I like the first link better, but the second one is good too. Good Luck Friends!
See also this video on how to kill a chicken (HERE)
Back-to-Basics. Helping others obtain their own self-sufficiency by growing their own food.
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Saturday, July 31, 2010
How to Butcher a Chicken
10 Easy Step-By-Step instructions showing you how to butcher a chicken with plenty of pictures and lots attention to detail. After seeing these easy steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a Master Butcher.
I like the first link better, but the second one is good too. Good Luck Friends!
I like the first link better, but the second one is good too. Good Luck Friends!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Benefits of Raising Backyard Chickens
Raising your own backyard chickens is not only fun, but self gratifying. Best of all, you know where your food comes from. Here are just a few wonderful benefits.
Healthy:
The single most important benefit is that you know what you’re putting into your body. I’m sure you heard of the phrase “You are what you eat.” That is so true; if you eat healthy you will be healthy…only makes sense. Eating eggs from your own backyard chickens are 100% natural. That is if you feed them ORGANIC feed, and let them forge naturally on grass, insects, etc. Eggs from homegrown chickens do not contain antibiotics, chemicals, and added hormones.
Eggs you get from the store come from chickens that are isolated in a controlled environment and force fed to make the chickens produce eggs faster so the company who sells the eggs make more money.
CAUTION: Yes, you can buy eggs from the grocery store that state “Free-range”, or “100% natural,” or “Cage Free,” and “Organic,” But that is not the same! They classify “Free Range if the birds are let out for just minutes a day. Or “Cage free” if they are not in tight wire cages, but companies that raise these chickens for egg production still keep the so called “Cage Free” chickens in climate controlled building with little or no access to fresh air, sunshine, organic grass or grubs like chickens were made to forge on.
If you take a so-called “100% natural or “Cage Free, and Organic” egg from the store and crack it open along side a REAL free-range chicken egg and you will see the difference right away.
Taste:
The taste of homegrown chicken eggs are far better that store bought eggs. Besides taste, the yolks on home grown chicken eggs are a dark orange color verses light yellow color on store bought eggs. If you have never tried fresh eggs from a TRUE FREE-RANGE CHICKEN you do not know what you’re missing out on. And once you try it, you will not want the store bought ones again.
Meat Consumption:
There are 3 noticeable differences between a “Real 100% Natural Homegrown Chicken” and a so called 100% Natural Chicken from the store.
First, a backyard chicken is tougher than a store bought chicken. The reason is simply “100% NATURAL.” Well, you might say, “So are the ones in the store?” Nope, read carefully the small print that says it’s enhanced other ingredients to preserve flavor. Also, the large chicken farmers keep the chickens confined in tight controlled buildings where all they do is eat a certain diet. The chickens do not have access to natural light, unable to free range or get fresh air to name a few. And the store bought chicken is a HYBRID. They are mainly Cornish which have a very fast growth rate. They were mixed bread (HYBRID) for fast production. A Cornish hen is not recommended to be naturally reproduced because of their fast growth rate.
Second, a backyard chicken has a better chicken flavor you can not beat. You do not have to season and marinade a backyard chicken. The real flavor is in the meat already…..naturally!
Third, the meat is darker, even the breast. What fast food chicken restaurants call dark meat, is light on a backyard chicken. Now shades may vary slightly depending on breeds.
Natural Fertilizer:
Backyard Chicken droppings are the BEST fertilizer in the world! It is CHEMICAL FREE! As the chickens graze, they will fertilize your soil naturally. Also, when periodically cleaning their coop, you can pile the droppings in your compost pile and use it in your garden or flower beds. You don’t have to buy chemical fertilizer for your garden.
Use it first for your fruit and vegetable plants and any extra you may have use in flower beds, or even spread it in your yard to help your grass grow. Prioritize the natural fertilizer (chicken droppings) on fruits and vegetable plants since you will be eating them. Insect Control:
Chickens naturally forge on insects. It will eliminate most if not all the pest that are lurking around in your yard. Insects are great source of protein, minerals and vitamins. That is their nature to scratch for food. Plus, letting them free-range not only makes a healthier happy bird, but saves you money on having to buy feed.
Great for Children:
What a great way to teach your children the basics. I grew up with chickens on our farm and I have some fond memories that will last a lifetime. It teaches children responsibilities taking care of the birds, where their food source comes from and gives the child something fun and exciting to do outdoors. It is a great chore for your kids and fun too.
Cost: Fairly inexpensive, depending on what scale you chose to raise the chickens. A few chickens will not eat much feed, especially if they free-range a lot. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) The initial cost of shelter and fencing also depends on other factors. Like, how many birds you chose to raise, if you use new or used material etc.
Healthy:
The single most important benefit is that you know what you’re putting into your body. I’m sure you heard of the phrase “You are what you eat.” That is so true; if you eat healthy you will be healthy…only makes sense. Eating eggs from your own backyard chickens are 100% natural. That is if you feed them ORGANIC feed, and let them forge naturally on grass, insects, etc. Eggs from homegrown chickens do not contain antibiotics, chemicals, and added hormones.
Eggs you get from the store come from chickens that are isolated in a controlled environment and force fed to make the chickens produce eggs faster so the company who sells the eggs make more money.
CAUTION: Yes, you can buy eggs from the grocery store that state “Free-range”, or “100% natural,” or “Cage Free,” and “Organic,” But that is not the same! They classify “Free Range if the birds are let out for just minutes a day. Or “Cage free” if they are not in tight wire cages, but companies that raise these chickens for egg production still keep the so called “Cage Free” chickens in climate controlled building with little or no access to fresh air, sunshine, organic grass or grubs like chickens were made to forge on.
If you take a so-called “100% natural or “Cage Free, and Organic” egg from the store and crack it open along side a REAL free-range chicken egg and you will see the difference right away.
Taste:
The taste of homegrown chicken eggs are far better that store bought eggs. Besides taste, the yolks on home grown chicken eggs are a dark orange color verses light yellow color on store bought eggs. If you have never tried fresh eggs from a TRUE FREE-RANGE CHICKEN you do not know what you’re missing out on. And once you try it, you will not want the store bought ones again.
Meat Consumption:
There are 3 noticeable differences between a “Real 100% Natural Homegrown Chicken” and a so called 100% Natural Chicken from the store.
First, a backyard chicken is tougher than a store bought chicken. The reason is simply “100% NATURAL.” Well, you might say, “So are the ones in the store?” Nope, read carefully the small print that says it’s enhanced other ingredients to preserve flavor. Also, the large chicken farmers keep the chickens confined in tight controlled buildings where all they do is eat a certain diet. The chickens do not have access to natural light, unable to free range or get fresh air to name a few. And the store bought chicken is a HYBRID. They are mainly Cornish which have a very fast growth rate. They were mixed bread (HYBRID) for fast production. A Cornish hen is not recommended to be naturally reproduced because of their fast growth rate.
Second, a backyard chicken has a better chicken flavor you can not beat. You do not have to season and marinade a backyard chicken. The real flavor is in the meat already…..naturally!
Third, the meat is darker, even the breast. What fast food chicken restaurants call dark meat, is light on a backyard chicken. Now shades may vary slightly depending on breeds.
Natural Fertilizer:
Backyard Chicken droppings are the BEST fertilizer in the world! It is CHEMICAL FREE! As the chickens graze, they will fertilize your soil naturally. Also, when periodically cleaning their coop, you can pile the droppings in your compost pile and use it in your garden or flower beds. You don’t have to buy chemical fertilizer for your garden.
Use it first for your fruit and vegetable plants and any extra you may have use in flower beds, or even spread it in your yard to help your grass grow. Prioritize the natural fertilizer (chicken droppings) on fruits and vegetable plants since you will be eating them. Insect Control:
Chickens naturally forge on insects. It will eliminate most if not all the pest that are lurking around in your yard. Insects are great source of protein, minerals and vitamins. That is their nature to scratch for food. Plus, letting them free-range not only makes a healthier happy bird, but saves you money on having to buy feed.
Great for Children:
What a great way to teach your children the basics. I grew up with chickens on our farm and I have some fond memories that will last a lifetime. It teaches children responsibilities taking care of the birds, where their food source comes from and gives the child something fun and exciting to do outdoors. It is a great chore for your kids and fun too.
Cost: Fairly inexpensive, depending on what scale you chose to raise the chickens. A few chickens will not eat much feed, especially if they free-range a lot. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) The initial cost of shelter and fencing also depends on other factors. Like, how many birds you chose to raise, if you use new or used material etc.
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