinking twice WHERE their chickens came from. At least in your case, the chickens are being raised and butchered in a HUMANE way. Check out this link - it's sad!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mercyforanimals.org/hatchery/