We decided last night that Tuesday morning would be the day. (October 4) Dave left early to pick up the plucker while I prepped for butchering. Get the chickens in place, twine for tying, electrical cords in place, sharp knives, bucket of warm water, dishsoap for the dipping water, fill the canning kettle with hot water, wipe down the granite block, what did I forget?
We've butchered without a plucker and with one --- I wouldn't do it again without! Spinnlers made the plucker and loan it out to those in need. It works amazingly well. Just flip the switch, drop in the "dipped" chicken, spray the sides with water, wait and watch about a minute and shut it down. One clean plucked chicken ready for the next step.
This is the part that neither of us like. Dave would much rather be hunting and I just feel sad. I think if you experience taking the life of an animal you can't help but appreciate the food it provides for you in a more profound way. When they are alive, some of them really do look you in the eye. If they are allowed, they really do have personalities. At some point during the butchering process I always end up crying.
The kettle of hot (130 degrees) water is ready, the thermometer handy, hoses and buckets ready, knives sharp, paper towels just in case and my tea. There is the first bird ready for dipping.
In the past when Karl and Rose helped, I could focus on the eviscerating, With just the two of us we we did a bit of everything. Well, I just couldn't do the killing.
Once they are clean they cool off in cold water, get picked over once more and then get wrapped loosely, placed in coolers, packed with ice and age for a couple days. The process took 3 hours.
On Thursday, I double wrapped 11 chickens, a total of 64.4 pounds, and placed them in the freezer. Most were 4 - 6 lbs so we are set for chicken for the winter. I think it comes out to about $2.20 per pound for organic chicken.
I'm glad the butchering is done, it's a hard thing to do. We will enjoy chicken dinners, chicken soup and chicken sandwiches this winter. I won't worry about added hormones or pesticides when I feed my kids and grandkids the chicken that I've raised.
