Chicken feet how do you cook those exactly? 😂

[CaroleW]

I have a few saved up in the freezer - I don't know if I could pickle them and actually eat them (mental block) so I just use for broth (food as medicine - it can sub for high priced supplements for people or pets).

I've gotten the scalding part down. That's when I know it's time to pluck when I test the skin of the feet and a wing tip feather and both come off.

 

[Brown Chick]

Tomorrow’s the day. I already feel bad about it.

 

[Parront]

It took me a little practice, but if you get a good scald on the feet the outer layer comes right off like pulling off a sock -- leaving them perfectly clean.

I then stuck the feet into the crockpot along with the other parts I was using in this recipe: https://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-chicken-stock-219819

I have no idea how one cooks them for eating.

This is what I do, I save the feet in the freezer, then re-scald them and pull off the toenails and the skin. I cook them in the pressure cooker 1/2 hour and let it cool, then open it and add the other parts, backs & necks, if I have some. Pressure cook another 1/2 hour, and pick the bones out. I just got a super cool strainer from the free pile at Habitat for Humanity, a big old-fashioned perforated aluminum cone. I have plans to use it on the next batch, might have to show some photos. It is soooo much easier to take photos with a helper, @CaroleW !

 

[Parront]

I have a few saved up in the freezer - I don't know if I could pickle them and actually eat them (mental block) so I just use for broth (food as medicine - it can sub for high priced supplements for people or pets).

I've gotten the scalding part down. That's when I know it's time to pluck when I test the skin of the feet and a wing tip feather and both come off.

I have eaten and like pickled pigs feet . . . anything can be eaten if you are determined! (Or hungry enough)

 

[sdm111]

Gross, nope

 

[ladybrasa]

Tomorrow’s the day. I already feel bad about it

It’s okay to feel bad; it’s shouldn’t feel good taking a life! Don’t feel guilty though. Killing and eating other animals is part of nature/food chain. The birds you have have had a far better life than countless others, especially in factory farming settings before they are butchered. It’s not pleasant and hard to stomach the death part. Afterward, their life essence/spirit (according to your beliefs) is not there anymore, and you have meat to process. As long as you aren’t squeamish, processing afterwards is actually interesting, IMO. One thing to help mentally process, is to utilize as much of the bird as you can, as a thank you for their sacrifice. Sounds like you are doing just that, looking to use the feet! I haven’t overcome mental blocks myself to use those yet …

Please let us know how it goes for you and for your use of the feet!

 

[Parront]

It’s okay to feel bad; it’s shouldn’t feel good taking a life! Don’t feel guilty though. Killing and eating other animals is part of nature/food chain. The birds you have have had a far better life than countless others, especially in factory farming settings before they are butchered. It’s not pleasant and hard to stomach the death part. Afterward, their life essence/spirit (according to your beliefs) is not there anymore, and you have meat to process. As long as you aren’t squeamish, processing afterwards is actually interesting, IMO. One thing to help mentally process, is to utilize as much of the bird as you can, as a thank you for their sacrifice. Sounds like you are doing just that, looking to use the feet! I haven’t overcome mental blocks myself to use those yet …

Please let us know how it goes for you and for your use of the feet!

X's 2 on this. I look at it as the boys have had a far better life than most male chicks, hatcheries dispose of them in many ways, non of them very good. Mine get to have a great chicken life for ~ 12 to 14 weeks more or less. They are not afraid, they eat great food every day and are not over-crowded. They are used to being handled and one day is just their last day.

 

[Brown Chick]

We are not butchering today after all. Hubby woke with a crick in his neck. Looks like tomorrow. Glad to know those feet can be frozen since we will probably be exhausted after cleaning 10 birds.

 

[ladybrasa]

we will probably be exhausted after cleaning 10 birds

Yeah, there’s plenty folks that can bust through dozens of birds in a day, but I can attest, starting out, 10 birds will take you most of the day!

 

[Parront]

Yeah, there’s plenty folks that can bust through dozens of birds in a day, but I can attest, starting out, 10 birds will take you most of the day!

Just 2 birds can take that much time when you are learning!