Butcher Day *VERY GRAPHIC* View at own risk

The four roosters were getting a good size and the hens were trying to fly the coop, literally.  We decided, despite the brutally hot temperatures, it was time to get these birds in the freezer.

Off to the cone

Let the skinning begin

Eviscerating



Notice the ceremonial bandana



Oopsie, dropped a kidney

Farm fresh leg quarter vs. grocery store

Ready for the freezer!
 



 

 Because the roosters went so smoothly, we decided to go ahead and do a rabbit too. We have about 8 more to do, but it will have to wait until tomorrow, or even next weekend if the weather might cool a little. 

Grass fed rabbit was full!

Risqué rabbit

Digestive system was working well

I will be attempting to tan some hides next time.

The rooster breast bones are in the stock pot for some...stock.  And the backs of chickens and rabbit are going to be cooked down, pressure cooked and made into dog and cat food-hopefully. I will let you know how that goes.

I also froze the livers, gizzards and one heart.  I am not a big fan of the organ meats-in anything-but I am sure that there is big nutritional value in them, whether it is directly as in fried (which probably negates it) or indirectly as in simmered in the broth.  Worse comes to worst-fishing bait! 

We now have at least four meals in the freezer-but for lunch...fish sticks...baby steps. 

Chick Cliques

Pecking order.  A curious thing.  Chickens, horses, and of course, humans. 

 

We have watched the speckled chicken fall from the top of the order and she now stays outside the coop under the steps.  I even clipped her wings but she still escaped (of course when you free range throughout the day that will happen). 

 

 

 

According to the squatting, we have a new ruler, the floppy comb.  Of course, I am the one with the food bucket and thus will always be alpha.  I hope to be a kind and fair queen...sorry, I digress. 

 

One of the chickens on the low end of the pecking order has decided it is much more fun hanging around with the goats, even to eat with. 

Wait for me!

 

I am sure this is just a phase and she will get tired of their frolicking and food and return to her kind soon enough.  After all, we are all intrigued by the new and different in the beginning. 

Is she riding Brie??

The End(s)