AL - Recording baby steps: Newest Addition

[ohiofarmgirl]

I was wondering today what my life was like before I was catering to meatie chickens.

*snort* ah yes.. the old 'what was it like back then...."

golly i can tell who what its like "after" - its like chicken heaven and anytime you want a chicken dinner you just go and open the freezer
;-)

actually we have a few more to do. and stop identifying them as individuals! yikes! you'll freak yourself out.

to prepare for The Big Day i recommend that you spend the night prior in deep meditation, then get up at midnite, build a huge bon fire, paint your self on woad, dance wildly around that fire, call your butcher-day mate a variety of disparaging names, punch each other in the arm, beat your chests, and then double DOG dare each other to man up, get out there, and get 'er done

least ways.....thats what we do.

you'll be just fine.

i know some folks who moved to florida and they are all disappointed that its cold there. we are mocking them from here (just kidding)

;-)

 

[lorihadams]

We did 13 more today and finished out all the orders we had. Still have 22 more to do. It was freezing today! In the 30s, but they had to be done. Hubby sold 5 more today at work, then he asked me if he could sell any more....I told him 5 more and that was it till next year. At this rate I'm gonna have to build another tractor!

It is not that bad....hubby's hands were so cold from cutting up the birds that I killed 8 of them myself today....it wasn't that big a deal.

We even laughed at my husband today when one of the first ones we killed flopped out of the killing cone and landed on my husband's head....

When you get to the point where you can laugh at something like that you know you're over it.

 

[AL]

hehehe yeah, I noticed the pullet this morning and will definitely have to clean her up so they are all the same on Saturday.
LOL I will definitely have to tell my friend about the pre-processing rituals - she would be all over that! I have to work overnight so by the time we get going I will most likely be in a killing mood!

Lori - I would die! I would laugh.. true.... but I would die. HA

Our temps are supposed to get back to normal except for a day or 2 more in the 20s next week. Highs in the 70s, lows in the upper 40s. THAT is how Florida is supposed to be!

 

[Denim Deb]

Deb - that snow was from Feb, nothing has stuck this year, we just had the few flurries.

I was talking about the flurries. You've gotten more from your flurries than we have. In fact, most people in the area probably don't realize that we've had any snow. I only know because I was outside for one small flurry, and for another, my daughter told me. You could only see the snow if you looked reaaaaaal close!

 

[TanksHill]

You know I am kinda kicking myself. About a week after yo ordered your birds I considered 25 CornishX from Ideal. But I chickened out. Not sure about our weather, vacation schedule etc.. Now its been in the 60's for the past month and I have not gone anywhere. Just think I could have had 25 stinky fat birds in my yard as well.

Lori my husband would die if a decapitated chicken fell on his head.

g

 

[AL]

I was talking about the flurries. You've gotten more from your flurries than we have

.

OH... hahaha

Aw Gina- it would have been awesome to have a cyber bonfire. Who knows though, maybe I'll do this again in the spring (somebody stop me!)

So this morning requests were taken for the menu of the last meal. Wise selections were made - crisp chick crumble with egg, a side of alfalfa and timothy pellets and a finisher of juicy leftover english peas.
As the feathered oinks dove into the buffet (literally), I gave them The Talk. I assured them that their days of being unappreciated are almost over, that they will finally be recognized for all they have to offer. No longer will they be known as the nasty-butt stinking chickens - their aromas will be appreciated by many, and many will gaze upon them with longing and thankfulness.
After a slight scuffle at the boys tray, I reminded them how important it will be for them to reach a state of relaxation before their big day. They should lay in the bright warm sunshine, dust bathe in the fresh clean (for the moment) dirt and quench their thirst at the bar, for tomorrow brings new adventures and the end of their exile.


It should be a very interesting day, because we have quite the cast of characters:
- me, butchering for the first time ever and it is something I raised; AFTER working an overnight shift (apparently on no sleep since I am here instead).
- friend - the ultimate girly girl but tough enough to kick butt and take names; she is loud and funny; there is no telling what may come out of her mouth lol
- The BF - a laid back Minnesota farmboy that thinks this is all very funny and he is so excited. When friend tells him I called he says "Lori?? Chicken Lori???"
- friend's 15 year old the son - too cool for words and smarter than any of us (no really, he is)
- friend's 7 (?) yr old daughter who will react exactly however we do, so this WILL be fun and cool
- my 12yr old nephew has advised me he will also be here to help; he wants to be a tough guy, and will try extra hard with BF and the son here. He said it will be weird feeling chicken guts on a cold day. I don't think he knows what chicken guts feel like on a warm day?
- Rio - the 105lb, 2 1/2 yr old Lab who will hopefully lay in the shade of the cedar tree and obediently watch in silence
- and the stars of the show, the Frankenchickens. I don't know yet how many we plan to work on. Ideally only half - both because of the getting exhausted factor and because some are still not all that big. But we may just do them all and count it as lessons learned.


Tune in tomorrow for the continuing saga of "It's a Good Day to .... Escape Exile"



ETA - because I can't spell

 

[TanksHill]

 

[Farmfresh]

Good luck to you all! After about the third bird you will feel like you have been doing this for years.

PS. Don't be afraid to try different methods. Skin some. Pluck some. Keep some whole. Process some in cut up pieces.

Try lots of things and see which one works best for YOU!

Added to say: Tomorrow would be a good day to fire up the crockpot with some beef stew or chili BEFORE starting the chickens.

You will be tired and hungry later and probably NOT for chicken!

 

[lorihadams]

Absolutely....make a vat of something for dinner so you don't have to cook when it's all over.

We packaged 13 tonight after hubby got home and we were so done that we went out for mexican.

I think it's funny that you are "chicken Lori" too!!!

My husband has to go to work on sunday to deliver chickens to customers (the guys he works with). It is so funny....my laying hens will stand next to the fence and squawk at us when we are cutting things up...we throw them the little bits of fat, skin, gristle, and other assorted little nibbly bits. When they see hubby pull the table over next to the chicken run where he put up the killing cones they come running waiting for treats!!! Cannibals!

You'll be good, you'll have fun, it will be a learning experience for everyone.

You'll be surprised at how clean and pretty the meat is. You'll be impressed with the livers and how big and clean they are. The size of the breast meat will surprise you and at the end of the day....you'll collapse, exhausted, wondering why in the world you never did this before now.

Let us know how it goes! Take pics!!!

 

[Blackbird]

I'm voting for the Minnesotan. For obvious reasons.