The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Helencus on August 09, 2010, 09:47:25 pm
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Hi I'm cross with myself today as I gave away 6 light Sussex cockerels that are going to end up in the pot. The reason I am cross is if I'd had a clue how to do things myself properly then I could and should have done the same as I'd not been able to find a home they could go to and live as breeding birds. I had been promised help to do things but it didn't materialise so I had to get rid of them now as they were getting noisy.
I don't want to be in this position again so I either get on a course and learn how to do things or stop hatching which I don't want to do.
So I live in the midlands does anyone know of any courses I could do to learn how to do things properly?
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Hello, Shame you had to give them away!
When we had to 'do' our first chicken we got the book out! The complete book of self sufficiency and followed the pictures!! Sounds daft but we had no idea otherwise, When we moved and started breeding we decided to go on a course to find out how to do things properly, although we greatly enjoyed the day, we actually did not learn much more than the book except presentation skills and how to get the neck bone out, so the book did us well as a starting point.
Some things we have learnt along the way that may help:
The broom handle method of neck breaking is easier if you are not very strong
Begin plucking with the flight feathers on the end of wings first before the carcuss begins to cool down (use pliers if necessary)
Once plucked leave the bird to hang for however long you would like before gutting and dressing(we usually only leave 2 days) and use an old pillow case to hang it in to keep flies off, unless you are lucky enough to have cold storage!!
Make sure any knives/scissors are sharp
Dont worry too much about presentation if its just you and your family eating it, it tastes just as good with a few rips in the skin!!
Hope that helps, if not where abouts in the Mildalnds are you, you can always come down to Oxfordshire and I will show you :)
Dawn
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Thanks Dawn I've just ordered it on Amazon. I do have other poultry books but nothing that gives a step by step. I've used the broomstick approach to despatching a sick hen that worked fine so I know I can do that bit it was just knowing what to do when they've been despatched. I've 2 left one with a poorly leg and 1 I wasn't 100% sure was a cockerel but suspect he is. I'll get on with it with these 2 once I get the book!
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have a look at http://butcherachicken.blogspot.com/
hope it helps :)
Sam
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Thanks both wish I'd asked sooner! Still what's done is done but I feel like I let my birds down. It was my responsibility to see to their end and I left it to someone else. Never again though..
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Thanks both wish I'd asked sooner! Still what's done is done but I feel like I let my birds down. It was my responsibility to see to their end and I left it to someone else. Never again though..
Don't beat yourself up too much. You did what was best at the time. Store the experience and learn from it but move on. 'tis a pity more people don't care about livestock/pets like you do.
Ian
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Although we didn't actually kill the birds, we did dress them for the table on the River Cottage Chicken Keeping Course - it was bloomin hard work I tell you - I was knackered afterwards!
i still have the notes but Sam's link is a useful refresher.
Dawn - whereabouts in Oxfordshire are you?
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Thanks KQ my hubby said the same didn't sleep last night thinking about it. Still can't do anything more but like I said never again I will make sure I'm better prepared in future. Guess that's how we learn by making mistakes. Will check out the river cottage stuff Sharon thanks.
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Hi Sharon
I am in Shilton nr Burford are you nearby??
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I'm in Herefordshire, but originally from Gloucestershire and know the Cotswolds well :wave: