How to Butcher Chicken Simple, Easy and Humane Step by Step instructions

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

stoneyridgeshop.com Folks thanks so much for watching today! Please...grab yourself some Stoney Ridge goodies and support the farm/channel and content! It all helps so much....Without you there would be no Stoney Ridge Farm! I appreciate you all so much!

[@mvfamilyfarm1250]

Thank you for your videos Josh. I'm a first generation small hobby farmer that was able to do 75 chickens my first time, without your videos I probably would never have grown meat birds so thank you and keep the videos coming.

[@Lovejumex]

Really appreciate you for making this teaching process very simple! 💚🔥

[@seekerbee4494]

The best chicken dispatching I've seen, especially the processing part. You explained the principles to follow (slice, not stab or cut) whether it be cutting the legs or opening the cavity to remove the intestines. Thank you for showing the different knives too.

[@sonikumari-yl2ui]

B

[@JG-iq2qv]

This is way less violent than a commercial operation- thanks for doing such good job explaining the steps in a very methodical process

[@fionen]

Great video. I'm glad you're telling people to take the whole head off. That's really the most humane way with this method. So many people are just making little slices in the neck and letting the bird bleed out. It's not as humane because they don't lose consciousness as quickly as when you sever the entire head.

[@SarahPerine]

Yes, I really want to know the difference! It does seem more humane this way. Is the other way kosher?

[@tarahs9644]

​@@SarahPerinefrom my research, yes the other way is kosher, and I've seen cutting the head all the way off, the bird's body goes into shock and will try to retain blood....I don't know if that's true or not.

[@fi7959]

@@tarahs9644 You can see in the video the body was in shock as it's still shaking in the cone afterward.

[@doomtho42]

@@fi7959 I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that that’s where the expression “running around like a chicken with its head cut off” originated. I know, I know - I’m so darn perceptive. 😆

[@patriciasimmon6854]

Very thorough video on how to get poultry ready for freezer. Like how you tell about keeping the chickens calm before butchering. There are a lot of people who have watched Hollywood movies showing a person chasing the hen around the barnyard and then using an axe and tree stump to chop off head. Funny how we have pre-conceived ideas about things. Thanks for the video.

[@BlackstoneMalone]

I use those rubber textured mats on the gutting table to keep the chickens from sliding around. Keeping the chicken in place and not sliding around helps prevent from accidentally cutting yourself. It also helps ensure accurate and efficient cuts. The last thing you want is contamination from an accidental cut due to the chicken sliding around. One cut into the intestines, gallbladder rectum ect and the entire bird is a loss. I was always taught to respect the bird giving its life to nourish our family and provide much needed meat for our survival. With this ensuring nothing goes to waste is key. That it giving its life served a valued purpose. Your process is spot on and you have a great setup. My mention of the rubber mat was just a suggestion not an indictment on how you do things. I didn't want the comment taken tge wrong way. I have no doubt you care about and respect the process as much as anyone! Great informational video! I hope more people show interest in raising their own meat birds and other animals while gaining the respect for what it takes to put meat on the table! It's easy going to the grocery store and never thinking twice! Raising the animal and then processing it yourself as a family creates a level of unity, respect and appreciation that cant be taught or obtained any other way! Keep up the great work and making these amazing informative videos for all to see!!

[@SarahPerine]

Can you please share a link to the mats you’re talking about? I’m new to this and love the suggestion 🙏🏽

[@704406bbl]

A most excellent video for processing chickens! Humane and quick and to the point. Great job! Even Joel Salatin would be proud of you! We're gearing up for doing this for next year. Folks got away from things like this and its good they're getting back into it with all the bad things going on in the country now. My wifes mother who lives in Hungary is 85 and she still does this every year.

[@careforanimals-t6d]

Killing animals is not humane, wtf are you on

[@justinotherday6199]

Don’t know how I got here. Have no use for the knowledge of dispatching a chicken, but I watched the whole thing. 😂

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

one day ya might need to know this right

[@deathshadow533]

No knowledge is ever wasted

[@charleswise5570]

We don't eat the wing tips, but save them. They make the absolute best chicken stock, because they have the highest amount of collagen of any part of the chicken.

[@jessmonroe6951]

Try making your next batch with some feet 😋 it's soooooo gelatinous and delicious

[@abovetheroses-3799]

That and the feet - but could never eat them. Chx Livers & Onions are amazing through.

[@SarahPerine]

Thanks for sharing that good info🙏🏽

[@RobertJohnson-lb3qz]

Yes, thanks for the info.

[@TheMilkMan8008]

You're missing out. I get stock, but you've got to eat the tips. Feet is the best stock cut. The tips are what we eat. They're so good. Basically, all skin with a bit of meat. Stock is better with collagen, so feet are better. There are way more collagen and basically no skin. Skin is flavor, so we eat the tips

[@sniperjay0916]

In my 50s... first time I've witnessed this fully! Loved the hog video with your pops too,thanks a million!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Glad you enjoyed it, lots more to come!

[@scottcraig77]

Has been my go to video on butchering chickens. I never enjoy taking an animals life but we get many cockerels and they feed me and my dog better than any shop bought bird. Thanks for your lesson on how to, it’s very good. ❤

[@heavyhittersgaming3759]

Well considering he failed to remove the lungs and kidneys I would reconsider.

[@JB-ChildOfYah]

I know this video is older but ive been watching it for about 6 months when we hatched 6 roos out of 8 eggs. My 1st time allowing my hen to go broody and hach eggs. I knew then that we would be processing for the 1st time. Your instructions were clear and concise. I can't tell you how much we appreciate you and your thorough video. We now have 6 in the freezer to feed our family. Thank-you! 🙏

[@joshthomas2406]

Did our first harvest today. Started with 53 bird in the mail 9 weeks ago. Ended up with 41 after losing 2 in the first 3 days and the rest to hawks over the last 2 weeks. What an experience! Thanks so much for this and many more of your great videos Josh! They have all help out so much! We are just west of you in the Mountains. Would love to chat some time.

[@jmcbc1963]

I want to thank you for a concise illustration. You've taken all the 'myth' out of it, I appreciate you.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

pretty easy isn't it!

[@loveandpeace2765]

Thank you for doing this with respect and explaining the process to people.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Folks I put together a page on Amazon for you with all of the equipment needed for this process and more for butchering, canning, cooking here: a.co/f7GR42b (Stoney Ridge Amazon Affiliate Page)

[@mvfamilyfarm1250]

Hey Josh I was just checking out your link to the amazon page and just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to try and show people a better way of life, not relying on big stores for food and having a positive attitude. Thank you and keep it up.

[@bruyerecharles6013]

This is the best chicken processing video. I have watched so far we are starting to raise our own meat chickens this year, and this really helped and cleared up a lot of questions we had. Definitely will be following your channel!!😊

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

awesome! Welcome aboard!

[@leahness3588]

I'm getting ready to butcher my Cornish cross next weekend. Good timing for the video!!

[@xeroized-l1y]

I used your video for processing chickens today, worked excellent! I didn't have the plucker you do so I had to do it by hand but using the skin off the toe trick worked perfectly!

[@tomcox5063]

Thanks so much for this perfect video. This is the next project on my homestead and this was just awesome to watch!

[@lisawhite857]

Love this. Quick to the point training. I appreciate the details of temp and timing. Also the cut out and away points.

[@silvergrizzly316]

Folks, this is the best way to process your birds. 👍👍 Good stuff right there, Josh.

[@funnypicturess]

Thanks man, just processed my first chicken with this video. 9 Left

[@4davebert]

I’ve been processing my own birds for a few years now, learned everything from you 🙏 Including don’t bother with other breeds just stick to the Cornish X Only thing I added was a foot pedal switch on the plucker, super handy!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

awesome! And you're right...the other breeds eat twice as much, gain twice as slow and dress out half the size

[@padmanrocks9449]

Thank you for demonstrating the steps in an easier way. ❤

[@BillsCountrysideAdventures]

Magical unicorn hippy kidda stuff, nearly spat my drink out laughing. Great video josh, be good to see you in UK soon.

[@ritafirestone761]

Great video. Will save and watch numerous times. Thankyou!!!!

[@jimbo8635]

Thanks man, doing this for the first time in a few weeks.

[@Monkchip]

Fabulous chicken processing demonstration!

[@lorrainedavis6954]

Hi cute pie you done a great job on letting us see how you process those chickens I had fun watching💓💋🙏😍😀🌹👍

[@waltsimonson2556]

I'm really glad I found your channel , this is my second video ,and I just want to say thank you.

[@michaeln807]

Great step by step instruction. Love your videos Josh! Keep em coming...

[@SarahPerine]

Dog whining while you were talking about the organs💚 great video!! Thanks so much!!!

[@itsmandy8732]

Awesome and thorough step by step video! We have never done this before and unfortunately TC accidentally gave us a Cornish X instead of a leghorn. We have discussed entering the meat chicken world but weren’t prepared for this lol but we’re willing to do it. My biggest fear is it not being humane for her because we’re so new to this 😩 she is 3 weeks old at this point, she is MASSIVE and I realized she was a meat bird a couple days ago. So now doing research and trying to figure it out best we can! Like you said, not excited about having to dispatch her, but we are “excited” to see if this is a good way to provide fresh food for our family!

[@paulaglad2855]

Today after having done this myself i understand the cones alot better we dont have any in sweden so we just used the axe and a stump the flaping is hard to control and with a cone it would not be as bad! The video is really good at explaing everything in detail but keeping it short i have watched it 3 times twice alone and once with my dad

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

awesome! Glad you enjoyed it and learned a bit! Josh

[@charlesvaughn5055]

enjoyed the information about the chickens, have a great week

[@19JEFFRO67]

Yes Sir the Pope's nose. Been calling that my whole life. We raise chickens, ducks, Guinea fowl,Turkey's, quail, meat Rabbits, goats, and a few Hogs. Love your Videos 👍

[@denniscleveland669]

Nicely done, Josh! Simple and to the point.

[@precisionfencing8690]

Great content, greetings from Ireland ,we love your videos, thanks Josh.

[@da1shark]

Great video showing the entire process!

[@nussysnake9933]

Absolutely fascinating, excellent video! Skills like this are something everyone should learn, god bless you and your family 😃

[@Token_Civilian]

Great episode. Defiantly one to save and come back to in the future.

[@godofstones]

Always enjoy your chicken butchering video!

[@dbales8288]

Awesome video!!! I've processed chickens and ducks here at my home. I've done it by myself with no plucker. That seems to be the most time consuming for me, but it can be done. One day, I hope to get a plucker. Then I'll be able to process more than just a few at a time.

[@tompowers1308]

im here uears later, your sign off of 'what the hippie chaneles say' is enough for me, bravo.

[@darwynkeeton4665]

just butchered my first rooster! Your instructions made it easy! Thank you!

[@personalised-knives]

Thank you very much that was most informative and has helped me immensely. Keep up the good work!

[@dorothycrowder8577]

Thanks for the class. I have about 12 roosters that will need to be processed soon. Your class has so many good points that I'll use when the time comes.

[@halsnyder296]

So much easier than the last time I processed chickens…. 45 years ago? Thanks!

[@ubarukenchi3559]

Thank you, I'm just starting to homestead and just got some chickens to freezer

[@springsy6210]

great video josh. most butcher vids dont seem to ever have good camera angles. well done man

[@tjjewell4115]

Outstanding Video Josh, thanks so much.

[@ozarkliving5970]

Great video and information! We appreciate your videos!

[@jorgitojorgie605]

Super helpful. Just butchered my first bird and was so clueless 😅 thanks for the information good sir

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

glad to help

[@Nick-nw6zg]

Man those aerial shots are awesome Josh you really worked hard and come a long way with that farm it looks great‼️🤘🏼

[@PkorniBoi]

This was very interesting to watch! Well explained and executed.

[@ryanboardman9549]

Thank you for doing these videos. Very informative

[@KCFarms910]

Thank you!! I am planning on trying it for the first time soon and I have no idea how to.

[@markb.1259]

Very, VERY Informative Josh... THANK YOU!!! Note #1- Ensure gutting cutting board tables and boards are LEVEL!!! haha It was all you could do to keep that bird from sliding off the board... LoL!! 🐔

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

in a perfect world right lol

[@elgatol4203]

Great instructional video

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... Josh nice to see you, thank you for showing your video homestead chickens duck farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐣🐥🐕🐈🐐🐄🐖🐝🌱🏡🎥👍👍👍

[@tekoathorndiketv5173]

Thank you!!! Tomorrow is our first time😮

[@stefanpuszka2835]

I loved this vid I learnt a lot over here (UK) we call it the parsons nose.

[@tauraisithole358]

Great content as always.

[@shaymousshay]

GREAT VIDEO BUDDY. THATS THE WAY TO DO IT WELL DONE ***** ;) 👊🙏😇❤🐇

[@shelleysimmons2804]

Awsome video

[@ДмитрийАкимов-т3б]

Тоже поначалу раздавливал печень. Рука большая, не удобно) Но вроде приловчился, теперь норм делаю.

[@jamesohlew4919]

Thank you very much for this in-depth and "make it seem" simple video. 1 question, would all the remins be fit to feed to you dogs rather than have to disregard? thank you

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I wouldn't feed raw chicken guts and feathers to my dog

[@jamesohlew4919]

@ Haha yes feather definitely not, I just wasn’t sure about the insides. Thanks for the reply and the great content you supply mate.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I wouldn't feed chicken guts to my dog...now a hog..yes! But not my dog

[@davidmontecalvo9211]

Man oh man I can’t wait to buy land and get a homestead going.

[@Timbertrussminifarm]

I find it funny when people make mean comments on Facebook about me processing chickens… But then they have no problem going to the store and buying it

[@fergspan5727]

I did learn thanks

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

glad this was helpful to ya!

[@thincut309]

Nice bird!

[@fruityngosa499]

U are a very skilled butcher

[@scottsmith6846]

Hey Josh thank you for the video I remember when you did it last time too and the time before that but I watched it once again that way I can smash a like button for you once again woo

[@terrynewman4609]

Thanks .we are processing ours today

[@samanabouei7233]

Nice thanks

[@mikeygreen8309]

Bro I live in New York I’ll probably never use this but thanks for such an informative video

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

glad ya enjoyed it an hopefully learned something

[@stormmountain2521]

best one yet!!

[@lungienxumalo3244]

Subscribed thanks a lot!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Thanks for the sub!

[@MikeBius]

Awesome demonstration

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

glad ya enjoyed it Mike

[@goldblueberries326]

Thx again...

[@henhero]

Thanks for simple explanation ❤

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

glad it helped ya

[@fromthegroundup841]

Great vid and thanks for spreading the importance of self sufficiency. Channels like yours inspired me to produce my own meat on my 125x85 in the subs. I have 16 chickens for on property egg and meat production. I'll finally start hatching out my own meat birds this year now that my breeding stock selection is done (never really done) and they have matured. I know this is old but from my experience it's not a good idea to immediately remove the head (or do cervical dislocation). In CV, Not opening a vein, or in removing the head thus cutting the wind pipe, causes the heart to stop too quickly. (In the case of CV the blood has nowhere to escape and pools in the neck), and in both cases the birds don't bleed out properly. Ever had drums or wings with lots are darkness in the meat near the bone? That's a bird that was not bled out properly, and that's what can happen with this method of dispatch. It does not hurt anything but does have an affect on the flavor of the meat.

[@israelnemitz8323]

Fantastic Video!

[@AberrantArt]

Great video, straight to the point. QUESTION: does that plastic leech any chemicals when heated or frozen?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

these are BPA free bags

[@AberrantArt]

@StoneyRidgeFarmer @StoneyRidgeFarmer BPS and BPF are common replacements for BPA which are also harmful to health. There's also pthalates that disrupt the endocrine system. BFR's for flame retardant plastic. Are any of those used in the plastic? All are found to be toxic and harmful.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

how else are you going to store a chicken in the freezer? You do understand that every drop of water you drink comes out of a plastic pipe right? We're surrounded by this garbage....petroleum based everything...from medications to water pipes and even clothing. Heck...even the cutting board here is plastic. Everything is toxic and harmful at some level. I'm not sure what or why you're asking this...or what you're getting at....but, we most certainly don't wanna make ourselves sick or harm ourselves...but for storage in the freezer, we have to put the bird in a container to keep it from freezer burning my friend. Hard to escape plastics unfortunately

[@cassiesmiley2910]

Great video! Thank you for this info!

[@DrueHamman]

Don't let the hippie channels tell you what to do! 😂😂😂😂

[@Gamingland-s]

😅😅on your video is the first one in ghana 🇬🇭

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Very interesting

[@darkerthanyou6384]

Thank you. Super useful.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrealuvshouse]

My mom grew up during the depression, in the 1920s-1930s, when everyone- even city dwellers - had chickens, rabbits, and sometimes even a pig in their city back yards for meat. Before there were chicken huggers, they were dispatched on a rock or a tree stump. Then you see the reason for the phrase “running around like a chicken with its head chopped off”. It’s weird. They’re not suffering. They’re dead. But they do run around a few seconds.

[@SarahPerine]

When you cut off the head.. do you have a preferred angle? Side to side or front to back?

[@Ffmeagle]

Thank you very much for this. Super helpful. When you are cutting off the legs are you cutting through the joints or bone?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

cut at the joint not the bone

[@danielalamo2075]

Awesome video! I have about 10 roosters I need to butcher. I'm just not sure when I'll have time. They are not meat birds. But they are wild and free range. So I imagine they will be a little tough and lean.

[@martatompkins4184]

Thanks for a very instructive video. I do have a question. We just had a hawk attack our flock it didn't get any but one of them broke it's neck trying to get away. We went ahead and processed it but I was wondering if it will be any good after all the stress of running away from the hawk. It also was about 45 minutes before we could get it processed so not sure if it will be any good. Either way your video helped and it was a good practice bird. It was just 18 weeks old and we weren't planning on processing any until the next batch of chicks but didn't want this to be wasted. It may just be good for bone broth but I wanted and expert opinion. Thanks for all your info.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I don't think eating an animal that's been attacked or killed by any other critter is a good idea...but the only way to know is to try it my friend....buzzards gotta eat too...typically if I lose a bird and it's not consumable I'll put it in the pond and the fish/turtles will eat it

[@richardstevens3461]

Nothing beats growing and eating your own chickens. Just let em know that processing is a lot nicer in the spring or fall... ;)

[@LeviHeatonIII]

Thanks Brother. Can you do one with rabbits for us?

[@MyRcGoSlow]

Thanks for making the video bro

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

No problem, glad it helps!