Just finished my first butchering session!!! Video Included

[zee]

Hey guys, I called my brother over and I butchered two rabbits, and he butchered one. I AM SOO EXCITED!! I was a little apprehensive at first, but, I handled it like a CHAMP!!! inkbunny: Now, I know that I could ABSOLUTELY do it! I followed the instructions from the video that Bowbuild did on youtube. Now, for cooking the meat. I'm gonna wait a few days until the excitement wears off. Oh, by the way, do I have to let the meat "Rest" in the fridge soaking in salt water for a few days, or could I just cook it right away?

 

[AmysMacdog]

Congrats Zee! We usually rest ours just over night. Enjoy!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Congrats, Zee! I always recommend having someone with you if only for moral support the first time you butcher an animal- it makes you feel like less of a "monster". :roll:

I just bag mine up and rest in the fridge for a few days.

If you want to process and eat a rabbit the first day, you need to have your cooking method preheated, whether that is boiling water, the oven, or BBQ. You need to work quickly and when rinsing the carcass use tepid water. Cold water hastens the onset of rigor.

We have only eaten older rabbits on processing day, and they go straight into a pot of boiling water. We usually make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or soup with them.

 

[zee]

Thanks guys! Thanks for the tip MSD.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Congrats!!!! Let us know how dinner goes!!!!!!

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

I rest mine until the carcass loosens up again after rigor, when it is floppy instead of stiff when you handle it. Mine usually take at least a few days if not more.

 

[Marinea]

Woohoo Zee!! Congrats on that huge step.

You go girl.

 

[Mickey328]

Congrats! Isn't it great to find out that all your efforts didn't come to naught? LOL. I was so worried that after all the investment of time money and emotion I'd choke when push came to shove. I couldn't do the "deed"...DH took care of that, but the actual butchering and cooking didn't bother me at all. Of course, it may not have been a fair test since the rabbit in question was nasty and aggressive and we didn't like her to start with

Hope dinner was excellent!

 

[zee]

Thanks guys!! Here is the video. My sister in-law didn't get the very beginning, but, she got most of it. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgqyAlFFvac

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Looks like you did great!!!

 

[tailwagging]

:yeahthat:

 

[zee]

Thanks guys!

 

[hippiechick]

Great video! Hope I do ok my first go around, but that won't be for awhile. Looks a lot easier than butchering a chicken!

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Great video! Hope I do ok my first go around, but that won't be for awhile. Looks a lot easier than butchering a chicken!

OMG YES. I hate processing poultry, be it chickens, ducks or pheasants. Birds suck. Rabbits are so much easier and less messy and NO PLUCKING.

 

[AmysMacdog]

:yeahthat: Most definately!!!

 

[hippiechick]

I butchered a really nasty rooster we had and it was terrible, I hated all those feathers! Lol

 

[DitchDoc]

Beautiful job, zee! Well done!

 

[cnichols]

Gratz zee! I've discovered that once you do the first one, it gets easier.

I did my first rooster today. I didn't bother plucking, just skinned him. Even so it still took me about 30 minutes to finish him.

I'll be working on our last 3 buck rabbits this week, since DH is finally back to working after his surgery. He doesn't like processing the animals. He's just an ole softy. But that's okay, I don't mind doing it!

 

[nascarwc88]

Yes, nice job Zee, thanks for posting the video.

 

[Flemishstar]

great job ZEE!!!!!!!! >>> I hang mine from a tree or a support beam to pull the fur off etc. its a lil easier!!