Early Morning Slaughter

2009-12-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

So a month or so ago I missed the first killing of the rooster's in the farm that is forming where my parents live. Though they turned 15 roosters into frozen dinner, they still had too many roosters and their hens were not laying eggs and some were getting gang-raped. Not a good situation.

I figure knowing how to kill, de-feather, and gut a chicken is always a good life skill to have. So I requested that we kill some chickens while I was home.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we killed 5 roosters, leaving only two to rule the roost.

The willing and unwilling parties in rooster slaughter

Cindy (my mom), Linda (family friend who lives on the property), and myself

Our photographer--

My sister Shannon and the barn cat Precious

The pot--later you will see what we do with it

The rooster's final morning!

Notice the board that blocks their view of the

slaughter block in the background.

I am pretty confident they were clueless

on what their morning held.

Mentally preparing for the task at hand

You can tell from the expression on my mom's face how she feels about the mornings activities

Chicken #1

We had to push the nails closer together because the rooster was able to finagle his way out.

Linda explaining to me what I need to do. I thought I would get to watch someone chop the rooster's head off before I would have to do it....I found out I was the only one present wiling to do this task. I received some verbal instruction, but then it was ALL up to me!

First whack

It took several.

My sister couldn't look and take pictures.

Success.

There is the head....

...and there is the body flopping around.

Precious had to check it out.

One time the chicken actually flopped on her.

Chicken #2

Placing his head between the two nails...

...poor guy had to look at the instrument that would bring about his death.

This one wasn't as good as my first.

It took more whacks.

Success

Linda and I each taking our rooster to be de-feathered.

If you dip the chicken in boiling water....

it makes taking the feathers off really easy!

Steve, Linda's husband, is watching but not participating in the process.

*NOTE: He was upset that he was not able to participate in the first slaughter. On this morning, we found out his true feelings. He was TRULY relieved to not be there, as evidenced by his choice to opt out of the chicken slaughter.

Mid-process

Getting every last feather

Receiving instruction on how to cut him open...

...similar to Biology class...

...but better...

(hum??? Wonder what Linda is explaining to me?)

...because though it may be warm...

...it is way better than that formaldehyde smell!

Making sure I didn't leave anything behind

Cutting off it's butt

Removing the food from the gizzard (I think that is the part)

I am not sure what this expression is for...but it's comical

Taking the feet off

Practically finished. We haven't cut the necks off yet.

Linda said to just wait until we were inside, but my mom prefers to do it outside because they look better once the neck is removed.

Chicken #3

This is what my mom did each time I killed a rooster. She did watch the first time to make sure I didn't hurt myself.

The best "action" shot with flying feathers and all

Chicken #4

Allowing Chicken #5 to say his final words

Such determination on my face...

Shannon goat a good axe to neck shot...

Whew! Five chickens killed! I did it.

Steve fixed the chicken coop while we slaughtered.

A coyote tried to get to the roosters the night before

and did some pretty good damage to the fence

Mother/daughter bonding

An artistic picture Shanny took

Well....that's it! I sort of wish I had fried up one of the roosters and had a picture of some fried chicken and mashed potatoes...however, the day was busy and did not lend itself to chicken frying.

We did eat some Chic-fil-a for lunch though.

Chicken Slaughter

Early Morning Slaughter