We feast....

....on the BETSIES!!

And boy were they yummy! 

RIP Betsy, Betsy, Betsy, and Betsy--CAUTION!! Photos may not be suitable for all viewers!

Today marked eight weeks for our beloved Betsy's.  As you can see in the first photo, these birds were dragging their bellies and were ready for our dinner plates!  I still can't believe how fast they grew!  Andy did a great job butchering all of the chickens. Every bird was easier and easier. I helped finish cleaning them and packaging them for our freezer. 

11.5 pounds of skinless, boneless breasts, wings, and leg quarters were processed this afternoon, and Evan and Matilde seemed just fine with it!  They said their goodbyes and then asked for baby chickies. Evan watched the processing, well, all but the actual "act."  I think she understands completely now exactly why we do what we do. 

I am very excited to get new birds and start the process all over again. What an experience! 

So thirsty!

This Betsy was so thirsty!  I was having too much fun watching her try to keep all of the water in her mouth. She kept drooling. Eventually, she realized her thirst had been quenched and gave up. All of the Cornish Cross hens drink a lot more water than the egg layers.  I'm not exactly sure why. (I'm pretty sure I'll be looking that up soon.)

One of the Betsy's

That's what the girls decided on....the Betsy's. The egg layers are the Donnas, and I suppose Betsy sounded meaty enough!