Lesley Posted November 14, 2005 Author Share Posted November 14, 2005 Believe me Jane - duvets and cushions are not what I was thinking! more like "&^&**&******&&&&%%&**&*£^^%&&^*%" - followed by "HELP!" I'm allergic to feathers and forgot until we started the plucking - how stupid can you get Our 'teacher' already had that amused look on his face as he thinks we're totally mad anyway so i didn't dare put a face mask on. Had to use the inhaler as soon as he'd gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 You poor thing, wheezing away! I'm glad that it all went well. I can't say how impressed I am with what you have done. It was great to see you on Saturday - not nearly enough time to gossip, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 14, 2005 Author Share Posted November 14, 2005 I know. I don't like going out much and particularly don't like 'girly' do's but even I wonder where the time goes to at these Omlet get-togethers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Did your 'teacher' show you the feed bag trick? With feathers everywhere sounds maybe not Tie a feed bag (or black bin liner nowadays I suppose) to your waist - another great use for baling twine - and pluck the bird in that. It saves trying to sweep up all the feathers Hopefully that might help with the asthma as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 Thanks for that tip MH - no he didn't show us that way. We actually placed a big garden trug in between us but he was happily throwing feathers all over We're on our own next time so we can do that. He did say that there was a man locally who has a dry plucker and for just a couple of pounds you can do the deed and then take them to his place - pick them up within 24 hours ready for the freezer, plucked and drawn. It sounded appealing until we made the chicken liver pate on Sunday - you can't ask for the giblets and livers if he plucks them They are too good to just throw away. We may check to see if he would just pluck them and nothing more. ClareT - every time I write 'giblets' I think of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 ClareT - every time I write 'giblets' I think of you Can't imagine why PS if you took your chooks to this blokie to be plucked - can you be sure that you're getting YOUR chickens back? I have heard of people getting someone else's animals back, or if they have them butchered, not getting all the animal back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I saw something about that too Clare, although I can't remember where now, but it seemed particularly with regards to pigs. Don't know why though, butchers perks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 - perhaps not then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I think it was an article in Country Smallholding about a couple who had some land in the middle of nowhere that they were farming. They sent in a pig and only got back 2 trotters and half of its innards or something like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 (edited) Last week we had a practise run ready for Christmas Day. We read as much as we could on two other forums about how long to hang a chicken for and decided to separate the two to be killed on the Tuesday and do the deed on Wednesday. It was a bit different this time as the lovely fluffy white chickens have grown into ugly, strong brutes Carl said he'd try breaking their necks the same as the last batch we did but we had a broom handle ready as well. Just as well because it was needed and because it was ready, then the whole thing was still very quick. We did have a bit of an accident with the first and decaptitated it but it would not have known anything about it by then. It was, however, much more difficult for us to come to terms with this time We both struggled with the emotions and it wasn't easy. Once the deed is done though then we feel it is only right to continue to treat the chickens with respect and so we carried on and plucked them. It becomes much easier to cope once they are featherless. They were gutted next day and have been hanging in a cold utility room. One has just gone into the freezer and the other is roasting nicely. Livers have been frozen to add to next weeks to make pate and also the giblets for gravy. We will kill three next Wednesday, ready for Sunday. They weigh 5lbs/6lbs dressed weight - we like leftovers The strangest thing this time was that next morning when Carl let the layers out they all went and huddled in a corner They didn't see or hear anything at all but they seemed very wary. I will let you know how it tastes later Edited December 19, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I'll bet you they are delicious and what a treat for Christmas. We had cockerels for a few years from our Eggman and they were just heavenly so I know yours will be just as good, if not better as you've done all the work yourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 It must have been hard this time, Lesley, but I think you're both doing a wonderful job. It must get easier, the more experience you have. Hope you enjoy the meals which are sure to be delicious. Funny about the layers' reaction to Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Blue Sky Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Lesley I salute you. I admire what you are doing - it is brilliant to be so honest about what you eat, and so connected. How different from anonymous film-wrapped bits of bloodless flesh from a supermarket. I think many many people would be much happier to eat meat under these circumstances - even the veggies who are so inclined on grounds of husbandry rather than taste. You are an inspiration! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Thank you Kate, Sheila and Mrs.BS. I became veggie on the grounds of husbandry, and was for a very long time, even now this all feels a bit strange. When we started this new venture in October, Carl said that if he couldn't manage to do this from beginning to end then he would become a veggie. He was very close to it Lauren and Jake watched the removing of innards and helped sort out the livers. They will help make the pate on Thursday. Today when they visited, they helped choose the three that will go on Wednesday. Jake chose one that was having a dust bath under the low platform and had Carl crawling on hands and knees They are all leg-ringed now. My sister has children younger than my grandchildren and she is also happy for them to know where their food comes from so they went out in the garden to see their Christmas lunch yesterday Anyway - the roast chicken was mm mm mmmmmmmmmm!!!! We had it with stuffing made from home made bread and butter, sage and onions from the garden, bread sauce (ditto) the last of the summer cabbage and freshly dug carrots. The chickens got the cabbage stalks and outer leaves. All I need next year is Cranberry plants - they are now available in this country! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Lesley, I am so proud of you and Carl. I am not sure that I could ever do what you can do and that makes me a meat eating coward I think its brilliant that your children are involved too and your reward is some delicious chicken knowing that it was a very happy chook right to the end. And, did you know there have been loads of complaints about the F word and Gordon Ramsey killing the turkeys Where do these people think that there shrink wrapped oven ready christmas dinners come from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 19, 2005 Author Share Posted December 19, 2005 Yes - and a lot of them are not killed as humanely I was talking to a lady on the organic veg stall at tthe Farmers' Market on Saturday and mentioned that our Christmas dinners were still running (well, waddling) around the garden and she was a bit squeamish about it. I thought perhaps she was vegan so finished the chat, but choosing my words carefully. Then she told me she used to draw and dress loads of chickens as her job! I asked her why she was a bit funny about what I'd said - she just felt uncomfortable and squeamish about the thought of them running in the garden one minute and us eating them the next I seem to be permanently walking around shaking my head at the moment (and wringing my hands like Lady Macbeth ) PS - Lauren and Jake are my grandchildren. Out of my children, my daughter, their Mother, is interested and has no problem eating it as long as she doesn't have to do anything with them and my son is happy with all aspects of the chickens but does complain about the poo because I'm always making him make minor adjustments to the run and he always steps in it or forgets and puts his tools down in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 I applaud you too Lesley. Rosie is a gentle soul and although she understands where her food comes from and I have told her what you are doing, she still has trouble with the whole idea and gets a bit tearful. I won't push it with her, but she will come round in her own time. I too love my animals, but if I needed to kill to live, I don't think that I would have any problems doing so. I can just imagine how your chooks must taste mmmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Proud of you too Fluffy and Carl!! I am about to watch the other side of husbandry and the end! Just wanted to say good for you!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 I applaud you too Lesley. Rosie is a gentle soul and although she understands where her food comes from and I have told her what you are doing, she still has trouble with the whole idea and gets a bit tearful. I won't push it with her, but she will come round in her own time. I too love my animals, but if I needed to kill to live, I don't think that I would have any problems doing so. I can just imagine how your chooks must taste mmmmm. Yes the thing is Clare that to be honest we don't need to kill to live do we but to eat meat and to feed it and know the end shows the greatest respect. Rosie is a star to understand about the process as much as she does. Bless her!! Looking forward to more tales! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 You bet we do. All like minded - with the freedom to express our views to understanding idividuals - and to bounce ideas off them. A great and well balanced forum - with fun, commitment, sympathy, support, and lot of laughs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 Well, the next three are in the polytunnel awaiting their fate tomorrow morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Do you feel a bit sad, or have you managed not to get attached to them Lesley? It's all part of the great circle of life isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 We're not attached to them in the same way as we are the layers, but it still feels uncomfortable. I think these three will decide whether we have any more after these have gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I guess that you might become more immune to the process each time you go through it, and it might be easier with the next batch as there are less 'unknowns'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 It's been really fascinating to hear your accounts of this Lesley, please tell us what happens. I couldn't eat an animal/bird now, not soppy sentiment but a personal thing. I admire what you have done and wait with baited breath to hear if you will or or won't continue. You may have all sorts of feelings, one might be relief it's all over and you never want to do it again I suppose. Please let us know. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
