Well, we did it! Yesterday, was the broilers fateful day. We put 23 of our chickens on the 'butchering block'. I have been dreading this day since we decided to purchase chickens 3 months ago. First, a little history. Lacy and I met each other about 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter, his mom decided to butcher her laying hens. I wanted to get to know the family better and make a' good impression' so I agreed to help. It was definitely a learning experience for a young girl who hadn't spent much time on a farm. Needless to say, I was grossed out. It was all I could do to attempt to pluck the thing. Lacy's mom often jokes about the many times she would prepare chicken for dinner and I would always ask 'Is that one of your chickens?'
Since this experience, I have done many new things with animals that I never imagined myself doing. I have even helped pull calves!! I know it's hard for my parents to believe I am in there doing something like this. So, I was expecting the worst for my own chicken butchering day. I have to say it wasn't as bad as my first go-around at it.
On Friday night, we got out all of the necessary equipment for the big day. Our goods friends, R. and A. let us borrow a 'chicken plucker'. It has a spinning drum with rubber fingers. All you have to do is plug it in and hold on to the chickens feet. It does the rest. This piece of equipment saved us alot of time.We made a clothes line with two steel posts and baling wire to let the chickens hang so they wouldn't bruise the meat and to let them bleed out. When we were done preparing everything, we built a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. The kids have been wanting to do this for quite some time. I always enjoy doing it in the fall when the night temps are cool. I don't have any pictures of this because my camera batteries were conveniently dead. That's par for the course.
Since this experience, I have done many new things with animals that I never imagined myself doing. I have even helped pull calves!! I know it's hard for my parents to believe I am in there doing something like this. So, I was expecting the worst for my own chicken butchering day. I have to say it wasn't as bad as my first go-around at it.
On Friday night, we got out all of the necessary equipment for the big day. Our goods friends, R. and A. let us borrow a 'chicken plucker'. It has a spinning drum with rubber fingers. All you have to do is plug it in and hold on to the chickens feet. It does the rest. This piece of equipment saved us alot of time.We made a clothes line with two steel posts and baling wire to let the chickens hang so they wouldn't bruise the meat and to let them bleed out. When we were done preparing everything, we built a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. The kids have been wanting to do this for quite some time. I always enjoy doing it in the fall when the night temps are cool. I don't have any pictures of this because my camera batteries were conveniently dead. That's par for the course.
Saturday morning, we all rose early to get the fire started. Ethan, Brianna and Daddy worked on this until our much appreciated help arrived. Our volunteer crew consisted of Lacy's mom, sister, grandma and L. Each of us had a job and we kept the 'assembly line' going.
Ethan worked very hard keeping the wood to the fire.
Brianna worked hard taking care of Justin & Alana.
Ethan worked very hard keeping the wood to the fire. 
Brianna worked hard taking care of Justin & Alana.
A. handled the 'de-capitation' part.
L. and Lacy ran the plucking machine.
L. and I skinned them.
A. and Gma M. took care of the rest.
I knew I wasn't looking forward to this process and wasn't sure how the kids were going to handle it either. They truly surprised us all. Ethan & Brianna both jumped right in there. Alana was a little unsure so she and Justin hung out in the playpen. I couldn't ask for a better baby. We hardly heard a peep out of Justin. He played contently with his tractor and munched on graham crackers.
When we were finished, we enjoyed home-grown beef on the grill. You wouldn't think anyone would have an appetite but we did. I guess I am officially a "farm girl". I'll leave you with some pictures of the day.
Alana's filling buckets to put cleaned meat in.
Justin's just taking it all in.
With the head!
Without the head!
Everyone gets hungry now and then.
Here is the fire and scalding pot. This is what loosens the feathers for easier pulling. Brianna Cleaning.
4 comments:
Okay, so I'll do my best to erase THESE pictures from my mind when I grill chicken this week! I'm a farm girl, but I'm a late-20th-century farm girl!
Hey girl. I am amazed at your bravery. I would have been grossed out. Sounds like you had a fun day with the family though. That would be worth it. HOpe you have a great day. Love. Michelle Kirk
Okay, so I'll try to erase THESE pictures from my mind the next time I fix chicken! This farm girl has been in town so long.
Gross. I couldn't do it. Looking at the pictures even churned my stomach a little! Great job, though! I guess that's the way it should be done! Will you be in charge of the Thanksgiving turkey this year ;)
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