We ordered straight run Dominiques this year. I think they're similar to the barred rocks. We had to butcher the roos at about 12 weeks because they started crowing, (we're in a neighborhood.) They were pretty scrawny, about as much meat as a cornish hen.
Butchering Barred Rock Cockerels
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I get mine from the local Amish settlement...
I say, "I want half a dozen chickens",
The owner whistles, then says,
"Pick out the ones you want"
As half a dozen kids run about 30 chickens past the driveway...
I say,
"Make it easy on yourself, I'll take the 'Slow' ones!"
-------------------------
30 minutes later I have chickens that don't have purple bones, red or purple mushy meat, don't have hairs or pinfeathers on, or IN them, and don't taste like the package the store bought ones come in!
I usually get lemon-aid or ice tea in that 30 minute break waiting for my birds!
They run me about 25¢ to 50¢ more than the store per bird, but they are nice and big, solid meat, and taste MUCH better than the store bought ones...
I also don't have to worry about them being pumped full of anti-biotics, growth hormones, steroids, ect....
ALWAYS A GOOD THING!
All kinds of chickens, guinea, real turkeys, not those genetic engineered white kind, all kids of game birds...
They grow them, I buy them! TASTY!
I say, "I want half a dozen chickens",
The owner whistles, then says,
"Pick out the ones you want"
As half a dozen kids run about 30 chickens past the driveway...
I say,
"Make it easy on yourself, I'll take the 'Slow' ones!"
-------------------------
30 minutes later I have chickens that don't have purple bones, red or purple mushy meat, don't have hairs or pinfeathers on, or IN them, and don't taste like the package the store bought ones come in!
I usually get lemon-aid or ice tea in that 30 minute break waiting for my birds!
They run me about 25¢ to 50¢ more than the store per bird, but they are nice and big, solid meat, and taste MUCH better than the store bought ones...
I also don't have to worry about them being pumped full of anti-biotics, growth hormones, steroids, ect....
ALWAYS A GOOD THING!
All kinds of chickens, guinea, real turkeys, not those genetic engineered white kind, all kids of game birds...
They grow them, I buy them! TASTY!
I can clean fish, but have wondered how to clean birds.
Is there a book or dvd that gives an overview? Do you start by chopping off the heads and hanging them upside down? Maybe I should just go to Amish Country and get some hands on experience
I will be building some version of the Whizbang tub plucker this winter. I will post results here.
I now have my winter project set!
I now have my winter project set!
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