Harvest Time!!

NIGEL:

**WARNING - GRAPHIC PHOTOS FOLLOW**

Well after being GANG ATTACKED (me by 3 once!! as I was working on the gutter & finishing the iron siding) & seeing an increase in fighting, we realized it was time to begin harvesting our cockerels/roosters (not sure when this transition happens, but there has been lots of non-consensual sex)! All of this has changed the way many of the pullets (hens) now behave. Most rarely venture outside!!

Art (#75) who had become alpha-male was being a bad influence on several cockerels, (with attacking Susan or me & harassing the coop in general) including Blackbeard & TOT! So we were hoping to get a loan of a mechanical plucker. It didn't work out for Saturday, but we thought we should do the entire experience, including hand plucking!

It happened that 4 of the "Art (#75) Gang" were outside, so Susan suggested we isolate them for later in the day. Once I finished some work on the gates for our internal fence in our pasture we prepared to harvest. We bought some knives for processing earlier in the day & a large glass cutting board.

We reviewed several Youtube videos to ensure we knew ALL of the potential issues.
This is the one we checked on the most. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAJh9ehtTmA

Heated the water for scolding to 175'F, & set up a line to hang the cockerels from so they can bleed calmly & well. We moved a table to our processing site (in the pines) along with a large trash/garbage can, plastic bags rags & water. Jim our great neighbor wanted to participate & learn about the experience. Being a biologist, he offered many interesting details (chickens link to reptiles & dinosaurs) various biological names for the different internal parts of the chicken & some much needed humor as it was quite stressful (the killing part at least) for me.

Decided to do 2 at a time, so I caught #56 & then #75 & hung them by their feet in a noose. I was very nervous about cutting their throats in the least painful/most efficient way. My first attempt barely cut into #56's skin! Fortunately I did it properly the next attempt & both died calmly....with a little flurry right at the end.

Then Jim & I began plucking as Susan did other organizing/readying. The feathers came out quite easily for the most part. The we removed all of the other parts, keeping the heart & liver to eat later. Susan went off & burnt off the small hairs/feathers that remained. Then back in to catch #74 & an un-banded cockerel.
We continued the process, except Susan helped with the plucking. I burnt the small hairs/feathers that remained while Susan & Jim cleaned up.

We rinsed them thoroughly, dried two & put them in bags & into the freezer. The other two were going into the oven!! It was an intnese afternoon evening!! Thanks Jim..... awesome!