Cogburn

This was our rooster, Cogburn. What was I thinking naming him after a gruff, drunk character in a John Wayne western?
He was a great rooster, and a good pet for awhile. He was handsome and very large. He grew taller than my knee. He called his ladies in each night. He made sure everyone was accounted for. Even the ones that escaped into the neighbors yard. He would call them, and retrieve them if he had to.
After an accidental incident with Luke and a stick, Cogburn decided children were a threat to him and the flock. So, he began attacking Luke. Luke came in 2 times with large bruises, scratches and bites bleeding down his legs. Once Cogburn had chased him 1 acre down the driveway biting and clawing the whole way. Poor Luke.
Our family loved rooster and wanted him to be friendly. He couldn't be a free range rooster anymore. So we gave him treats, held him and tried to desensitize him to Luke and Daphne. It looked like it was working. He wasn't growling at them and would happily take food from their hands.
On one particular day, Daphne leaned down to give the hens a treat. Cogburn growled and leaped across the chicken yard straight at her face. Thankfully, Daphne was not in the pen. If she had been in the pen...I shiver thinking about it. Let's just say we would have been in the emergency room. After that, he growled and (if given the opportunity) attacked anyone who came near. Including egg collectors.

So the final solution was to slaughter Cogburn. Growing up I was taught how to process chickens. So it wasn't new by any means. We hung Cogburn upside down (duct tape) until he passed out. Then it was no work at all to do the rest. Not a struggle or a headless running chicken! Thank goodness.


Life lessons. A very interested pupil here. I think she'll help me if I need to do this again.

I don't have pictures of taking out feathers and insides. I was pulling feathers with Luke. There was no one to take pictures. This was a great opportunity to explain the necessity of not being silly around animals of any kind. To be mindful that they may not understand ones intent. It took a good 45 minutes to gut, feather and clean chicken. Luke was a ready hand the entire time. He helped out with almost everything.

From pen to pan in less than 24 hours. Very tasty!