During our time at we had the opportunity to butcher chickens. Since we raise chickens and butcher them here on the homestead we were familiar with the process, but couldn't turn down the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from a fellow homesteader. We had the option to either pluck or skin our chickens. We almost always choose to skin because it is so much easier, especially when you are doing a large batch.
Here is butchering his chicken.
had a really nice cone for us to use.
is dunking her chicken in boiling water. This makes plucking much easier.
and
preparing to skin their chickens.
I just realized I didn't get a picture of a finished chicken. However, I got an awesome picture of some of the chicken feet. Now, I know many people throw these away, but they are LOADED with nutrition. I peel them, clean them really good (I generally pull the nails off), and then simmer them in water (you can add veggies if you'd like). They make such delicious, nutritious, healing broth.