Today we killed and dressed and jointed the three cockerels, which are nearly 19 weeks (I miscalculated before) – a little early but two of them were crowing so much it was bothering me, nevermind the neighbours (who have not complained yet, and we would like it to stay that way!). A little skinny but not bad. the breast meat is being marinated for tikka, the rest in the freezer until the rayburn is lit again, and made into soup.
We dagged Arabella, one of our sheep – mindful of flystrike still being around Why is it however much you wash your hands after handling sheep.. you still smell of sheep…
And introduced the pigs to the concept of the trailer. They were unimpressed. ho hum
It sounds like you had a more productive day than me!
I tried poached chicken for the first time with one of my bantam cockerels and most tasty he was too. I’d never poached a chicken before but couldn’t think what else to do with him, poor thing! Chicken broth is my new way forward 🙂
Sorry to hear about the pigs and the trailer … did they at least go in?!
Good luck for tomorrow…not that you will need it..you’ll be fine. : )
Part of me wants the woodburner lit so I can make stock/jam/chutney etc with the carcasses, fruit and veg that are ensuring the freezers are full to brimming. The other part of me still isn’t ready to bid farewell to warmer weather though.
And the smell of sheep poo – I know it well – mind you I think duck is worse. I picked up what I thought was a clean feed bowl in the semi-dark last night ……. and my hand stunk of the offending stuff all evening despite vigorous scrubbing. Yuk.