The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: ambriel on September 04, 2011, 05:39:28 pm

Title: Nigel is no more...
Post by: ambriel on September 04, 2011, 05:39:28 pm

Our homicidal cockerel, Nigel, finally ran out of days today.

He's now hanging in the shed, pending plucking and gutting.

Title: Re: Nigel is no more...
Post by: HappyHippy on September 04, 2011, 05:51:06 pm
Oh dear - poor Nigel  :-\
Bet he tastes lovely  ;)

P.S. I've heard they're easier to pluck when warm. If you're hanging him, you might want to get a bucket of hot water to dip him in to heat him up and make it easier when the time comes. (Yeah, I know...... I spend WAY too much time watching chicken plucking clips on YouTube  :D)
Title: Re: Nigel is no more...
Post by: deepinthewoods on September 04, 2011, 06:27:36 pm
the hotter the water the better, i dunk em in nearly boiling. ;) coq au vin perhaps with a good botlle of merlot?enjoy!
Title: Re: Nigel is no more...
Post by: ambriel on September 04, 2011, 09:48:29 pm
Thanks, yes I'll give him a good dunking in hot water before handing him over to the 'plucking crew' :)

He was a fine looking bird, just too dangerous to have around when the kids were about.

He was by no means easy to catch, either. I ended up constructing a snare from a length of plastic piping, and a length of cord double threaded through it so it formed a noose at one end that could be drawn tight at the other. Worked a treat.

Once he was under control it was away into the shed to perform the final act.
Title: Re: Nigel is no more...
Post by: SteveHants on September 06, 2011, 07:01:25 pm
I tend to grab mine when they roost, beats chasing them around the garden.  ;D