A dog and its pig - or is that a pig and its dog?

Various chicken pieces after processing.

Paul and his pigs

Day on the farm...

Well, we survived the rooster killing extravaganza, but nine roosters did not survive. I'm proud that I managed to only pick roosters and didn't mistake any hens for roosters. One can tell, I'm assured, by the presence of their tiny little testicles, visible upon being dismembered. I guess that makes sense. I didn't particularly like it, but it wasn't exceedingly gruesome. I would not do it on my own. The Man and The Boy pitched right in. Once the chickens were skinned, I felt a little better about it. I have photos of the whole processing process, but this is a family blog ...

There actually may be two or three more in the pen, in addition to McNugget, who we are keeping; if they don't get too aggressive, I'll not take action against them. It seemed that the Rhode Island Red were the more aggressive roosters, and I think we got all but one. There may be a New Hampshire Red Rooster (from what were supposed to be all pullets - or hens) and there's at laest one more Barred Plymouth Rock rooster, but they seem to be very gentle. What I thought were Polish Crested are going to turn out to be Black Australorps, I think, but both are hens, I hope, as the roosters are supposed to be more aggressive. I have to say that somehow it looks like two Buff Orphingtons got into the mix. Were they mis-matched at the hatchery? And I think one may be a rooster, although Kay thought it was a large hen.

If I do this again, I will prefer New Hampshire Red to the Rhode Island, and I really like the Plymouth Barred Rock because they are gentle. If I do this again, I'll insist on pullets only - altough the Rhode Island Reds were supposed to be pullets, and we got almost half roosters. It's pretty much a crap shoot. Fried chicken anyone?