Got my exercise... more roosters

[frustratedearthmother]

I've also heard the same about putting them in the fridge 3 to 5 days before freezing so I'm going to try it.

That's what we do too. The first chickens we ever butchered came out like rubber because we put them straight in the freezer. Not a mistake we made again.

 

[CrealCritter]

That's what we do too. The first chickens we ever butchered came out like rubber because we put them straight in the freezer. Not a mistake we made again.

Thank you for the confirmation. I really like this site you are are amazing... I learn something new every time I visit. What a great site for a small town guy gone country

 

[CrealCritter]

You're making me hungry! That looks delicious.

I have found a large taste difference in pork from barrows vs. gilts but haven't noticed a difference with the hens vs. Roos. Of course we get mostly roos when we order. (we will only raise female pigs now as a side note)

The roos really are delicious this way... Rural King sells a box of off brand stuffing, similar to stove top stuffing for .88 a box when on sale - .99 otherwise. Actually I think it's better than stove top and a heck of a lot cheaper.

https://www.ruralking.com/stuffing-mix-chicken-flavored.html

I wished I knew more about raising animals for the table. I would really like to expand beyond chickens and turkeys. What is a barrow and Gilt? Male and female? I suppose I could google it...

 

[NH Homesteader]

Barrow is a neutered male. Gilt is a female that has not had a litter. Sow is a female who has had piglets, and boar is a non-neutered male.

The males have a much stronger taste in my opinion. My friend told me she noticed it and I thought she was nuts. Until we had both in the freezer and I tried them back to back.

Pigs are so easy to raise!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

YW! This is a great site! I've learned tons from here too.

 

[CrealCritter]

I would like to see the full butchering process - if you don't mind. If people are squeamish, they need to get over it... It's where your food comes from after all. I butcher & process deer so it's no big deal seeing blood and guts.

 

[CrealCritter]

@crealbilly we have raised feeder pigs twice. The first time we took them to a slaughter facility. The second time the slaughter date was 3 months off (basically you should book a date when you buy piglets and I waited a couple of months) and the pigs were eating 100 pounds of feed every 2 days! So we had a neighborhood slaughter party. We will do it again, our sausage and bacon was better than processed. Bear in mind that I have butchered feral hogs, deer and chickens, but never a pig I raised. I wanted recognizable cuts, I think we did pretty good. And the freakin' BACON!!! Best damned bacon EVER!

https://www.backyardherds.com/threads/feeder-pigs.32154/

https://www.backyardherds.com/threads/feeder-pigs-2017.35395/

You think backyardherds is for a guy like me? Who wants to learn?

 

[baymule]

You think backyardherds is for a guy like me? Who wants to learn?

I durn sure do! And here at SS where you have all of us to walk you through it. We were all beginners at one time.

 

[CrealCritter]

Yeah and my grand daughter is outside the fence yelling - you need help paw paw? Get him.paw paw -:lol

 

[CrealCritter]

Get a nice long handled trout net. Easy to catch birds without hurting them

Great idea - thanks