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never butchered a chicken

Posted by cranberry15 Zone 5 WI (My Page) on
Wed, Nov 26, 08 at 11:05

Help! My hen prolapsed on Sunday (4 days ago). I isolated her and tried the Prep H thing, but it's not going back in. I feel it's best to stop her suffering now rather than later. But I've never butchered a chicken. I'm not sure I'm up for it unless I had an "expert" go thru it with me. Any ideas how I should proceed? How do I find someone? I'd also be happy to donate her to a family that wants to do the butchering. She's about 8 months old and good size. RI Red and Delaware mix. I'm in Racine County, SE Wisconsin. (I'm also posting on the Farm Forum)


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: never butchered a chicken

Cranberry, I hope you got a reply on the Farm forum! Surely you put her down by now. If I had seen this earlier I'd been happy to help.

George
Tahlequah, OK


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RE: never butchered a chicken

This may be a bit graphic, but.....

Grab her by the legs. lay her sideways on a wood block (grass works too). lop the head off with a cleaver or machete. Don't hesitate, as some folks don't cut all the way through on the first time.

The body will move a lot and blood my fly, so leave the body in the grass till it's over with.

If you don't care for the bloody factor, then ring the neck and make sure you break the spinal column. the bird will still move as with cutting the head off.

There are a few ways of removing the feathers. Someone else needs to make a suggestion here. I just pull the feathers by hand and use a torch to burn the last bits. There are better faster methods.

As to cleaning. It's like gutting a fish. Take out the entrails and keep everything clean. Cut the skin around the anus so everything comes out in one piece. Try not to break the intestines or anything else. Keep the liver, heart and gizzards and anything else you want. bury or compost the rest.

soak the body in salt brine for a little extra insurance that it is clean.


 
 

 

 


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