Fattening the cocks

[RichmondHens]

We finish our bantam boys in the same way as the big ones. They do tend to be a bit more of a pain in the **** though so some get done a little sooner if they are driving me mad. They do tend to fight more than the LF.

We tend to skin our bantams and turn them into casseroles, curries and soups. The big boys get plucked and roasted. I am also a fan of the hot water method as described by Roitelet - makes plucking much easier and quicker.

Usually we kill and pluck on one day, then hang the birds in a cool shed, and gut them a day or two later. Sometimes we do all three steps on one day (and gutting is easier if the bird is still warm) but it really depends on how many we have decided to do and how much time we have/what else we have to do that day.

[lynda66]

I've not eaten a bantam, but I think Nicos has I'm going to have to either re-home or cull a couple of young cockerels very soon and I want lessons on how to do all the prep stuff! Preferably have someone there with me and we'll do 1 each

the offers still there if you want to bring them up and i can help xxx

[Nicos]

Yep- they seem to weigh in at about700g short leg length ( ie gutted and prepared.
Nope not a lot of meat- but very sweet flavour.
Probably enough for 2 peeps.
The bones make a fantastic stock too!


We do as Roitelet does with the preparing

[Hilary B]

I only wet-plucked a bird once. MUCH messier than dry!
Either pluck immediately after killing, or hang for 2 days (in cool fly-free place, but not as cool as a fridge). Wing feathers are a right pain; if plucking 'straight away' do the wings first, you won't get all the feathers out before the wing is cold and they 'set', so leave primaries until last, because you can 'trim' them instead, alternatively cut off the last section of wing and 'trim' the flight-feathers on the next bit (or if you really can't face the fiddle, just cut the wings off).
On a small bird, I'd be tempted to do what I usually did with pigeons, use the breast and legs, skinned, and throw out the rest (saves gutting as well); there isn't much meat on wings or back of anything much smaller than a RIR.

[Scarlet]

On a bantam I skin, chop off the wings if they seem to fiddly, gut straight away and rest in the fridge. They are great for soup - the kids love chicken and sweetcorn!
The LF get plucked when warm and I either gut straight away or hang for the day before gutting.
I have tried the wet method of plucking but it didn't work for me.
Turkeys get plucked straight away, being careful to avoid tearing the skin, I place it in a pillow case and hang from feet for 7-10 days before gutting. I try not to get any water on the skin,(I was told that this makes the skin go sour during hanging tho' not sure if this is true)

[petal]

I give the pekin cokerels, the moment I identify them to the ferret.

[mr darcy]

Please could someone explain to me how i would kill a chicken if I had to. Being a veggie I havn't even been able to fully think about it but it's fairly isolated where I live and I'm not sure what I'd do if i found one that had to be dispatched. I think I should know the truth, as what one imagines is far worse usually than the reality. What is the quickest way of dispatching a chook? I'm not squeamish by the way, just a bit emotional!

[Glutton4...]

Please could someone explain to me how i would kill a chicken if I had to. Being a veggie I havn't even been able to fully think about it but it's fairly isolated where I live and I'm not sure what I'd do if i found one that had to be dispatched. I think I should know the truth, as what one imagines is far worse usually than the reality. What is the quickest way of dispatching a chook? I'm not squeamish by the way, just a bit emotional!

I spent ages reading about it after a Google search. My Husband wanted to know how to do it humanely, if ever it was needed. He has culled a few since then, due to illness, and has always chopped the head off with a cleaver afterwards, just to be sure.

However, my father uses a 'priest' like fishermen do, and it is far quicker and easier. Have a google for that too, you may be surprised. It is the method I would use if faced with the task.

[mr darcy]

Had a bit of a google and ended up feeling rather sick hope I don't have to do it and if i did would probably just do it somehow and then collapse somewhere and need a couple of beers...at least

[OverWyreGrower]

I use the 'broomstick' method, as I'm not very strong. I'd prefer it if Mr OWG did 'the deed', however I know that there will be situations where I have to do things myself.

I recently had to put down one of my young hens with Mareks, and decided to do it myself. We were in the garage, she had a cuddle with me. I didn't want to lay her on the cold concrete floor, so put some sacks and an old towel down, and did the deed.

Once she was dead, I left her for half and hour and had a cup of tea, then went and tidied up.

[Suechooks]

Had a bit of a google and ended up feeling rather sick hope I don't have to do it and if i did would probably just do it somehow and then collapse somewhere and need a couple of beers...at least

I have a hand held humane dispatcher. I've said this before but for me its the best option although I know others don't agree. I feel that it is quick and simple and infinitely preferable to a botched neck dislocation as my hands are no longer stong enough to be certain I'd get it right first time. I can give the bird a cuddle and get them relaxed so they have no idea whats happening. The one I did made me feel sick but at least I know i didn't bungle it.

[Polly Fouracre]

Whichever way you do it it's not a pleasant job. Best to do it as humanely as possible, don't put it off and when it's done you will sleep easier!

[mr darcy]

please could you explain broomstick method and humane dispatcher. i don't want to upset anyone it's just that when I google these things it just freaks me out, and I trust you lot to advise me properly!! I too am more terrified of mucking up a dispatching than actually having to do it!!

[Suechooks]

please could you explain broomstick method and humane dispatcher. i don't want to upset anyone it's just that when I google these things it just freaks me out, and I trust you lot to advise me properly!! I too am more terrified of mucking up a dispatching than actually having to do it!!

The humane dispatcher is similar to (but not identical) a pair of pliers which you place at the top of the neck as close to the head as possible and then close, so it crushes rather than dislocates. Theres a breeder near to me who uses one and she advised me to get one as she hasn't got the strength to dislocate. As Polly says no way is pleasant but you need to find the method best for you and your birds. Given the choice I take mine to the vet but its not always an option and obviously not when birds are for eating!
If you look on Ascott Poultry Supplies web site there is a photo of one

[OverWyreGrower]

please could you explain broomstick method and humane dispatcher. i don't want to upset anyone it's just that when I google these things it just freaks me out, and I trust you lot to advise me properly!! I too am more terrified of mucking up a dispatching than actually having to do it!!

With the broomstick method, you lay the chicken on the floor, and place a broom handle (or similar) over it's neck. You stand with your feet on the pole, either side of the chickens head, lift the chickens feet, push your weight onto the pole, and (for want of a better word) pull/jerk the chicken up so the neck dislocates.

There is some flapping, but it's all over pretty quickly.