not a very nice question...but....

[Nicos]

OMG....I've just realised that I'm talking about eating road kill only weeks after my favourite cat Neo was squashed on the road
Shame on me

* goes away for a sob*

[Snadger]

I wouldn't eat any of my ex bats no matter how they died! Not anything to do with becoming attached to them it's just they are bred for laying..........laying machines in effect and would be poor eating.

If I had meat birds such as light sussex, dorkings etc I certainly wouldn't waste good tucka!

[lizzylemon]

Hi Nico,

I think most areas have been covered but I suspect if a wild animal / bird killed the Hens then you probably wouldn't find much left if anything at all. But if you do and it's an old bird, hang it for a few days (like Partridge / Pheasant) as it helps tenderise the meat, but a laying bird will only have a little meat (if any as that will be the first to go when they're eaten) so it may not be worth the hassle - have a good feel of the meat areas before you do anything.

On the other hand if it's work your while, pluck downwards on the bird (skin won't tear) and try to do it in an old pillowcase - you'll be amazed at how many feathers there are and where they end up) and then clean and tidy afterward then give it a really good wash before cooking / freezing.

Or the cheats way is to pluck the breats area, cut the breats fillets off and then leave the rest - it's what's normally done for wild ducks.

P.S. When the Geese are nesting try getting close..........NOT! They are completely ferocious.