Three stages of Chickendom.
These hens started out in April as 25 one day old chicks, the meat chicken version, not the egg laying version. They were cared for in a brooder with a nice warm heat lamp through the cold nights, losing only 2 birds. They were fed and watered and looked after in the chicken coop under some shady trees for about 8 or 9 weeks, and then it was time to say goodbye.
It was a good life, but a short life.
They had a ride to the processor, a Mennonite business, and turned into prepared roasting hens for the freezer, each around 7lb in weight. This one was marinated overnight in a marinade of salt, some sugar, olive oil, garlic, an assortment of herbs and spices and sauces. Secret recipe, my son won't divulge the ingredients.
Split down the backbone, and "spatchcocked" on the BBQ, then after a couple of hours on a very low flame and lots of basting with a home made BBQ sauce......
...... the best BBQ juicy chicken ever tasted!
Apologies to any vegetarians/vegans reading this.
I am a meat eater and your barbecued chicken looks very tasty yet I do feel sad for the chickens at the same time. I definitely couldn't be a farmer.
ReplyDeleteThese particular chickens were cared for very well. Better than the ones in the grocery store.
DeleteThat chicken sure looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was. Melt in the mouth good!
DeleteIt's been awhile since I've had anything barbecued.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a barbeque so it was a treat for me.
DeleteAt least they had a good life. Eating meat is one thing (which I do) but the life some have bothers me.
ReplyDeleteThese chickens were well cared for.
DeleteI prefer my chicken in smaller unrecognisable pieces Shammi 😀
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot smaller when it got to my plate.
DeleteWe are moving ever more in the direction of vegetarianism, and although we still eat some meat, I definitely could not eat chickens I had "known".
ReplyDeleteThese chickens were bred and raised with the sole purpose of becoming dinner in an effort to be semi-self sufficient, and to avoid trips to the grocery store to purchase inferior meat. They were raised with kindness. They had happy lives for meat chickens. No cruelty. Expert slaughtering by a Mennonite business.
DeleteThis looks absolutely wonderful...nothing like fresh meat and having it done right...yummm...
ReplyDeleteSue
There were 11 of us to be fed... it was twins 10th birthday party. Not much left after that!
DeleteWell done on raising your own chickens for eating! Years ago, we used to keep cattle and sheep just for eating (we had a small farm-lot). The children made a pet of one beast so we had to call it Beef Steak just to remind them it was being kept for food. They were quite happy to eat it later on :)
ReplyDeleteActually not me, they were YoungerSon's chickens. There are also 8 "pet" chickens, all with names. I think they will have to pass away from old age, can't imagine "roast Frenchie" or "BBQ'd April".
DeleteYour BBQ chicken looks so good.
ReplyDeleteTasted good too!
DeleteBBQ chicken looks mouth-watering. It's been a while since I've had BBQ. Good thing chickens were well cared for.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! We had a few years of raising, then marketing chickens we purchased as tiny chicklets. We also had a flock whose eggs we sold as well as some other varieties that were basically pets -- bantams and fullsize colorful fighting cocks but we didn't fight them. We put duck eggs under our bantams one year greatly distressing the mother hen when they reached an age a small water pool attracted them.
ReplyDeleteYour barbecue chicken looks delicious. I rarely get a whole chicken nowadays just for me, but will buy chicken thighs – though I bet your chickens are a lot tastier than those bought at the store.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you go?
ReplyDeleteHope all is okay with you? Been missing you, Mxx
ReplyDeleteHey, where are you? Are you coming back? Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI'm back..... got the new laptop working at last.
ReplyDelete