Recently raised another batch of flavored game hens for the freezer. Went with the same feed I used last time and flavored the birds with a mixture of garlic, ginger, scallions and corn. I really liked the way the last batch turned out.
Started with day old Cornish Cross birds...
Built a pvc and chicken wire pen to let the birds roam the farm, eating bugs...
I fed the birds the special feed consisting of corn ( to add fat), garlic, scallions, ginger and this time garden veggies.
I process the birds at 2 pounds or under. It takes around 6 weeks to reach this size.
Set up my home made chicken plucker....
Scald water...
Processing table...
Dispatch the game hens in one location, then dipped in the scald water to loosen the feathers...
Into the chicken plucker...
I have a hard time getting pics of the plucker in action. I spray the inside of the plucker with the water hose so the feathers wash out of the bottom of the barrel. It takes just a couple of minutes to clean one bird,
Onto the processing table where I clean the birds...
Then I chill them overnight before packaging for the freezer...
The birds weighed from 1.15 lbs to 2.1lbs.
I took a couple of them with me on a camp trip to the lake...
Made a blend of wild rice, scallions and water chestnuts...
added chicken stock and a few seasonings...
Topped with the game hens...
shoveled a few hot coals on top and let em go...
Served with the wild rice blend and some of my garden tomatoes...
These have to be my favorite birds of all time. They're so tender and moist..
I get a hint of ginger and garlic in each bite. I'm convinced the feed makes a big difference. lol
Will be raising another batch as soon as these are gone.
It's been a crazy summer. Haven't been home a whole lot. Made a trip to the north east. First time I've been up that way. The countryside was pretty. Got to eat fresh seafood and wade in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Maine.
Just returned home from a week long bluegrass festival camp out. Had a great time. Thanks J and J if you see this! lol
It's been a good summer, I received rain, the garden did well, the animals are happy and healthy.
Hope everyone had a great summer. Thanks for stopping by!
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6 comments:
That's just plain awesome... as are all of your posts.
Thanks for blogging about it.
Thanks so much Tom! Good to see ya!
Interesting to see the process from claw to table. When my dad taught me to hunt, he said if I didn't clean the game and eat it, I had no business hunting it. I cleaned and ate many a rabbit, squirrel, and quail.
Thanks Steve, good to see you!
That's a good rule to follow. If you shoot it, you clean and eat it. :)
Hope you're still smoking away. Thanks for stopping by!
Love the moveable chicken pen with wheels. Looks light enough
for one person to move easily...I have some nun friends I'll
share it with.
Next time you're in the Northeast let me know we'll put you up
here.(in Massachusetts)
Thanks so much Peggy, very kind of you!
I spent a short time in Boston but didn't get to see much. I liked what I did see though, beautiful country up your way!
Hope you're having a wonderful year. Thanks for stopping by, it's nice to see you!
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