How to butcher chicken at home, detailed instruction you'll find nowhere else!

[@williamkalina7944]

Looking for processing chickens with-out plucking, (Skinning) don't see the link...

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Link is at the end of the video buddy. Go all the way to the end screen links

[@solsalia]

Its the picture at the top at the end.

[@pappamike6231]

I've been watching your processing videos in Jan/Feb and June every year since 2019.

[@cheapolegunguy]

I can't believe you don't give those chickens a blindfold and a cigarette before you dispatch them :)

[@kellymong5265]

Awesome video!! My husband and I are just beginning the process to raise our own chickens. I've been pouring over your videos, thank you!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

awesome....best 2 tips I can give you: If you want eggs get white leghorns (eat less, lay more and last for years) or red sexlink/rhode island red (brown egg, eat a little more lay a little less) go with cornish x meat bird every time...most everything they eat becomes meat! They grow fast...but efficient and saves time and money over some other breeds like ranger broiler...who eats nearly 2 times as much, lives longer and is less meat in the freezer

[@ericclementson8107]

I really appreciate you taking the time to film this step for step. I watch it a couple times before we process out broilers everytime. It is very helpful! Thanks!

[@Will7981]

Of course chickens have no cognition of their fellow chickens being processed. Where do folks think the term "bird brain" came from?🤔 LOL

[@stormmountain2521]

Your best chicken processing video to date. Love your Channel

[@dirty3893]

In West Virginia the department of agriculture has 2 trailers set up with all the equipment to harvest chicken and they rent it out really cheap. So people might be able to reach out to their local agriculture office and see if there’s state has them.

[@theta6802]

Hey a fellow WV farmer!

[@colettefurlong2088]

I always use your videos For a refresher & since watching your videos I have been purchasing Broilers and I love it ! Tomorrow is processing day for my chickens , it’s been 8 weeks and they are averaging about 10 pounds each . I also use a chicken wagon !! I got the Idea also from you lol . Keep making videos , I’m learning a lot & love raising my own food . I look forward to spring and having chicks 🐥 Nobody said you can’t love on them and give them a fantastic life for 8 weeks ❤️

[@jackholden6320]

Thank you for your work and videos.

[@joeyc.4506]

As a kid in the hills of WVA I used to watch my grandmother do this the ole fashion way. She'd hang them upside down on a clothes line and grab them by the neck and quickly cut the neck off, let them drain and then hand pluck. We couldn't afford all those fancy things you have there. This was back in the sixties. Lol, thought I'd share cause this is the first time seeing this on youtube since then and you reminded me of the good ole days.

[@coder010]

Sure does bring back memories when I used to help my grandparents process chickens

[@denisbrisebois7658]

Josh … this video was extremely well done. I especially love the way you explained the process. God bless you and stay safe !!!

[@jimcurleyjr6968]

Fantastic! The most informative video on chicken processing I have ever seen! Keep up the good work and thanks

[@ammadhassan3342]

Great job guys.God bless your family for providing good food and info.

[@calvingreene90]

When I was little we raise egg layers and ate the excess roosters fried and worn out layers stewed.

[@kdkracing4746]

Glad to see that you know and apply the understanding of the limits of poultry cognition. You are right chickens don't feel trauma or fright from being present while others are being processed.

[@debbiesa34]

Thanks for share, Interesting to watch. Love from Austin Texas♥️🙏🏼

[@jadesumsion]

T minis 4 weeks. Helpful video. This will be our first time processing. Got 20 and it’s been a great time with the kids. A good learning lesson. The circle of life! Thanks. Love the videos. Always so happy.

[@needstacos4892]

Quick and humane with a good life leading to the event. Good on you.

[@RandomFlares]

You keep posting these and I keep watching...Nice work

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

More to come!

[@davidedwards3734]

Great video. A lot different on the way I was raised. Have a Safe Day

[@chelemichele1524]

👍👍 Have a good evening 🌻🌻🌻

[@grayghost75]

Thanks for the refresher I'm getting ready to process my chickens next week.. thanks

[@david.6040]

Good information

[@Tunkabear]

Excellent video my friend. We processed a few chickens two weeks ago, you are way more organized but we did it almost in the exact same fashion. I need to invest in a plucker, looks like a real timesaver. Take care bud. Woooooo!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@ReefMimic]

I love your setup

[@shantelobrien3798]

Thank you for putting content out like this!

[@wkosnik66]

We started doing cornish cross last year and our set up is very similar....even down to dad helping! Love your videos.

[@darrenh5665]

Many thanks Josh, I’ve learnt a lot. Fantastic video.

[@ib9070]

Great videos always i actually did my first batch of chickens yesterday and had a great day doing it the xl bags made life super easy haha thank you for doing what you do and spending the time todo it!

[@kimberli2391]

Good job! Very efficient. Everyone does it a bit different. After plucking we cool them, then we gut. Then put three cleaned birds in a loose bags (so don't touch ice directly) and put in deeply iced chests. We take a break to cool really well and have lunch. We bring in the house to part out most birds, more time now, easier later. We have usually 6-8 people helping dryers, cutters, and vacuum/weighers. :) We then put in ice again and leave a full day. It has worked well for us. I take a few days to make chicken broth from the bodies and then pressure can it. We all will eat well this winter.

[@stuartsplace100]

Your channel is awesome 🤩

[@ricksousa3932]

I'm looking forward in placing an order.

[@emptynestgardens9057]

Thanks for helping out "You Can't Eat The Grass" tonight. New sub and Look forward to binge watch your channel. 👍🏻

[@karenboyle6748]

Really appreciate the detail! Thanks..

[@MoovinOnEstateSales]

Just butchered 68 meat birds earlier this week, first time raising meat birds (have been raising/selling layers for over a decade - we just skinned cull roosters) used your video from a couple of years ago along with Joel Salatin's, both very helpful. A couple things I wish you or others would mention...you need to age your birds 24 to 48 hours right after butchering so they are no longer in rigor mortis BEFORE freezing, otherwise you'll have to let them sit in refrigeration when you take them out of the freezer for a week or more, if you don't you'll be eating VERY tough and rubbery bird. To do this you either keep them in a fridge (if you have the room) or in coolers with lots of ice - I learned this the day we butchered! I actually had enough fridge space, but our extra fridge chose that day to die on us so some went in our motorhome fridge, the rest in deep freeze. The 2nd VERY important fact, is if you're like us and live at over 3500 feet elevation (mountains of Montana), get your chicks mid-June NOT mid-May like we did - we lost 33 because of crazy temperatures. We are very experienced farmers and are extremely good to our animals, this was a hard lesson especially since we're the people that our vet and butcher are always complementing on our animal raising skills and ethics. I did days and days of research before even ordering meat chicks, I didn't learn about the elevation issue until it started happening to us. Since starting them in mid-June is going to put them into hot days you'll need to keep fans and misters on them when needed (learned this from local chicken producer), being careful to not get their feed wet. Next year will be much better, I guess as farmers we always seem to learn the most by first learning what not to do! Thanks for your video.

[@padave29]

We just processed our first small batch of chickens yesterday, and roasted one afterward. I was SUPREMELY disappointed with how tough the bird was. Since then, I’ve seen the “rest” comment several times. Would’ve been nice to see it BEFORE learning the hard way! 😂

[@royfrady8219]

Excellent instructional video.

[@ProjectsWithPaul]

Very interesting process. I would buy those over store bought any day!

[@andyperrine9987]

Great, great video. Very informative & you certainly make it look easy. Inspires me to definitely want to do it!

[@curtisjackson7742]

I appreciate him showing the process, I've always been curious how it goes. That chicken was so docile when he put it in the cone, I was a bit surprised by that.

[@johnsamuels9096]

That's some quality content.

[@danielraygoza3933]

Great video!

[@statedace3]

I'm just waiting for when it's time to place an order..I grew up about the same way here in WV..hope someday you can try selling Turkey's along with the beef and chicken's..great channel.

[@morgangardner3745]

I just had a couple questions 1) why do you leave the neck of the chicken? When ever I go to buy like a rotisserie chicken from the store or something never see them with the neck. Just didn’t know if there was a purpose or and if it just cooks good. 2) is there a advantage or disadvantage to skinning rather than plucking? 3) do you have a video on making chicken stock? I just wanted to say I appreciate all the videos you’ve posted. I’m getting chickens pretty soon and I’ve went through pretty much all your chicken videos. Your very informative and you do a great job. Thanks love watching

[@pegleg7621]

I’m liking the hat Josh 👍

[@helodriver20]

Nice work Josh! 🐓

[@thebackyardlife475]

I mean it can be gross and clean/healthy at the same time. I dont think they are mutually exclusive. I gut and skin and process a deer or 3 every year. Gross every time. But important to do yourself imo. Great and informative video! Do you like the necks for a particular reason other than for the broth? Good luck with selling them!

[@thomasyerbey337]

Great video Josh 🇺🇲 WOOOOOO 🇺🇲

[@boromickfc]

Good video,watching from north east England 👍

[@miraclefarm1927]

Great set up! We have friends here in NC that process their chickens outside and sell them. They had to jus=mp through a few hoops but not bad. I'm sure you won't have any trouble. Blessings

[@bcgrittner8076]

Ah…pickled gizzards. Thank you, Granny.

[@taraharker9561]

Nice video

[@nikolauschiorgno5884]

Good looking chicken's 🍗

[@RickyVentures]

Hey Josh! Hello from Minnesota.

[@ShaneZettelmier]

I’m glad you show these videos to explain this process. I think it’s sad and a little pathetic that people on the Internet have to go off on everyone in that Google has made KZbin so touchy and picky that they have to censor everything or punish people for showing things that they aren’t comfortable with. Even if people don’t do it themselves I think it’s important for people to see where their food comes from, Like how you were talking about the chickens eating the scrap parts most people will think that that’s monstrous and unacceptable and then they go to the store and buy chicken and Tyson and all the other big companies do the exact same thing they grind the parts up and throw it in the chicken feed and every piece of chicken you ever had in your life is probably eaten other chickens and that’s just part of the reality of it and it’s not particularly pleasant but it’s not something that should be banned or people should be punished or limited from posting on KZbin. If people don’t wanna watch it they cannot watch it it’s not like KZbin is forcing you to watch these things you’re selecting them just because somebody doesn’t like it does it mean it should be banned and not available for other people who do. I don’t particularly like to watch propaganda videos with a bunch of communist trying to brainwash everybody but KZbin is fine with those. Liberals are making a show now called Karen where they’re basically having a cringe fest of liberal nonsense trying to pretend that conservatives her bunch of Karen’s out there complaining and making life miserable for everybody and that’s total nonsense they’re the Karen‘s and the ones who are trying to dictate and control with every other person does and they’re the ones on here whining and griping about videos that they don’t even have to watch. Nothing going on here is illegal there’s nothing illegal about gun videos there’s nothing illegal about a bunch of communist propaganda and there’s no reason it should be banned, just don’t watch it if you don’t want to. I don’t care if they’re a bunch of socialists on there trying to tell people a bunch of crap that’s going to destroy our country I don’t care vegans go on there and wanna demonize people who eat meat, that’s all free speech and I don’t care if people want to go make videos of burning the American flag or Nike shoes or whatever they’re protesting, just because it’s repugnant and stupid doesn’t mean they should be banned or harassed for it just don’t watch it if you don’t like it and if you wanna complain their comments that’s fine come up but nobody’s doing anything illegal cleaning a chicken is an illegal and there’s nothing morally wrong with it having a video about guns or talking about government issues is not in moral or illegal and there’s no reason people can’t talk about it and if other people don’t wanna listen to it then don’t go on your computer or mobile device get on KZbin and find those videos and start them. The control freak mentality of people on the Internet is ridiculous and KZbin is one of the biggest offenders of catering to these people and punishing completely innocent productive people doing nothing wrong in their videos demonetizing things to punish people who don’t comply with their political viewpoints, it’s ridiculous fascist like censorship, people always harassing KZbinrs for doing normal legal moral things is annoying but KZbin banning it or demonetizing people for it is just flat out discrimination and should be illegal because there are laws preventing discrimination and making it a crime. Thanks for taking the risk and putting this on here even if a bunch of crybabies complain about it and if you get demonetized or censored because of it that sucks and I’m sorry it happens.

[@joshking7100]

Great video

[@mrglock2313]

Nothing beats fresh farm chicken. I take a fresh bird whole split with seasonings and on the charcoal grill OMG

[@keithmiller6727]

Nice vidioe Allways whanted to no how practice makes perfect. 😎😎😎❤🇺🇸👍👍👍

[@James_Innes]

You could put some ice water in the tractor scoop to help the cooling process maybe.

[@mxlman26]

Hey Josh, can you show now how to do the same with fish that you have on your pond?. Thanks!

[@allanulen3809]

also some dish soap in scalder breaks down oil on birds feathers

[@TheKatangeseDollar]

In my country we clean out the intestines and fry them. Quite good with curry powder.

[@matthewclark6037]

Good stuff buddy

[@Chalz108]

I saw a pancaked chicken in the road one day and saw the other chickens run out and start eating the other one 😂

[@RickyVentures]

They like turkey too!

[@gliderydin2911]

They're garbage disposals. They'll eat anything

[@savannahrei8674]

Fascinating! I saved this video for future reference. So you buy hatched chicks in batches and raise them for how many months before processing? Or do you hatch your chicks?

[@williamcordle]

He buys pre hatched chicks I’m pretty sure he has a playlists with information in it

[@colettefurlong2088]

You raise you broilers / meat birds for 8 weeks or as big as you want to grow them

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... 👍👍👍

[@ReefMimic]

You can put the hearts on a kabob skewer and bbq them super good. Or bake them . An Asian friend of mine made a delicacy out of the gizzards . It was super rich and good . I wish I remember the name she said. U way to many you will get the squirts:(

[@kayc7838]

I can do that! Lol Best video I've seen. You calmed my nerves and I can feel the blessings from here. TY!! I'm one of those with the imagery from the family tale of an Aunt that was chased. 🤣 Is leaving the tail on just preference or is there a reason? TIA

[@ClickinChicken]

I was going to try meat chickens, never got to it. thanks for the video. maybe someday. I remember you liked the Cornish hens they have more meat compared to Red Ranger, but I'd do either, whatever I could get. But someday... :) Lots of equipment purchasing...

[@ShaneZettelmier]

Hey Josh, what’s your opinion on soaking the birds, I know a lot of people like to leave them overnight or even a full 24 hours in icewater before freezing and I know a lot of companies will actually inject packaged poultry with water. Have you ever done that and is there a specific reason that you know of why people would do that other than I think it taste better?

[@princedax77]

Reminded me of a picture that I have with chickens watching a chicken rotisserie with reality TV written across the top 😂😂😂

[@bowhuntr311]

You have done videos for all the steps. 2022 you need to do a start to finish series. I think you could make a 10-12part 2min video series. Pickup/brooder/pasture/chores x6/butcher/packaging-freezing/cooking.

[@sixoremenos]

Josh, you must watch a new series on Amazon prime called "Clarkson's farm".

[@terryeason4319]

🥚🐣🐥🐔🍗 and repeat I like the video

[@jeanpomerleau8416]

that was fun

[@petermavus4131]

Josh your becoming the Frank Purdue of KZbin

[@bbgbs1974]

Love all your videos. You said you cut the jugular. I have seen some videos where they do that same thing and a few that cut the head off. It seems easier to remove the head so I assume there is a reason you cut the jugular. Can you explain why? I am new to this so trying to understand as much as possible

[@toddsadventures1889]

Could you use a foodsave vacuum sealer to seal the birds in a bag?

[@ReefMimic]

I didn’t know you rented it all. I’d think one would own all the gear buy now.

[@solsalia]

We just did our 3 Cornish this morning. I had 5 but 1 I think died to the weather and the other must have gotten squished by at goat. The rooster was starting to crow!!! Oops It was way to long for him. I seen this video and wanted a set up like you have. It will happen eventually :).

[@marcostreet3169]

Would you please post the link to how you skin a chicken as opposed to plucking that you referred to? Great video!!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Link is at the end of the video my friend

[@juniharoon]

Do u rest ur chickens after processing them? Or do they go straight to the freezer? Do u worry about rigor mortis?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Takes them about 2 days to completely freeze and I’ve never had any issues with tough chickens.

[@williepete5585]

Are you a veteran? I like the shirt. I was in the army for 6 years. AATW.

[@curtisjackson7742]

I do like me some chicken gizzards and livers 👌🏽👌🏽

[@bnight.7996]

Yumm gizzards ❤️

[@melisaarmstrong2293]

I don’t think I would be able to do this myself. Great video though.

[@stevenpeterson8444]

no Salatin leg tuck? would you cut the wings if you were selling commercially?

[@JeffZiegler76]

So, you do not remove the oil gland? How do you remove the neck?

[@kevinanderson705]

I say: LET THEM WATCH!

[@starreyes7666]

What do you do with the feathers, heads and guts?

[@Pooch1953]

You said in the video not to remove the tail bud, I grew up hearing old timers calling that the "Preacher's Nose" or the "Pope's Nose", they didn't remove it, but they did remove the preening gland on the back of it, do you remove the gland even though you said not to remove the tail bud?

[@eddeetz493]

Having to get approved to process on farm is stupid crazy. The whole issue is you don't need to feed medicated grains to deal with pathogens from cage living. I hope you score a killer refrigeration unit for shop processing. Look into promoting Jamaica Cabins to build the intern and another lease cabin. Get pre sold animals 50 % deposit to raise until on farm harvest by owner. Charge competitive retail price for the meat that includes smoking and packaging. Throw in deer lease, small game, fishing, place to stay while for family, friends and customers. First to sign the custom grazing contract with tag # of their steer gets first choice of the cabin 3 day stay or RV campsites. You will have a wait list. Deposit revenues help build the shop, rental cabin and farm. You could easily barter slabs, wood, leases, farm goods for trades labor. 1 day labor, 2 days hunting. Gift a farm raised steak dinner in the fridge and sign the next custom grazing contract as they pick there animal, dares of hunting lease/processing. Everyone leaves with full coolers, pastures double in tonnage every year, no middlemen and smoked venison ring sausage is a game changer.

[@jenniferbell1093]

Were do you get your shrink bags

[@garmisra7841]

Do you cut the oil gland off the tail?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

dad likes to...I like to keep it...personal preference

[@garmisra7841]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer Right on. Thanks We just processed ours, thank you so much for all the valuable information! I did my 'production line' very close to yours. Worked out well.

[@thehillbillyhermit7681]

Have you seen the videos where people use a plastic tube into cavity as they shrink wrap the bird? If so, what is the purpose of that?

[@zacktube100]

I use a heat gun instead of hot water for the shrink bag and twist the bag around the straw before applying heat. The straw allows air to escape around the body when applying heat because large pockets will form otherwise. I remove the straw and then seal the twisted part for the final seal.

[@willisdockery3972]

I will lite grill send one over 😆

[@jodipirelli8600]

These are the days I don’t like being a farmer I’m not a good butcher person I like things to live and if they can’t live in produce then they live as a pet it’s just difficult for me

[@nickq615]

Josh, curious how long you leave the birds in each part of the sink to cool them down? We just processed some of ours and we went straight from the table to a cooler with ice. We let them sit there for a while before vacuum sealing them and putting them in the freezer. Also, how do you regulate the temperature on your scalder? I was able to get mine up to temp, but it seemed that even turning the propane off or the regulator down, it wanted to overheat and took forever to come back down.

[@MoovinOnEstateSales]

We had issues with that, we just added cool water from our hose and managed to get a system with no more issues - first few birds lost a lot of skin due to overheating!

[@nickq615]

@@MoovinOnEstateSales good to know! We'll give that try as we're going to be butchering the other 5 roosters we have this weekend.

[@jessmorris2243]

Get you some Victorinox brand knives. Thank me later!