| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 7:50:50 PM
I have needed to do this for a long time now. I butchered 3 roos all by myself today. I had caught them all about a month ago and had them in a coop. So last night I got them all in a big cage with water. I got everything ready out under the tree near the water hose and table today. Got the big pot with water on the stove and all my sharp knives and hatchet and loppers. I nailed the cone onto the tree. Everything was ready. I had started bread so had to wait for it to rise then bake. I said when that was done, I was going to do this. I had the water all ready when the last bread came out of the oven.
So out I went. I got the middle sized one first. I carried him by the legs so his head was down. Then into the cone. I left him there while I got organized. Then got the big loppers. I thanked him for his life and did it. I am surprised at how easy it was. I did not get the feather plucker hooked up to the drill because I couldn't figure out how to get it on. So I just plucked by hand. It only took an hour to do all 3 birds. I am quite proud of myself for doing it all by myself. I felt like a prarie woman. I could probably just go out now and grab a hen and wring her neck and fry it up for supper. Well, I don't know about wringing a hen's neck.
So they weighed 3, 3 1/4 and 4 pounds. I got the livers, gizzards, necks and hearts for gravy. I put one in the fridge for dinner Sat.
I thought I wouldn't be able to do it. But I really am surprised at how easy it was. I didn't get sick to my stomach like I thought I might. I didn't cry. I was fine. I really feel like a homesteader now and that I could survive on my land if I had to.
So all in all, I had a real busy satisfying day. And 3 home grown chickens ready to eat that were all raised and cared for right here at Outback Farm.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 18 2011 : 4:32:06 PM
Yes they do and they will be! I made 2 quarts of the best chicken broth yesterday with the bones. I added onion, celery, carrots and seasoning and fresh thyme to the pot and simmered it for several hours. It is so good. I cooled it and got to quarts in the freezer. These chickens make the best broth ever. And so good for you too. I always get several meals from just one bird. And the dogs get the meat and wing bones plus the mashed up carrots and celery. They love it too. No, I DO NOT give the dogs cooked bones of any kind. Especially chicken bones. They eat raw meat and bones only. This is a special treat just for them every once in a while.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rebekahj |
Posted - May 17 2011 : 07:33:46 AM
I agree with Angie...all mean roos belong in a pot! Hahahaha!
Urban-Farmgirl Sister #2173
http://chicken-merry.blogspot.com/
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| amomfly |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 3:25:18 PM
LOL LOL
I love that story! All mean roos belong in a pot!
Come visit my blog
http://angieruralliving.blogspot.com/
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 3:18:49 PM
That is funny. Apparently there are lots of mean roosters out there. It was probably pretty boring without that one. But maybe he was just a lonely roo. If he had some ladies to keep him company and keep him busy he would not have had time to chase him.
But Jimmy Buffet had all kinds of ladies and he still chased people and attacked them too. I'll never forget the first time he did it. My 7 year old granddaughter was standing out by the fire pit one day. I was inside looking out the dining room window and saw Jimmy strutting around behind her and he was getting closer and closer. Finally, before I could even think about what he was doing, he reared up and flew at her back. Well, she jumped and started to run. I was out the door by then and chasing him. He was right on her heels. And if you could ever see that kid run, you'd laugh too. She is hilarious when she runs. And slow. But that day she was a racer with a roo in hot pursuit! He never did get her because I was there then and could get him away. But I can still see that in my mind and I still laugh. I didn't laugh then but I do now. And she will one day too. She sure did eat that rooster and dumplins the other day though. 2 bowls FULL.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rebekahj |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 10:40:23 AM
Your post reminded me of an old funny story I love... An old boss of mine moved to, I think, the Susanville, CA area and bought a farm. He moved his family up there and lived four days a week in an apartment in my area to work in the Silicon Valley. Him and his wife didn't want to raise their kids in the city any longer, but he made too good of money to leave his job. Anyway, he came to work one Monday and said that his daughter was invited to a party and as a party favor all of the kids got to pick out a chicken to take home. Well, his daughter chose a rooster. It made me laugh that they gave away chickens as party favors. I love that!!! As the weeks went on, he would tell us funny stories about how mean the rooster was and how he couldn't feed his horses properly because of the rooster. His family let the rooster go in their horse pasture where there was already a hen house and they thought he could roam around in the pasture. He said the rooster was so mean that he would have to wait for the rooster to be far off on the other side of the pasture and then he would run the hay in and try to make it out before the rooster could attack him. Apparently, whenever the rooster saw my boss, he would beeline it straight to him and attack his legs. My boss said he would try to catch him to get rid of him, but he couldn't. Well, finally one day months later he trapped the little feathered monster and took him to the local feed store and asked them if they could take the rooster. They said, "yah, sure, just put him in one of the pens out front with the rest of the free roosters". My boss claimed they had about fifteen of them mean roosters out front in small hutch-like coops. "Apparently lots of people get rid of them", he said. He was so funny describing the events that took place with this rooster. I was sad when it was all over.
Urban-Farmgirl Sister #2173
http://chicken-merry.blogspot.com/
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 09:25:34 AM
Yeah, I guess not many people do that. But it had to be done when I could get help. And a SIL with a gun is great! And he needed shooting practice. So there ya go. Kill 2 birds with one stone, so to speak.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rebekahj |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 07:52:53 AM
I love it! You kill roos at your daughter's birthday party. That is my kind of party.
Urban-Farmgirl Sister #2173
http://chicken-merry.blogspot.com/
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 15 2011 : 6:22:27 PM
What a day. I am pooped. I had to go sit with Mrs. T most of the day. Then rush home because the whole family was coming out for my youngest Dd's birthday party. Thank goodness I had made the cake last night before we went to get the 2 day old ram lamb. Whole nother story. So got home and got everything ready. Afterward my mom's friend brough me 4 new laying hens! 3 Auracana and a Barred. Rock. Her hubby wanted to keep a few for them. So while she's here, my SIL starts hunting the 2 game roos I wanted to butcher. I got the water pot ready while he got the first one. Before I was done with him he got the other one. So 2 more roos in the freezer!!! Now I just have 1 game roo for the 6 game hens and 2 Buff roos for the 15 Buff hens. I have them divided between the 2 roos. So much nicer and way more manageable.
Holly, it's not that hard to do a few at a time. I don't know if I could do 25 in a day. Although I did do about 15 the first time I did them. It did take all day. But with the home made feather plucker it would cut the time in half. That thing is amazing.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Tall Holly |
Posted - May 15 2011 : 3:53:17 PM
Wait until dark to catch the game birds you want to get rid of. our birds roost at night and we have taken a flashlight out to snatch the ones we want gone.
I take my birds up to a man and his son who do them in. It is getting more expensive each year so I an considering doing them in myself. Years ago we did 25 in a day and it was a long day. Call the department of Agriculture in your state they should have a list of the slaughter houses that do in chickens.
Congratulations to you on a job well done. I do not know why store bought birds are soft except maybe they have sat around dead longer than ours do.
Holly
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 3:46:00 PM
I put the chicken in the crock pot while I was gone most of the day. It is so tender and juicy right now. And on the way home one of the grands said she would like chicken and dumplins for dinner. I didn't even tell her I had a chicken cooking. So she just helped me put the dumplins in and I told her who it was. She is telling everyone else. She said it's rooster and dumplins! So they are happy he's gone too. He was getting mean for sure. And I was not going to let him hurt one of these kids. Or my momma or hubby either.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 09:32:52 AM
Ok, I just checked the chicken. It's so hard! I guess I'll just have to boil it the rest of the time. This is Jimmy Buffet. He had it in for us. I'll just make dumplins I guess. The other 2 are way younger.
Tara, at least ya did it! And you shot it too? I think that would be harder for me than chopping off a head for some reason. Maybe a turkey would be easier than a deer. Fur is so much harder than feathers. But good for you.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Sweet_Tea |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 08:40:37 AM
You did Great Kris :)
I haven't had to do this yet, but I can't believe you plucked all 3 in an hour.. I shot a turkey and plucked it by hand, I know I was sitting there for over an hour :P
Farmgirl Sister #2974
~ http://notsosweettea.blogspot.com/
"The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears"
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 06:43:45 AM
That sure would be nice to have a place around here to take mine. I think the closest is somewhere in Kentucky. I'll have to check around and see. But for a few at a time I'll just do it here. I would love to raise some to sell though. And they would have to be USDA inspected.
SO I cut up the 4 lb bird to bake this morning. Is there something they do to the store bought chickens that make their bones so soft? I have cut up whole chickens for years and never had a problem getting between the joints. But I swear, I am plumb wore out cutting this one up. The bones are as hard as steel. ANd I had to just about tear it up to get it cut up. And the meat is not white. I know mine will be darker because they were free range. So maybe that's why their bones are harder. Also this roo was almost 2 years old. I start out at 350 for an hour then go down to about 200 for several hours. It usually falls off the bones by then.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sissarge |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 7:41:12 PM
Congratulations Kristin, can't say it gets any easier, but the next time will be better. Years ago with the help of my mil and dil we killed 5 turkeys, 27 roosters, 10 hens and 65 quail, and 2 ducks, wow what a job. After that I have been able to take mine to a place near Texas A&M and they did it all including baging and putting ice in my ice chest. They stopped doing for the public, and now we do our own again. This time just as we need one. I mostly sell my roos and some hens. Enjoy you meal! Have a great day! Farmgirl #946 Linda |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 5:01:22 PM
Thanks, y'all. It's just one of those "have to do it" jobs on a farm. I don't enjoy doing it but it has to be done. I remember the first time I butchered. I had raised 25 meat birds and it was time. So I asked a friend if she could come help me. She came and I was going to do the first round. We were using a hatchet. I raised that hatchet up I don't know how many times and she finally yelled "Just do it already!" and I did it. After that first one it was easy and I did most of the rest of them. And it was in Aug. and about 95 out. And she had to leave to pick up her littlest Dd at the day care. Her clothes were blood splattered and she looked like she had murdered someone. I said I hoped she did not get pulled over!
But I want to raise and grow all our food here. Even right now I hardly ever have to buy food at the store. I wish I could make toilet paper here.
Now rabbits, that's a whole different story.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| homsteddinmom |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 11:34:59 AM
WTG!!!! I also have no problems doing roos, but when it comes to the hens :( there my babies...lol I dont pluck i skin as we dont eat or need the skin anyway..lol. CONGRATS!!!
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
| MEWolf |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 09:45:06 AM
That is awesome Kristin! I know the first time I do this will be hard. You are a great example!!!
Margaret
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
Henry David Thoreau
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
| rebekahj |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 09:26:33 AM
Good job Kristin! I watched my grandpa kill and pluck his chickens when I was a kid and I have always wanted to raise and prepare my own to eat like that. I think it would be hard to do, but I agree about giving thanks for their life and the food they represent first. That is a lovely way to do it. We have to keep in perspective it is a life, but it is also survival. Wow! I am so impressed and I love how you did it and then posted it for all of us to read about. I love how you share your experiences with us and enjoy reading every one of your posts.
Urban-Farmgirl Sister #2173
http://chicken-merry.blogspot.com/
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| rksmith |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 09:00:16 AM
Congratulations Kristin! I'm sure those roos will be delicious!
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| sherrye |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 07:16:58 AM
kris, you are a homesteader pioneer woman for sure. you should never doubt it. i have always looked up to you and your farming. good job on the birds. i am going to have to get mine done. the taste of that chicken will be so good. knowing you grew them and did it all. good job farmgirl kris. happy eating for you sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| Alee |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 07:09:21 AM
Great Job, Kris!! I am envious of your farm! And you did a great job in doing that all yourself! :)
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| gypsy goat |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 05:43:24 AM
wow! good job, i'm not sure if i could do that. maybe if i was starving!
farmgirl#1362 whatever you are be a good one-abe lincoln |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 05:28:22 AM
If I can do it any one can. I just had to get it in my mind that it had to be done right then so I had to do it. I had 8 roosters with only 21 hens so they had to go. I kept 2 Buff roos for the Buff girls. Now to get someone over with a .22 to shoot these game roos. I have 3 of them and there is no way I can catch them. I have 6 game hens that I will sell or give away to who ever can catch them. I just want my Buffs. And a few Auracana and Barred Rock that I am getting in a few days from my mother's boss. She's giving me 6 hens! Already laying too. SO I needed room for them.
Anyway, I am so glad it's over for now. But I have 2 game hens sitting on a nest of eggs in the milkroom that should hatch any day now. I will put them in a crate in a few days so I can keep them caught. I will have more roos when these eggs hatch. These hens are where the 3 game roos came from. They are pretty boys but they are getting in my garden. Can't have that.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 04:47:50 AM
Way to go Kris, you lean, mean, killing machine! I give you lots of credit, I have not done this yet, but someday I will have to.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| BalancingAct |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 10:51:31 PM
Congratulations Kristin! I want to hear about the mouthwatering dinner. LOL!
Farmgirl Sister #2851 -"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
