The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Piggerswiggers on June 14, 2016, 07:32:51 am
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Morning all. I'm thinking of rearing some chickens for the table but am concerned by complete lack of experience when it comes to slaughtering. I've read quite a lot, including the advice on this site, but would really like to get a bit more "hands on" with someone who knows exactly what they're doing and can provide a bit of support in the future. My problem is that all the courses I've found so far are a long way off that would require at least an overnight stay. Does anyone know of something in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire or Norfolk?
Thanks
Piggers
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No answers for you hut following as I think I'm in a similar area to you and I'm looking for the same thing.
Have you asked on your your local smallholding group. There's a guy on mine who runs days but only in the colder months.
We've just put some eggs under a broody and a local more experienced smallholder has offered to help us out when the time comes to dispatch the boys.
Dans
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Can't help with finding a trainer but my advice (which someone gave me) was just go for it, its not as hard or daunting as you may think. I'm sure there are many ways of doing it but I found dispatching them with an air rifle was the best way, have someone else secure the bird, nice and relaxed then a quick pellet at point blank range stuns and bleeds the bird fairly quickly. A quick hose down then a dunk in a pot of hot water for 40 seconds makes plucky a doddle. Just take your time dressing them, as long as you don't contaminate anything with stomach or gut content it doesn't really matter how you dress them. I start at the neck, open it up and take the gizzard out. Go to the other end, hold the bird up by the legs and give it a shake to move everything away inside to reduce the chance of cutting anything when you're opening it up. Cut around the anus then pull it out followed by the intestines etc, then cut round the diaphragm then carefully reach in and pull everything else out. Its not a pleasant job but its quite rewarding when you have your nice homegrown chicken sitting ready to go in the oven. The main thing is to keep everything nice and clean and ensure no contamination gets to the meat. It gets easier with every bird you do.
Good luck!
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We got the Haynes Manual on chicken keeping that has a very handy section of how to dispatch and dress and just had a go.
I would also suggest joining a local smallholding club, I am part of Fenland Smallholders Club that covers Cambs and Linc. There are a number of people happy to help and 1 person who gives training (may be the same person Dans referred to). They have a facebook page if you want to look them up.
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:wave:
Yes it was FSC I was talking about. Very good group. See you at one of the meetings maybe?
Dans
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I don't run courses per se, but I've done hundreds of birds (chickens, ducks, geese and turkey) and taught lots of people at the community farm and would be happy to help if we're local enough to you. PM me
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There is also a lot of Utube videos you might find useful, just google it
Good luck :thumbsup:
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Thanks so much to all for responses. I will get to the smallholders group - I really should have thought of that. I've also pm'd Benkt as I'm hedging my bets.
Feeling much happier so will start to source chux in earnest.
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Where abouts are you Piggerswiggers? I'm between Spalding and Peterborough.
Dans
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Good luck!
I was part of the Community Farm with Ben as well so if you are a bit unsure having someone show you is handy!